Swedish Empire

Quick Facts: Who was Swedish Empire?

Subject:

Swedish Empire

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A period (1611–1721) when Sweden dominated the Baltic Sea as a major European power.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Swedish Empire, referred to in Sweden as the Great Power Era (Swedish: stormaktstiden), was the period in Swedish history spanning much of the 17th and early 18th centuries during which Sweden was a European great power that exercised territorial control over much of the Baltic region. During this period, it also held territories on the North Sea including overseas colonies, such as New Sweden. The beginning of the period is usually taken as the reign of Gustavus Adolphus, who ascended the throne in 1611, and its end as the loss of territories in 1721 following the Great Northern War. After the death of Gustavus Adolphus in 1632, the empire was controlled for lengthy periods by part of the high nobility, such as the Oxenstierna family, acting as regents for under-aged monarchs. After its victories in the Thirty Years' War and the subsequent Peace of Westphalia Sweden was granted territories in northern Germany.

Career & Major Achievements

Sweden reached the height of its power during the Northern War of 1655–1660, when its primary adversary, Denmark–Norway, was neutralized by the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658. Denmark–Norway was forced to give up a third of its territory to save the rest. Although the reign of Charles XII would see initial Swedish victories in the Peace of Travendal (1700) and the Treaty of Altranstädt (1706), he would go on to lead a campaign in Russia that would end in a decisive defeat at the Battle of Poltava. The Russian victory put an end to Sweden's territorial expansion, and by the time of Charles XII's death in 1718 the Empire had been severely diminished both territorially and militarily. Finland was ceded to Russia in 1809, and Sweden's last remaining continental territory (Swedish Pomerania) was ceded to Denmark in exchange for Norway following the Napoleonic Wars.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Sweden emerged as a great European power under Axel Oxenstierna and King Gustavus Adolphus. As a result of acquiring territories seized from Russia and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, as well as its involvement in the Thirty Years' War, Sweden found itself transformed into the leader of Protestantism. Sweden's rise was supported by a rapidly expanding metals economy. By the early seventeenth century, Sweden had become northern Europe's leading exporter of iron and copper; together the two metals accounted for nearly 63% of national exports in 1637 and more than 80% in 1685. Under Gustavus Adolphus, the Crown also exploited the Stora Kopparberg copper mine at Falun, then the largest copper mine in Europe, using its revenues to help finance the king's political and military ambitions.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1611: 1611 Milestone — The beginning of the period is usually taken as the reign of Gustavus Adolphus, who ascended the throne in 1611, and its end as the loss of territories in 1721 following the Great Northern War.
2. 1632: 1632 Milestone — After the death of Gustavus Adolphus in 1632, the empire was controlled for lengthy periods by part of the high nobility, such as the Oxenstierna family, acting as regents for under-aged monarchs.
3. 1637: 1637 Milestone — By the early seventeenth century, Sweden had become northern Europe's leading exporter of iron and copper; together the two metals accounted for nearly 63% of national exports in 1637 and more than 80% in 1685.
4. 1655: 1655 Milestone — Sweden reached the height of its power during the Northern War of 1655–1660, when its primary adversary, Denmark–Norway, was neutralized by the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658.
5. 1700: 1700 Milestone — Although the reign of Charles XII would see initial Swedish victories in the Peace of Travendal (1700) and the Treaty of Altranstädt (1706), he would go on to lead a campaign in Russia that would end in a decisive defeat at the Battle of Poltava.
6. 1718: 1718 Milestone — The Russian victory put an end to Sweden's territorial expansion, and by the time of Charles XII's death in 1718 the Empire had been severely diminished both territorially and militarily.
7. 1809: 1809 Milestone — Finland was ceded to Russia in 1809, and Sweden's last remaining continental territory (Swedish Pomerania) was ceded to Denmark in exchange for Norway following the Napoleonic Wars.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Swedish Empire

True or False: “The Swedish Empire maintained its peak territorial extent throughout the entire 17th century.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While it reached great heights, the empire's power waned significantly after the Northern War, culminating in major losses by the early 18th century.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Swedish Empire