Great Northern War

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

Swedish victories

From the very beginning of the Great Northern War Sweden suffered from the inability of Charles XII to view the situation from anything but a purely personal point of view. His determination to avenge himself on enemies Northern overpowered every other consideration. Again and again during these eighteen years of warfare it was in his power to dictate an advantageous peace. The early part of the war consisted of a continual string of Swedish victories under Charles XII. Denmark was defeated in the summer of 1700 in what was to be the first major battle of the war, and so beaten that she could not participate in the war for a number of years. Russia was next, and suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of Narva in November.

Related Topics:
Sweden - Charles XII - Charles XII - Battle of Narva

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After the dissipation of the first coalition against him by the peace of Travendal and the victory of Narva, the Swedish chancellor, Benedict Oxenstjerna, rightly regarded the universal bidding for the favor of Sweden by France and the maritime powers, then on the eve of the War of the Spanish Succession, as a golden opportunity of ending this present lean war and making his majesty the arbiter of Europe. But Charles, intent on dethroning Augustus of Poland, held haughtily aloof. Five years later (September 24, 1706) he did, indeed, conclude the Polish War by the peace of Altranstadt, but as this treaty brought no advantage to Sweden, not even compensation for the expenses of six years of warfare, it was politically condemnable.

Related Topics:
Peace of Travendal - Benedict Oxenstjerna - France - War of the Spanish Succession - Augustus of Poland - September 24 - 1706 - Peace of Altranstadt

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