During the Seven Years' War, Britain's success was largely down to William Pitt the Elder, the Secretary of State for the Southern Department, who devised the strategy which allowed Britain to secure control of most of France's colonies.
Yet Pitt would ultimately resign from office in 1761, after the Cabinet refused to support his plans for war with Spain, who were preparing to declare war on Britain anyhow in support of France. This was not the only reason why Pitt resigned - since his ascension, George III had been preparing to get Lord Bute to form a Government, and so Bute and his supporters were working to ensure that Pitt was somehow dismissed from office.
So, what would have happened if perhaps George II lived for several years longer, or Prince Frederick lived long enough to take the throne, and the Cabinet agreed to support Pitt's plans for war with Spain. Would Britain secure more territory at the end of the war? Would Prussia, whom Pitt supported far more than his successors in Government, also come out of the conflict better off?
Yet Pitt would ultimately resign from office in 1761, after the Cabinet refused to support his plans for war with Spain, who were preparing to declare war on Britain anyhow in support of France. This was not the only reason why Pitt resigned - since his ascension, George III had been preparing to get Lord Bute to form a Government, and so Bute and his supporters were working to ensure that Pitt was somehow dismissed from office.
So, what would have happened if perhaps George II lived for several years longer, or Prince Frederick lived long enough to take the throne, and the Cabinet agreed to support Pitt's plans for war with Spain. Would Britain secure more territory at the end of the war? Would Prussia, whom Pitt supported far more than his successors in Government, also come out of the conflict better off?