Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle leaves many questions unsettled 281 Dupleix pursues his aggressive policy 281 He is recalled from India 282 His policy abandoned by the French 282 Agitation in North America 283 Braddock's expedition, 1755 284 Seizure of French ships by the English, while at peace 285 French expedition against Port Mahon, 1756 285 Byng sails to relieve the place 286 Byng's action off Port Mahon, 1756 286 Characteristics of the French naval policy 287 Byng returns to Gibraltar 290 He is relieved, tried by court-martial, and shot 290 Formal declarations of war by England and France 291 England's appreciation of the maritime character of the war 291 France is drawn into a continental struggle 292 The Seven Years' War (1756-1763) begins 293 Pitt becomes Prime Minister of England 293 Operations in North America 293 Fall of Louisburg, 1758 294 Fall of Quebec, 1759, and of Montreal, 1760 294 Influence of Sea Power on the continental war 295 English plans for the general naval operations 296 Choiseul becomes Minister in France 297 He plans an invasion of England 297 Sailing of the Toulon fleet, 1759 298 Its disastrous encounter with Boscawen 299 Consequent frustration of the invasion of England 300 Project to invade Scotland 300 Sailing of the Brest fleet 300 Hawke falls in with it and disperses it, 1759 302 Accession of Charles III. to Spanish throne 304 Death of George II. 304 Clive in India 305 Battle of Plassey, 1757 306 Decisive influence of Sea Power upon the issues in India 307 Naval actions between Pocock and D'Aché, 1758, 1759 307 Destitute condition of French naval stations in India 309 The French fleet abandons the struggle 310 Final fall of the French power in India 310 Ruined condition of the French navy 311 Alliance between France and Spain 313