What was the primary conflict during the Seven Years War?

The primary conflict during the Seven Years War was largely centered around territorial disputes between Britain and France. This global conflict, which lasted from 1756 to 1763, involved a variety of theaters, including North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and India, but at its core was about the struggle for control of land and resources. In North America, this conflict is often referred to as the French and Indian War, where British colonists and their Native American allies clashed with French forces and their own indigenous allies over the Ohio River Valley and other territories.

Territorial aspirations stemmed from the desire for economic expansion, trade routes, and strategic advantages—but the initial and most salient cause of hostilities was the competition for land. The outcome of the war significantly redrew the map of colonial possessions, particularly in North America, where Britain emerged as the dominant colonial power, significantly diminishing French influence.

While the other options hint at factors that played a role in the historical landscape of Europe at the time, they do not capture the essence of the primary conflict in the Seven Years War, which was fundamentally about territorial control. Economic disputes were certainly involved, as territorial acquisition was often tied to economic gain, but they were not the central cause of military engagement.