Swedish overseas colonies

Quick Facts: Who was Swedish overseas colonies?

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Swedish overseas colonies

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A history of Swedish overseas colonial holdings spanning from the 17th to the late 19th century.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Sweden controlled a number of colonies outside Europe between 1638 and 1878. In the Americas, Sweden founded the colony of New Sweden (1638–1655) along the Delaware River, and briefly controlled Esequibo (1732–1739) in South America and the Caribbean island of Tobago (1733). Sweden also governed the island of Saint Barthélemy for nearly a century (1784–1878). Sweden made Saint Barthélemy a free port and it served as a hub in the Atlantic slave trade. The island of Guadeloupe was a personal possession of King Charles XIV John from 1813 to 1814.

Career & Major Achievements

In West Africa, Sweden held several forts on the Swedish Gold Coast from 1650 to 1663. In South Asia, the Swedish East India Company founded a trading post at Porto Novo in 1733, but it was destroyed a month later by French and British forces. Sweden established colonies in the Americas in the mid-17th century, including the colony of New Sweden (1638–1655) on the Delaware River in what is now Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, as well as two possessions in the Caribbean during the 18th and 19th centuries. The colony of New Sweden was founded in 1638 by the Swedish South Company, a consortium of Swedish, Dutch and German business interests. Other European nations were establishing colonies in the New World and building successful trading empires at the same time, and Sweden also sought to expand its own influence by creating a tobacco plantation and fur-trading colony.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The colony was located along the Delaware River with settlements in modern Delaware (e.g., Wilmington), Pennsylvania (e.g., Philadelphia) and New Jersey (e.g., New Stockholm and Swedesboro) along locations where Swedish and Dutch traders had been visiting for decades. At the time (until 1809) Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden, and some of the settlers of Sweden's colonies came from present-day Finland or were Finnish-speaking. The Swedes and Finns brought their log house design to America, where it became the typical log cabin of pioneers. The Swedish settlers established a trading relationship with the Susquehannock, and supported them in their successful war against Maryland colonists. New Sweden was conquered by the Dutch Republic in 1655 and incorporated into the Dutch colony of New Netherland, although the Swedish and Finnish settlers were allowed local autonomy.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1638: 1638 Milestone — Sweden controlled a number of colonies outside Europe between 1638 and 1878.
2. 1650: 1650 Milestone — In West Africa, Sweden held several forts on the Swedish Gold Coast from 1650 to 1663.
3. 1655: 1655 Milestone — New Sweden was conquered by the Dutch Republic in 1655 and incorporated into the Dutch colony of New Netherland, although the Swedish and Finnish settlers were allowed local autonomy.
4. 1733: 1733 Milestone — In South Asia, the Swedish East India Company founded a trading post at Porto Novo in 1733, but it was destroyed a month later by French and British forces.
5. 1784: 1784 Milestone — Sweden also governed the island of Saint Barthélemy for nearly a century (1784–1878).
6. 1809: 1809 Milestone — At the time (until 1809) Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden, and some of the settlers of Sweden's colonies came from present-day Finland or were Finnish-speaking.
7. 1813: 1813 Milestone — The island of Guadeloupe was a personal possession of King Charles XIV John from 1813 to 1814.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Swedish overseas colonies

True or False: “Did Sweden's control over Saint Barthélemy last longer than its time in any other single overseas colony?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Yes, the 94-year duration of the colony at Saint Barthélemy far outstripped that of any other Swedish overseas possession.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Swedish overseas colonies