Which conflict marked a shift in the British approach to fighting by starting in the colonies and expanding to Europe?

The Seven Years War marked a significant shift in the British approach to conflict as it began in the American colonies and eventually expanded into a global war involving Europe and other territories. This war, which lasted from 1756 to 1763, is often seen as the first true "world war," as it encompassed not just battles fought in North America but also those in Europe, the Caribbean, West Africa, and India.

Initially, the conflict was rooted in territorial disputes between British colonists and the French in North America, leading to events like the skirmish at Fort Duquesne. As the war progressed, the scale of the conflict grew, prompting involvement from various European powers and leading to battles on multiple continents. The British government's approach evolved in response to the need for greater military coordination, the mobilization of colonial resources, and alliances with various indigenous groups.

The outcomes of the Seven Years War were significant, leading to the Treaty of Paris in 1763, which expanded British territorial claims in North America and contradicted the previously adopted policy of salutary neglect. This war also set the stage for future tensions between Britain and its colonies, as the costs incurred during the conflict brought about new taxation and regulation, ultimately influencing the American Revolutionary War