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HistoryMaria Theresa had drawn close to Empress Elizabeth of Russia. Thus the pos- sibility loomed of a great continental alliance composed of Russia, Austria, and France, which would seal Frederick s fate. Frederick was worried about the Austro-Russian relationship and thus was receptive to British advances motivated by a desire to protect Hanover, which was also ruled by the British monarch. Thus Britain and Prussia signed a neutrality agreement, the Treaty of Westminster, which much irritated France, already at war with the British overseas. Kaunitz exploited this irritation to obtain French acceptance in 1756 of a defensive treaty with Austria. prev next |