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.
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.