<P> Byng was recalled to Britain and court - martialled . There was violent public outrage about the loss of Menorca, mostly directed against Newcastle . He tried to deflect the blame by emphasising the alleged cowardice of Byng . After being tried by his peers, the admiral was eventually executed by firing squad for "not doing his utmost ". By that time Newcastle and his government had fallen . It was replaced by a weaker administration headed by the Duke of Devonshire and dominated by William Pitt . </P> <P> The major war in continental Europe that the British had hoped to avoid exploded in August 1756 when Frederick the Great attacked and overran the Austrian ally Saxony . Having occupied it he then launched a similarly bold invasion of Bohemia . In both cases the Prussians caught their Austrian enemies by surprise, and had used this advantage to full effect, capturing major objectives before Austrian troops had been fully mobilised . Having besieged Prague, an Austrian counter-attack and a defeat at the Battle of Kolin forced the Prussians back . </P> <P> Britain found itself bound by the Westminster Convention and entered the war on the Prussian side . Newcastle was deeply reluctant to do this, but he saw that a Prussian collapse would be disastrous to British and Hanoverian interests . The Anglo - Prussian Alliance was established, which saw large amounts of subsidy given to Prussia . Some supporters of George II were strong advocates of support for Prussia, as they saw it would be impossible to defend his realm of Hanover if they were to be defeated . Despite his initial dislike of Frederick, the King later moved towards this viewpoint . </P> <P> Within a short time Prussia was being attacked on four fronts, by Austria from the south, France from the west, Russia from the east, and Sweden from the north . Frederick fought defensive actions trying to blunt the invaders, losing thousands of men and precious resources in the process . He began to send more urgent appeals to London for material help on the continent . </P>

How much debt did the british have after the french and indian war