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3 Oct 2014

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This Sceptred Isle

Black Hole of Calcutta, Minorca and the Seven Years War
In 1756 Britain and Prussia went to war against France, Russia, Austria, Sweden and Saxony. This war, known as the Seven Years War was the first world war and the beginning of the British Empire.

Pitt became Britain's war secretary - Frederick the Great declared "England has long been in labour, but at last she has brought forth a man". From his office in Cleveland Row Pitt designed and won a war which extended from India in the East to America in the West.

In 1757 Pitt was made Prime Minister. Minorca had been an affront. Calcutta caused outrage. The Indian leader had marched on Calcutta and imprisoned those who had not previously escaped in the Black Hole, a room measuring 14ft by 18ft. There were too many in too small a space and most of them died of suffocation in the hot Indian night. The British wanted revenge.

General James Wolfe
General James Wolfe
GENERAL JAMES WOLFE (1727-1759)

  • Fought with George II at Dettingen and in 1746 at Culloden and in the Seven Years War (1756-1763)
  • Took part in successful attacks on Rochefort and Louisbourg and rose to be a major-general
  • Attacked Quebec but was killed in the final battle on the Heights of Abraham at which the French were defeated
  • There is a notable monument to Wolfe at Westerham in Kent

did you know?
Admiral Byng, who commanded the fleet defending Minorca, was shot for cowardice on the quarter-deck of his flagship.

Black Hole was the common name for a military detention cell right up to the 19th Century. The Black Hole of Calcutta was the detention cell in Fort William in Calcutta.

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Chronology
1727 George I dies
George II becomes king
1751Death of Frederick Prince of Wales
1754 Tom Pelham, Duke of Newcastle becomes Prime Minister
1756Pitt the Elder becomes Secretary at War
Seven Years' War starts
Black Hole of Calcutta
1757 Militia Act
Calcutta recaptured
1760 George II dies
George III becomes king
Wolfe dies at Quebec
1761 Pitt the Elder falls from power

WILLIAM PITT'S YOUNG GENERAL AND ADMIRALS
General James Wolfe
General Jeffrey Amherst
General Henry Conway
Admiral Richard Howe
Admiral Augustus Keppel
Admiral George Rodney


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