North War (1700-1721)

If you say that war is the cause of evil, then peace will be their cure.

Quintilian

The Northern War between Russia and Sweden lasted 21 long years from 1700 to 1721. Its results were very positive for our country, because as a result of the war, Peter managed to “cut a window to Europe.” Russia has achieved its main goal - to gain a foothold in the Baltic Sea. However, the course of the war was very ambiguous and the country had a hard time, but the result was worth all the suffering.

Causes of the Northern War

The formal reason for the start of the Northern War was the strengthening of Sweden's position in the Baltic Sea. By 1699, a situation had developed in which almost the entire coastline of the sea was under Swedish control. This could not but cause concern to her neighbors. As a result, in 1699, the Northern Alliance was concluded between countries concerned about the strengthening of Sweden, which was directed against Swedish rule in the Baltic. The participants of the Union were: Russia, Denmark and Saxony (whose king was also the ruler of Poland).

Narva embarrassment

The Northern War for Russia began on August 19, 1700, but its beginning for the allies was simply nightmarish. Taking into account that Sweden was ruled by a child, Charles 12, who was barely 18 years old, it was expected that the Swedish army did not pose a threat and would be easily defeated. In fact, it turned out that Charles 12 was quite a strong commander. Realizing the absurdity of a war on 3 fronts, he decides to defeat his opponents one by one. Within a few days, he inflicted a crushing defeat on Denmark, which effectively withdrew from the war. After this it was Saxony's turn. August 2 at this time was besieging Riga, which belonged to Sweden. Charles II inflicted a terrible defeat on his enemy, forcing him to retreat.

Russia was essentially left in a one-on-one war with the enemy. Peter 1 decided to defeat the enemy on his territory, but in no way took into account that Charles 12 had become not only a talented, but also an experienced commander. Peter sends troops to Narva, a Swedish fortress. The total number of Russian troops is 32 thousand people and 145 artillery pieces. Charles 12 sent an additional 18 thousand soldiers to help his garrison. The battle turned out to be fleeting. The Swedes hit the joints between Russian units and broke through the defenses. Moreover, many foreigners, whom Peter valued so much, fled to the enemy’s side. Russian army. Modern historians call this defeat the “Narva embarrassment.”

As a result of the Battle of Narva, Russia lost 8 thousand people killed and all its artillery. It was a terrible outcome of the confrontation. At this moment, Charles 12 showed nobility, or made a miscalculation. He did not pursue the retreating Russians, believing that without artillery and with such losses, the war was over for Peter’s army. But he was wrong. The Russian Tsar announced a new recruitment into the army and began to quickly restore artillery. Church bells were even melted down for this purpose. Peter also began reorganizing the army, since he clearly saw that at the moment his soldiers could not fight on equal terms with the country’s opponents.

Battle of Poltava

In this material we will not dwell in detail on the course of the Battle of Poltava. because it's historical event described in detail in the corresponding article. It should only be noted that the Swedes were stuck in a war with Saxony and Poland for a long time. In 1708, the young Swedish king actually won this war, inflicting a defeat on Augustus 2, after which there was no doubt that the war was over for the latter.

These events sent Karl back to Russia, since it was necessary to finish off the last enemy. Here he met worthy resistance, which resulted in the Battle of Poltava. There, Charles 12 was literally defeated and fled to Turkey, hoping to persuade it to war with Russia. These events brought a turning point in the situation of the countries.

Prut campaign

After Poltava, the Northern Union was again relevant. After all, Peter inflicted a defeat that gave a chance for overall success. As a result of this, the Northern War continued with Russian troops capturing the cities of Riga, Revel, Korel, Pernov and Vyborg. Thus, Russia actually conquered the entire eastern coast of the Baltic Sea.

Charles 12, who was in Turkey, began to even more actively persuade the Sultan to speak out against Russia, because he understood that a great danger loomed over his country. As a result, Turkey entered the war in 1711, which forced Peter's army to loosen its grip on the North, since the Northern War now forced him to fight on two fronts.

Peter personally decided to conduct the Prut campaign to defeat the enemy. Not far from the Prut River, Peter's army (28 thousand people) was surrounded Turkish army(180 thousand people). The situation was simply catastrophic. The king himself was surrounded, as well as all his associates and Russian army in full force. Türkiye could have ended the northern war, but did not do so... This should not be considered as a miscalculation of the Sultan. In troubled water political life everyone catches soya fish. Defeating Russia meant strengthening Sweden, and strengthening it very strongly, making it the strongest power on the continent. For Turkey, it was more beneficial for Russia and Sweden to continue to fight, weakening each other.

Let's return to the events that brought the Prut campaign. Peter was so shocked by what was happening that, when sending his ambassador to negotiate peace, he told him to agree to any conditions except the loss of Petrograd. A huge ransom was also collected. As a result, the Sultan agreed to peace, under the terms of which Türkiye would get back Azov, Russia would destroy Black Sea Fleet and does not prevent the return of King Charles to Sweden 12. In response to this, Turkey completely released the Russian troops, in full equipment and with banners.

As a result, the Northern War, the outcome of which seemed predetermined after the Battle of Poltava, received new round. This made the war more difficult and took much longer to win.

Naval battles of the Northern War

Simultaneously with the land battles, the northern war was also fought at sea. Naval battles were also quite massive and bloody. An important battle of that war took place on July 27, 1714 at Cape Gangut. In this battle, the Swedish squadron was almost completely destroyed. The entire fleet of this country, which took part in the battle of Gangut, was destroyed. It was a terrible defeat for the Swedes and a magnificent triumph for the Russians. As a result of these events, Stockholm was almost completely evacuated, as everyone feared a Russian invasion deep into Sweden. In fact, the victory at Gangut became the first major naval victory of Russia!

The next significant battle also took place on July 27, but already in 1720. This happened near the island of Grengam. This naval battle also ended in an unconditional victory for the Russian fleet. It should be noted that the Swedish flotilla included English ships. This was due to the fact that England decided to support the Swedes, since it was clear that the latter could not hold out on its own for long. Naturally, England’s support was not official and it did not enter the war, but it “kindly” presented its ships to Charles 12.

Nystad Peace

Russia's victories at sea and on land forced the Swedish government to enter into peace negotiations, agreeing to virtually all the demands of the winner, since Sweden was on the verge of complete defeat. As a result, in 1721, an agreement was concluded between the countries - the Peace of Nystad. The Northern War was over after 21 years of fighting. As a result, Russia received:

• territory of Finland to Vyborg
• territories of Estonia, Livonia and Ingermanland

In fact, Peter 1 with this victory secured his country’s right to access the Baltic Sea. The long years of war paid off in full. Russia won an outstanding victory, as a result of which many political tasks of the state that had been facing Russia since the time of Ivan 3 were solved. Below is detailed map northern war.

The Northern War allowed Peter to “cut a window to Europe,” and the Treaty of Nystad officially secured this “window” for Russia. In fact, Russia confirmed its status as a great power, creating the preconditions for all European countries to actively listen to the opinion of Russia, which by that time had already become an Empire.

After the Peace of Tilsit of 1807, two huge gaps remained in Europe in Napoleonic Continental blockade of England. In the south of Europe, Spain and Portugal did not participate in the blockade of the British Isles, in the north - Sweden. If Napoleon could cope with Spain and Portugal on his own, then with Sweden things were more difficult. The Swedish king Gustav IV had a great dislike for Napoleonic France, and no amount of persuasion could force him to break the alliance with England. In order to defeat Sweden, which lies across the Baltic Sea, the French needed to conduct a major landing operation against it. Given the supremacy of the British fleet at sea, this operation could have ended in disaster for them.
To persuade Gustav IV to the Continental blockade, the French emperor needed the help of Russia, which had a land border with Sweden. This position of Napoleon provided Alexander I with the opportunity to seize Finland from Sweden and thereby eliminate the centuries-old threat to Russia’s northern borders. The reason for the outbreak of military action against the Swedes was the refusal of their king to enter into an alliance with Russia against England. Hoping for British help, Gustav behaved defiantly. For example, he returned to the Russian emperor highest order Andrew the First-Called, writing that he could not wear the order that Bonaparte had. Meanwhile, Sweden was not ready for war. Its forces, scattered across the vast expanses of Finland, numbered only 19 thousand people. The Russian emperor took advantage of this.

Campaign of 1808. On February 9, 1808, Russian troops under the command of General Buxhoeveden (24 thousand people) crossed the Swedish border into Finland and began military operations. Thanks to the surprise of the attack and the lack of Swedish forces, by April the Russians managed to occupy most of the Finnish territory (up to the Uleaborg area) and block about a third of the Swedish army (7.5 thousand people) in Sveaborg. 26 April Sveaborg (largest naval base Sweden in the Gulf of Finland) capitulated. At sea, Russian landings occupied the Åland Islands and the island of Gotland.
The rest of the Swedish troops, led by General Klingspor, managed to avoid encirclement and retreat without significant losses to the position towards Uleaborg. A partisan movement broke out in Finland against Russian troops. Large territory and the actions of the partisans required the Russians to devote significant forces to the establishment of garrisons and logistical support. This war was fought primarily by small detachments (from 2 to 5 thousand people), and there were no major battles.
In April, after dispersing forces across vast forested and swampy areas, only 4-5 thousand soldiers approached the Uleabog positions of the Swedes. This allowed General Klingspor to create a numerical superiority here and launch a counteroffensive. Due to lack of strength and poor knowledge of the terrain, the Russians suffered defeats at Revolax and Pulkkila in April. The remnants of the defeated units barely escaped the encirclement and retreated to the south. These failures caused an increase in the activity of Finnish partisans against Russian troops, who had to withdraw to the southern part of Finland, to the Tammersfors - St. Michel line. The poor performance of the commissariat forced the troops to actually turn to grazing. For example, in the summer, due to delays in food delivery, soldiers and officers often had to eat mushrooms and berries.
At the same time, the Anglo-Swedish fleet became active at sea. In early May, the Russians lost the Åland Islands and the island of Gotland. Baltic Fleet could not seriously resist the Anglo-Swedish forces. Senyavin’s squadron, returning from the Mediterranean Sea to the Baltic, was blocked and then captured by the British in the port of Lisbon in August 1808. Under the terms of capitulation, Senyavin handed over his ships to them for storage until the end of the war.
The situation for the Russians in Finland became threatening in May, as a 14,000-strong English corps under the command of General Moore arrived to help the Swedes. With the support of the fleet, the Swedes could begin active offensive operations. But the English corps was soon transferred to fight French troops in Spain, where England had more significant interests. As a result, equilibrium was established on land. At sea, the Anglo-Swedish fleet reigned supreme, blocking the Russian fleet on the coast of Estonia. However, sabotage by the British against the port of Revel and an attempt by the Anglo-Swedish fleet to land a 9,000-strong force in southern Finland were repulsed.
By August, Russian troops in the Finnish theater of operations were brought to 55 thousand people. against 36 thousand people. from the Swedes. On August 2, the 11,000-strong corps of General Nikolai Kamensky 2 went on the offensive, which defeated Klingspor's troops in the battles of Kuortane, Salmi (August 20-21) and Orovaise (September 2). These victories brought a turning point in the course of the war. In September, at the request of the Swedish side, a truce was concluded. But Alexander I did not approve it, demanding that the Russian command clear all of Finland from the Swedes. In October, Russian troops launched a general offensive. Having reached Torneo (Tornio), in the area of ​​the Finnish-Swedish border, they occupied the main part of Finland. In December, General Knorring was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian troops instead of Buxhoeveden.

Campaign of 1809. Alexander I sought a peace with Sweden that would force it to recognize Finland's entry into the Russian Empire. The Russians could only persuade Gustav IV to accept such conditions on Swedish territory. Therefore, Alexander I ordered the start of a winter campaign with the goal of invading Sweden across the ice of the Gulf of Bothnia. In winter, the English fleet was powerless to prevent this operation.
Her plan was drawn up by General Kamensky 2nd. It provided for the movement of three corps to Sweden. One of them, under the command of General Shuvalov, moved along the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia, through Torneo. The other two walked on the ice of the bay. The corps under the command of General Barclay de Tolly was heading across the ice from Vasa to Umeå. To the south (from Abo through the Åland Islands to the area north of Stockholm) the corps of General Bagration advanced. Knorring, skeptical about this enterprise, delayed its implementation in every possible way. Only the arrival of the tsarist representative, General Arakcheev, made it possible to speed up the Ice Campaign, which glorified this war.

Åland expedition (1809). The Swedes were most impressed by the actions of Bagration's corps (17 thousand people), which crossed the ice of the Gulf of Bothnia to the Aland Islands and the shores of Sweden on March 1-7, 1809. First, the Russians moved to the Aland Islands, which were defended by the Swedish corps (6 thousand). people) and local residents (4 thousand people). The ice campaign of the Russian army took place in difficult conditions. Not wanting to be discovered, the soldiers did not make fires and slept directly in the snow. Having reached the Aland Islands across the ice, Bagration’s detachment captured them in battle, capturing 3 thousand people.
After this, an advance guard was sent to the shores of Sweden under the command of General Yakov Kulnev. Before the speech, the general told his soldiers: “The campaign to the Swedish shores will crown all your labors. Have with you two glasses of vodka per person, a piece of meat and bread and two garnets of oats. The sea is not scary for those who trust in God!” On March 7, Kulnev’s detachment reached the Swedish coast and occupied the city of Grislehamn, 70 km from Stockholm. Soon, with great difficulties, Barclay de Tolly’s corps overcame the icy expanses, which on March 12 reached the Swedish coast and occupied Umeå.
The entry of Russians into Sweden caused a political crisis there. A coup d'etat took place in Stockholm. Gustav IV, who opposed peace with Russia, was overthrown. The Duke of Südermanland (later Charles XIII) became regent. The new Swedish government made proposals for a truce. General Knorring, who was afraid of breaking up the ice, concluded a truce and recalled the units of Barclay de Tolly and Kulnev from Swedish territory.
However, Alexander I did not want to hear about the truce. He needed a peace that confirmed Finland's attachment to Russia. The Emperor removed Knorring from command and ordered General Barclay de Tolly to lead the troops. But by that time the spring melting of the snow had begun, and there could be no talk of any new invasions of Sweden by ice. Now all hopes were pinned on the northern corps of General Shuvalov (5 thousand people), which was moving along the coast. It was he who ultimately managed to end this war victoriously.

Surrender of the Swedes at Kalix and Skellefteå (1809). While the glorious corps of Bagration and Barclay overcame the icy expanses, Shuvalov acted on the northern coast of the Gulf of Bothnia against the Swedish detachment of General Grippenberg (7 thousand people). Shuvalov's units occupied Torneo and followed the retreating Swedes to Kalix. Meanwhile, on March 12, Barclay de Tolly's corps reached Umeå, behind Grippenberg. Upon learning that his escape route was cut off, Grippenberg laid down his arms in Kalix.
After the truce was canceled, Shuvalov's corps, which now remained the only one on Swedish territory, again went on the offensive along the coast. At Skellefteå his path was blocked by a Swedish corps under the command of General Furumark (5 thousand people). Shuvalov decided on a bold roundabout maneuver. To reach the Swedes' rear, General Alekseev's group moved across the ice of the bay, bypassing Furumark's positions and cutting off his path to retreat.
The operation was fraught with enormous risk, since by that time the opening of the ice had already begun. The troops walked literally knee-deep in water. People crossed the ice holes on bridges, or even on boats. The guns were transported disassembled on sleds. Near Skellefteå itself, the ice had by that time moved almost a kilometer away from the shore, and the Russians had to make a significant detour, risking being carried out to sea on cracked ice floes. If Alekseev had hesitated a little, a disaster awaited his detachment, since two days after the Russians landed on the shore, the sea was completely cleared of ice. The risk turned out to be worth it. Having learned about the appearance of the Russians in his rear, Furumark capitulated on May 3.

Battle of Ratan (1809). In the summer, the Shuvalov corps was headed by General Kamensky, who continued the offensive along the coast. Slowly but surely a small detachment of Russians moved towards Stockholm. Swedish lands lay around for hundreds of kilometers, and one blow that cut the thin coastal highway was enough to encircle the Russian troops. Moreover, the Swedish fleet dominated the Gulf of Bothnia, and Kamensky could not expect any help from the sea.
Trying to encircle Kamensky's detachment (5 thousand people), the Swedes in August landed an amphibious assault in his rear under the command of General Wachtmeister (6 thousand people). Kamensky turned around to meet the Wachtmeister’s detachment and on August 8 resolutely attacked it near Ratan. During the battle, the Swedish detachment was completely defeated. Having lost 2 thousand people. (a third of the squad), he retreated in disarray. This was the last battle of the last Russian-Swedish war.

Treaty of Friedrichsham (September 5(17), 1809). In August, peace negotiations began between Russia and Sweden, ending with the signing of the Treaty of Friedrichsham (now the city of Hamina, Finland). According to its terms, all of Finland and the Åland Islands passed to Russia. Finland was part of the Russian Empire as a Grand Duchy with broad internal autonomy. Sweden dissolved its alliance with England and joined the Continental blockade. Both Napoleon and Alexander achieved their goals with this war.
In general, thanks to the alliance with Napoleonic France, Russia strengthened the security of its northwestern and southwestern borders, pushing Swedish and Ottoman possessions beyond the East European Plain. However, it is worth noting that this war with the Swedes was not popular in Russian society. An attack on a weak neighbor, even if in the past a formidable enemy, was strongly condemned and considered inglorious. Losses of the Russian army in the war of 1808-1809. amounted to approximately 8 thousand people.

Shefov N.A. The most famous wars and battles of Russia M. "Veche", 2000.

Sweden is the largest country in Northern Europe. In the past, it dominated its region and at certain periods of its history could well be considered one of the great European powers. Among the kings of Sweden there were many great commanders - such as, for example, the “Lion of the North” Gustav II Adolf, Peter the Great’s rival Charles XII, as well as the former French marshal and founder of the currently ruling Swedish royal dynasty of Bernadottes, Charles XIV Johan. Victorious Wars Sweden, which the state led for several centuries, allowed it to create a fairly extensive empire in the Baltic Sea basin. However, in addition to major interstate conflicts, the Swedish military history also knows several internal ones - for example, at the end of the 16th century, an outbreak broke out in Sweden Civil War between supporters of two monarchs: Sigismund III and Charles IX.

An important event that united Swedish and Russian history, became the Great Northern War, which lasted from 1700 to 1721. The fundamental reasons for this 20-year conflict lay in Russia's desire to gain strategic access to Baltic Sea. The start of the war against Russia and its allies, which was quite successful for the Swedes, still could not ensure this northern power final victory. The final results were disappointing for Sweden: defeat in this war began the gradual decline of the country as a great power. With a certain degree of convention, we can assume that the military history of Sweden ended in 1814, when the country fought its last war.
However, even today the Scandinavian kingdom has a highly developed defense industry and, albeit small, a superbly equipped and trained army. A special section of the portal site contains original articles and editorial materials dedicated to the rich military history of Sweden and the present day of its armed forces.

Russia's claims to territories lost under the Stolbovo Peace Treaty after the Russo-Swedish War of 1610–1617. (Ivangorod, Ostrov, Koporye, Oreshek, Korela, Ingria), as well as the spread of Swedish influence into the territories of Poland, conquered by Russian troops during the military campaigns of 1654 - 1655. (The Swedes swore an oath to King Charles X Gustav in a number of cities of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and offered the same oath for Little Russia). Denmark's attempt to take revenge for its unsuccessful war with Sweden of 1643 - 1645. Austria's diplomatic efforts aimed at Russia and Denmark, concerned about the growing influence of Sweden in Eastern Europe in connection with its victory over Poland during the military campaign of 1655 (Polish- swedish war 1655 – 1660).

Preparing for war in Russia

In November 1655, Russia suspended military operations with Poland, and in February 1656 it concluded a truce with it.

The state of the Russian army

Russian troops combined two forms of military organization: “national”, based on various kinds of militias, and European - with permanent regular formations: soldiers, reiters, dragoons. The Russian army used numerous cavalry detachments of Cossacks, Kalmyks, Tatars and, just like the Swedish, there was a significant number of European mercenaries. For the war in Livonia, the Russians used the necessary supplies, established communications and military contingents that had recently been involved in the western and northwestern directions of the Russian-Polish war. Troops gathered in Polotsk with support from Vitebsk, Nevel and Druya ​​were to operate in Livonia. In Estland - troops gathered in Pskov. In Karelia - in Novgorod and Olonets.

State of the Swedish Army

The bulk of the regular Swedish army operated in Poland and Pomerania. Soldiers and dragoons were stationed in the Baltic states garrison service, as well as various kinds of militia - mainly from local German nobles and townspeople. The Swedish fortresses were reliably protected according to all the laws of European fortification of that time, including a sufficient amount of artillery.

Reason for war

Error of Swedish diplomats in the royal title during the 3rd ratification of the Treaty of Stolbov in 1655.

Russia's goals

Maintaining its influence in the territories taken from Poland during the military campaigns of 1654 - 1655; return of lost lands after the Russian-Swedish war of 1610 – 1617; seizure of Swedish territories in the Baltic states - Livonia and Estland.

Command of the Russian Army

Tsar Alexei I Mikhailovich, Prince Yakov Kudenetovich Cherkassky, Prince Alexei Nikitich Trubetskoy, Prince Ivan Andreevich Khovansky, Vasily Borisovich Sheremetev, Pyotr Ivanovich Potemkin.

Command of the Swedish Army

Gustav Adolf Levenhaupt, Count Magnus Gabriel Delagardie, Gustav Evertson Horn.

Territory of military operations

The territory of Poland (Grand Duchy of Lithuania) in the middle reaches of the Western Dvina (Latgale). The territory of Sweden is Livonia (south and northeast), Estland, Ingria, Karelia. The territory of Russia is Pskov district.

Periodization of the Russian-Swedish war 1656 – 1658.

Campaign of 1656

During the campaign, Russian troops operated in three directions: in Livonia, Estland and Ingria. In Polish Livonia (Latgale) Dinaburg was taken, in Swedish Livonia - Kokenhausen, Riga was besieged, in Estland - Dorpat, in Ingria - Noteburg and Nyenschanz. The siege of Riga was lifted.

Campaign of 1657

During the campaign, Swedish troops invaded the Pskov district, but were defeated near Gdov. In Livonia, Russian troops were defeated near Valk.

Campaign of 1658

During the Ingria campaign, Russian troops captured Yamburg and besieged Narva. Swedish troops, going on the offensive, liberated Narva and took Yamburg and Nyenschanz.

The end of the Russian-Swedish war of 1656 – 1658.

Poland resumed the war with Russia in June 1658. On August 22, 1658, Russian-Swedish peace negotiations began and a temporary truce was concluded. In the same year, Denmark was defeated in the war with Sweden, losing Skåne (the southern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula). On December 20, 1658, the Truce of Valiesar was concluded with Sweden for a period of three years, according to which Russia retained part of the conquered Livonia and Estland (Kokenhausen, Dorpat, Anzl, Neuhausen, Marnauz, Dinaburg, Lutin and Marienburg). According to the Treaty of Kardis in 1661, Russia returned to Sweden everything it had won during the war of 1656–1658. cities and territories, having received the right to maintain their trade missions in Stockholm, Riga, Reval and Narva.

Golitsyn N.S. Russian military history. St. Petersburg, 1878. Part II. pp. 616 – 622.

The Northern War, which broke out in the 18th century between Russia and Sweden, became a significant event for the Russian state. Why Peter 1 started the war with the Swedes and how it ended - more on this later.

Russian state under Peter 1

To understand the causes of the Northern War, you need to know what Russia was like at the beginning of the conflict. The 18th century was a time of tremendous changes in economics, culture, politics and social relations. Peter the Great is known as a reformer king. He inherited a huge country with an underdeveloped economy and an outdated army. Russian state was far behind European countries in development. In addition, it was weakened by long wars with Ottoman Empire which were fought for dominance in the Black Sea.

When considering the question of why Peter 1 started the war with the Swedes, you need to understand that there were the most compelling reasons for this. The Northern War was fought for access to the Baltic coast, which was vital for Russia. No trade relations with Western countries it could not develop its economy. The only port at that time through which Russian goods were supplied to the West was Arkhangelsk. The sea route through was difficult, dangerous and irregular. In addition, Peter 1 understood the need for the urgent development of his fleet in the Baltic and Black Sea. Without this it was impossible to create a strong state.

That is why the war with the Swedes under Peter 1 was inevitable. Previous rulers of Russia saw the main enemy in the Ottoman Empire, which constantly launched attacks on Russian border territories. Only such a far-sighted politician as Peter the Great understood that it was now more important for the country to have the opportunity to trade with Europe through and the fight for the Black Sea coast could wait for now.

Charles XII

During this period, the northern country was ruled by the same young and extraordinary monarch as Peter 1. Charles XII was considered a military genius, and his army was invincible. Under him, the country was considered the strongest in the Baltic region. By the way, his name is Charles in Russia, and in Sweden the king was known as Charles XII.

He began to rule, like Peter, at a young age. He was 15 years old when his father died and Charles inherited the throne. Possessing a hot temper, the king did not tolerate any advice and decided everything himself. At the age of 18 he made his first military expedition. Having announced at court that he was leaving for fun in one of his castles, in fact the young ruler with a small army set off by sea to Denmark. With a quick march, finding himself under the walls of Copenhagen, Charles forced Denmark to leave the alliance with Russia, Poland and Saxony. After this, the king spent almost 18 years outside home country, participating in various military campaigns. Their goal was to make Sweden the strongest state in Northern Europe.

Peter 1 and the Swedes: causes of military conflict

Russia and Sweden were opponents long before the birth of the reformer Tsar. The Baltic coast, which had significant geopolitical significance, has always been of great interest to many countries. Poland, Sweden and Russia have been trying to increase their influence in the Baltic region for many centuries. Starting from the 12th century, the Swedes repeatedly attacked northern Russia, trying to capture Ladoga, the coast of the Gulf of Finland and Karelia. TO early XVIII centuries, the Baltic countries were completely subordinated to Sweden. Augustus II, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, Frederick IV, Ruler of Denmark and Peter the Great formed a coalition against Sweden. Their hopes of victory were based on the youth of Charles XII. In case of victory, Russia would receive long-awaited access to the Baltic coast and the opportunity to have a fleet. It was main reason, why Peter 1 started the war with the Swedes. As for the rest of the alliance against Sweden, they sought to weaken the northern enemy and strengthen their presence in the Baltic region.

Great: The Northern War with Sweden proved the military leadership talent of the Russian Tsar

An alliance between three countries (Russia, Denmark and Poland) was concluded in 1699. Augustus II was the first to speak out against Sweden. In 1700, the siege of Riga began. That same year, the Danish army launched an invasion of Holstein, which was an ally of Sweden. Then Charles XII made a bold march into Denmark and forced it to withdraw from the war. Then he sent troops to Riga, and not daring to enter into battle, withdrew his troops.

Russia was the last to enter the war with Sweden. Why did Peter 1 not start the war with the Swedes at the same time as his allies? The fact is that Russian state at that time it was at war with the Ottoman Empire, and the country could not participate in two military conflicts at once.

The very next day after the conclusion of a peace treaty with Turkey, Russia entered into a war with Sweden. Peter 1 began a campaign to Narva, the nearest Swedish fortress. The battle was lost, despite the fact that Charles XII's troops were far outnumbered by the poorly trained and insufficiently armed Russian army.

The defeat at Narva led to a rapid transformation of the Russian armed forces. In just a year, Peter the Great was able to completely transform the army, equipped with new weapons and artillery. Since 1701, Russia begins to win victories over the Swedes: Poltava at sea. In 1721, Sweden signed a peace treaty with Russia.

Results of the Northern War

After the conclusion of the Treaty of Nystadt, Russia firmly established itself in the Baltic region and Courland.