Great Northern War

:Not to be confused with the Northern Wars (1655–1661) nor the First Maori War (1845-1846)

Background

Between 1560 and 1660, Sweden created a Baltic empire centered on the Gulf of Finland and comprising the provinces of Karelia, Ingria, Estonia, and Livonia. During the Thirty Years' War Sweden gained tracts in Germany as well, including Western Pomerania, Wismar, the Duchy of Bremen, and Verden. At the same period Sweden conquered Danish and some Norwegian provinces north of the Sound (1645; 1660). These victories may be ascribed to a good training of the army, which was far more professional than most continental armies, and could maintain much higher rates of fire due to constant training with their firearms. However, Sweden was unable to support and maintain her army when the war was prolonged and the costs of warfare could not be passed to occupied countries.

Related Topics:
Baltic - Gulf of Finland - Karelia - Ingria - Estonia - Livonia - Thirty Years' War - Germany - Pomerania - Wismar - Duchy of Bremen - Verden

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1617 Sweden's gains in the Treaty of Stolbovo had deprived Russia of direct access to the Baltic Sea, and internal strife during the first half much of the 1600s meant that they were never in a position to challenge Sweden for these gains. Russian fortunes reversed during the later half of the 17th century, notably with the rise to power of Peter the Great, who looked to address the earlier losses and re-establish a Baltic presence. In the late 1690s, the adventurer Johann Patkul managed to ally Russia with Denmark and Saxony-Poland, both of whom had also lost territory to Sweden, and in 1700 the three powers attacked.

Related Topics:
Treaty of Stolbovo - Baltic Sea - Peter the Great - Johann Patkul

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~