Swedish Empire
(Text by Duane R. Hurst © 2013)
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SWEDISH LINKS: Significant Event: Battle of Narva in 1700 AD Battle of Nördlingen in 1634 AD Vasa Warship of 1628 AD Main Cities: Stockholm Time: 1611-1721 AD Language: Swedish Personage: Charles XI; Gustavus Adolphus Religion: Christianity Related Country: Sweden Brief History: I have included only a few items concerning the history of this empire. A good source for more details can be found on Wikipedia or in history books. |
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PRE-EMPIRE:
In 1397 AD, King Gustav Vasa formed the Kalmar Union, which was a precursor to the Swedish Empire. The Union (1397-1523 AD) united the Scandinavian lands of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Its primary function was to curtail German expansion in the Baltic region. EARLY EMPIRE: In 1611 AD, Gustavus Adolphus became king and embarked on empire-building. He refused to restore the Kalmar Union and broke with the Papacy. He supported Lutheran reformers and confiscated land held by the church. In 1535 AD, Sweden ousted the monopolistic Hanseatic League traders. During the Thirty Years War (1618-1648 AD), Gustavus won an unexpected victory in the Breitenfeld. He later died in the Battle of Lützen, but Sweden continued on course to becoming a significant modern empire. GREAT NORTHERN WAR: (1700-1721 AD) Russia under Tsar Peter successfully vied with Sweden and eventually established a port at Saint Petersburg. Other rulers who fought against Sweden in the war were: Frederick IV of Denmark-Norway and Augustus II of Saxony-Poland-Lithuania. They expected to overpower the young king, Charles XII, however, a greatly outnumbered Swedish army defeated Russian troops in the Battle of Narva. In 1709 AD, Russian forces won a decisive victory over a Swedish army in the Battle of Poltava. Russia gained eastern provinces in the Treaty of Nystad in 1721 AD. Sweden remained a regional power, but the Great Northern War ended the Swedish Empire. |
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© Page Publisher: Duane R. Hurst
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