The Seven Years’ War was a global conflict between the major European powers, provoked by long-standing rivalries. Although the main conflict started in 1756, discord had rumbled since 1754, with skirmishes between French and British troops in North America. Unlike the War of the Austrian Succession the previous decade, Britain allied with Prussia and France allied with Austria. Anglo-French rivalry spilled over to colonies in North America and India as both scrambled to secure trade routes and gain territory.