Great Northern War
As a result of the brilliant leadership of Gustavus Adolphus during the 30 Years War, Sweden became the dominant military and commercial leader of Northern Europe, effectively controlling the Baltic Sea and the surrounding areas. This led to conflicts between the traditional opponents of Sweden; Denmark, Russia, and Saxony-Poland. In 1799, Peter the Great of Russia, wanting an outlet to the Baltic Sea, formed a grand alliance between these three powers, and in 1700 The Great Northern War began.
What looked like an easy victory for the alliance turned into disaster. Denmark was quickly dealt with through a lightening offensive in which Swedish forces landed on Jutland, and removed Denmark from the war. In August of 1700, Charles XII of Sweden then turned against the Russians. Outnumbered 5 to 1, the Swedes crushed the Russian forces at Narva. Instead of following up this massive victory against the Russians, and bringing Russia to terms, the young Swedish king turned his forces against what he considered was his last opponent; Augustus of Saxony-Poland. During 1701 and 1702, the Swedes fought and defeated the forces of Saxony-Poland, and Poland was severed from Saxony. A pro-Swedish king was installed in Poland, but Saxony stubbornly continued its fight against Sweden. The war between Sweden and Saxony continued until 1706 when Saxony was forced to terms.
While the Swedes were fighting against Saxony, Peter the Great took that opportunity to reform and rebuild his army. The Swedish king believed the Russians to be a sullen defeated enemy and no threat. Instead he faced a renewed and energized Russia with a new and overwhelming army. During the years after Narva, Peter the Great rebuilt his army, and brought reforms to the entire nation that made Russia a more powerful country. Work began on St. Petersburg, Peter’s gateway to the West, and all internal dissent was crushed. By 1707 Sweden looked to the East and was dismayed at what it saw. In January of 1708, a Swedish army began an offensive against Moscow. The Swedes won many battles, but could not bring the Russian army to defeat. The Russians continued to retreat burning all in their wake, leaving nothing for the Swedes to eat. After suffering many inconclusive defeats, the Russians counter-attacked at Lesnaia, catching the Swedish supply train off-guard. The Swedes’ supplies were either captured or destroyed. Then an unusually harsh Russian Winter delivered the most punishing losses of the war against the Swedes. During the winter, the Swedes continued to fight and defeat the Russians, but after each battle the Swedes were fewer and weaker. The Russians on the other hand were able to make up all losses and then some. The Swedes were hoping for another dramatic confrontation like Narva, but it never came. Instead the dogged Russians continued to fight on. Finally in July of 1709 at the Battle of Poltava the Swedes were dramatically defeated. Charles XII was forced to escape into Ottoman held territories where he found temporary protection and support.
After the Battle of Poltava, the alliance between Saxony, Denmark and Russia was resumed. The Danes invaded Sweden, Prussia and other German states entered the war against Sweden, and Saxony reinstated its claim on Poland. The Swedes fought back without their king, and surprised the alliance with their resilience. Charles XII escaped from Turkey, and managed to return to Sweden. He was intent on defeating the formidable alliance against him: Russia, Denmark, Saxony-Poland, Prussia and Hanover. Sweden was not able to obtain any allies. Seeing the hopelessness of fighting a defensive war against such forces, Charles decided to launch yet another offensive, this time against Norway. In 1716, he attacked Norway hoping to discourage the allies from attacking Sweden, and the Danes in particular by threatening their northern possessions. Although the Norway campaign was not a dramatic success for Sweden, it did divert an attack upon Sweden by the combined armies of the alliance. Furthermore, the alliance was showing signs of strain. The Russians were upset at being excluded from many actions, and the other allies were becoming hesitant at the apparent strength of Sweden. What had appeared a year before to be a certain victory against a weakened Sweden now seemed a more dangerous and questionable affair. Charles XII embarked upon a mission to rebuild and restore the empire he had lost in the fighting.
By 1718, Charles XII of Sweden had rebuilt his forces, and launched another offensive against Norway. During the fighting he was killed while besieging a fortress. Without the absolute power of Charles XII, the Swedes lacked the will to continue the fight. Various treaties were signed, and by 1721 the war was over. Sweden had lost most of its foreign possessions, and was no longer the dominant power in the Baltic Sea region. That distinction now rested with Russia.