Treaty of Åbo

Quick Facts: Who was Treaty of Åbo?

Subject:

Treaty of Åbo

Known for:

Peace treaty ending the Russo-Swedish War of 1741–1743, establishing Russian control over Finland.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Treaty of Åbo, or the Treaty of Turku, was a peace treaty signed between the Russian Empire and Sweden in Åbo (Turku) on 18 August [O.S. 7 August] 1743 in the end of the Russo-Swedish War of 1741–1743. By the end of the war, the Imperial Russian Army had occupied most of Finland, prompting Field Marshal Trubetskoy and Chancellor Aleksey Bestuzhev to demand the application of uti possidetis principle in this case.

Career & Major Achievements

By acquiring Finland, Russian politicians aspired to move the Swedish border considerably to the north, thus reducing the danger of Swedish attack on the Russian capital, Saint Petersburg. In the hope of gaining independence, the Finnish estates offered the ephemeral throne of their country to Duke Peter of Holsten-Gottorp, the heir apparent to the Russian Crown.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Another party at the Russian court, represented by pro-Swedish Count Jean Armand de Lestocq and Peter's Holsteinian relatives, proposed to return Finland to the Swedes in recompense for having his uncle, Adolf Frederick of Holstein-Gottorp, elected as heir to the throne of Sweden.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1743: 1743 Milestone — 7 August] 1743 in the end of the Russo-Swedish War of 1741–1743.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Treaty of Åbo

True or False: “True or False: The Treaty of Åbo was primarily motivated by the Russian desire to apply the *uti possidetis* principle to secure its northern borders.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text explicitly states that Russian politicians aspired to move the Swedish border considerably to the north by acquiring Finland, which was based on the *uti possidetis* principle.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Angelica Kauffman — Historical peer (Born in 1741) (1741): Swiss history painter renowned for her successful careers in London and Rome.
• Antonio Vivaldi — Historical peer (Died in 1741) (1741): Master of the Baroque concerto, Vivaldi shaped modern violin and programmatic music.
• Alessandro Cagliostro — Historical peer (Born in 1743) (1743): Italian occultist and self-styled magician, known for European court associations.
• Anna Laetitia Barbauld — Historical peer (Born in 1743) (1743): Prominent English poet, essayist, and literary critic of the Enlightenment and Romantic eras.

Frequently Asked Questions about Treaty of Åbo