Why Peter 1 started the war with the Swedes: the causes of the conflict and its participants. Results of the Northern War

The Northern War, which broke out in the eighteenth century between Russia and Sweden, was a landmark 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 before the conflict began. The XVIII century is a time of grandiose changes in the economy, culture, politics and social relations. Peter the Great is known as the king-reformer. He inherited a huge country with a little developed economy and an out-of-date army. The Russian state lagged behind in development from European countries. In addition, it was weakened by prolonged wars with the Ottoman Empire, which were fought for domination on the Black Sea.

Considering the question of why Peter 1 started the war with the Swedes, one must understand that for this there were the most compelling reasons. The Northern War was fought for reaching the Baltic coast, which was vital for Russia. Without trade relations with Western countries, it could not develop its economy. The only port at the time, through which Russian goods were delivered to the West, was Arkhangelsk. The sea route through the White Sea was complex, dangerous and irregular. In addition, Peter 1 understood the need for the urgent development of his fleet in the Baltic and the Black Sea. Without this it was impossible to create a strong state.

That's 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 committed attacks on Russian border areas. Only such a far-sighted politician as Peter the Great understood that for the country it is now more important to have the opportunity to trade with Europe through the Baltic Sea, and the struggle for the Black Sea coast can wait for now.

King of Sweden Carl XII

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

He began to edit, like Peter, at a young age. He was 15 years old when his father died, and Charles succeeded to the throne. Possessing a quick temper, the king did not tolerate any advice and decided everything himself. At the age of 18, he made his first military expedition. Having declared at the court that he was leaving for fun in one of his castles, in fact the young ruler with a small army set off across the sea to Denmark. Rapidly marching under the walls of Copenhagen, Karl forced Denmark to withdraw from the alliance with Russia, Poland and Saxony. Almost 18 years after this, the king spent outside his native country, participating in various military campaigns. Their goal was to make Sweden the strongest state in Northern Europe.

Peter 1 and the Swedes: the causes of military conflict

Russia and Sweden were adversaries long before the birth of the tsar-reformer. The Baltic coast, which had important geopolitical significance, has always been of great interest to many countries. Poland, Sweden and Russia have tried for many centuries to strengthen their influence in the Baltic region. Since the XII century, the Swedes have repeatedly attacked the north of Russia, trying to seize Ladoga, the coast of the Gulf of Finland and Karelia. By the beginning of the XVIII century, the Baltic countries were completely subordinated to Sweden. Augustus II, King of Poland and elector of Saxony, Frederick IV, the ruler of Denmark and Peter the Great formed a coalition against Sweden. Their hopes for victory were based on the youth of Charles XII. Russia in the event of victory received a long-awaited exit to the Baltic coast and the opportunity to have a fleet. This was the main reason why Peter the Great started the war with the Swedes. As for the remaining members of the alliance against Sweden, they sought to weaken the northern enemy and strengthen their presence in the Baltic region.

Peter the Great: The Northern War with Sweden proved the commanding talent of the Russian Tsar

The union between the three countries (Russia, Denmark and Poland) was concluded in 1699. The first to speak against Sweden August II. In 1700 the siege of Riga began. In the same year, the Danish army launched an invasion of the territory of Holstein, which was an ally of Sweden. Then Charles XII made a daring march to Denmark and forced her to withdraw from the war. Then he sent troops to Riga, and the Polish king, not daring to join the battle, withdrew his troops.

Later, Russia joined the war with Sweden. Why did Peter 1 start a war with the Swedes, not simultaneously with the allies? The fact is that at that time the Russian state fought against the Ottoman Empire, and the country could not participate in two military conflicts at once.

The day after the conclusion of the peace treaty with Turkey, Russia entered the war with Sweden. Peter 1 began a campaign to Narva, the nearest Swedish fortress. The battle was lost, despite the fact that the troops of Charles XII were much inferior in numbers to the poorly trained and under-armed Russian army.

The defeat of Narva led to the rapid transformation of the armed forces of Russia. 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 gain victory over the Swedes: the Battle of Poltava, the Gangut battle on the sea. In 1721, Sweden signed a peace treaty with Russia.

Results of the Northern War

After the conclusion of the Nystadt peace treaty, Russia firmly established itself in the Baltic region and Kurland.