Battles & Campaigns · 1762
Battle of Burkersdorf (1762)
Burkersdorf, present-day Poland
What happened
After Empress Elizabeth of Russia died, the new tsar Peter III made peace with Prussia and sent troops to help it. When Catherine took the throne, she ordered the Russians home, but Frederick persuaded their commander to stay nearby as a threat while he attacked. The Austrians did not know the Russians had left the war, and Frederick won.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The victory let Prussia recover most of Silesia from Austria. It came in the last year of the war.
What came next
Peace talks were already under way, and the Treaty of Hubertusburg was signed on 15 February 1763.
Did you know?
The Austrians were unaware that the Russian troops facing them were no longer at war.
Timeline
- 5 January 1762Empress Elizabeth of Russia dies.
- 15 May 1762Russia makes peace with Prussia.
- 21 July 1762Battle of Burkersdorf.
- 15 February 1763Treaty of Hubertusburg.