As you may already know, I decided to write a timeline that includes the successful Polish-Swedish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The task may seem hard as first, but proves to be really complicated when you try to match all the details. I have discarded all of my previous drafts and decided to ask you for help.
Primary Goal: Find a POD that will create a relatively stable and successful Polish-Swedish-Lithuanian Commonwealth at the end of XXth century.
Secondary Goal: Make sure the POD is as late as possible and as much insignificant as possible.
Tertiary Goal: Make sure that Poland is dominating nation of the Commonwealth
I will outline basic problems concerning the creation of an union of Poland, Sweden and Lithuania below for you:
1. Religion. During the Reformation period Poland-Lithuania stayed catholic, whereas Sweden converted to Protestantism and removed most catholic influences from their country. Religion was one of the main reason of wars between Poland and Sweden, and was the main reason of War against Sigimund.
2. Political system. At that time kings in Poland-Lithuania were elected. I think it is safe to assume that the creation of peaceful PSL Commonwealth was possible only under the Vasa royal family. Not to mention the vast differences between Swedish absolutism and Polish nobility-with-their-“Golden-Freedom”.
3. Geography. Poland and Sweden are separated by Baltic Sea, that provides some lucrative trading opportunities, but makes administrating the Commonwealth quite difficult. Especially since king can’t in Poland and Sweden at the same time and creates a reason for secession/rebellion (which was the case in OTL). If the Commonwealth attempted to merge it’s land possessions by claiming Finland, Courland and the rest of eastern Baltic coast, that would definitely lead to war with Russia.
4. Language and culture. In the long perspective it is nearly impossible to create a homogenous nation out of Poland, Sweden and Lithuania. Maybe sort of federal state is plausible?
5. Wars. This is quite obvious, but for example after the Deluge creating such a Commonwealth is possible only by incorporation of one country (most likely Poland) into the other.
List of PODs I have thought about:
- Pontificate of influential, pro-ecumenical, peaceful pope during late XVIth century. He manages to undo some of the reformation and is personally interested in unifying a catholic and protestant country.
- Birth of a priest/monk/saint that is able to stand against Olaus Petri and other Swedish Lutherans and manages to keep Sweden Catholic.
- Marriage of Jan II Kazimierz Vasa with Christina of Sweden
- Decisive Polish victory in Battle of Stångebro
I invite all of you to the discussion, especially if you come from Poland or Sweden or Lithuania. Thank you in advance for your PODs, suggestions, comments, timelines, maps ect.
Primary Goal: Find a POD that will create a relatively stable and successful Polish-Swedish-Lithuanian Commonwealth at the end of XXth century.
Secondary Goal: Make sure the POD is as late as possible and as much insignificant as possible.
Tertiary Goal: Make sure that Poland is dominating nation of the Commonwealth
I will outline basic problems concerning the creation of an union of Poland, Sweden and Lithuania below for you:
1. Religion. During the Reformation period Poland-Lithuania stayed catholic, whereas Sweden converted to Protestantism and removed most catholic influences from their country. Religion was one of the main reason of wars between Poland and Sweden, and was the main reason of War against Sigimund.
2. Political system. At that time kings in Poland-Lithuania were elected. I think it is safe to assume that the creation of peaceful PSL Commonwealth was possible only under the Vasa royal family. Not to mention the vast differences between Swedish absolutism and Polish nobility-with-their-“Golden-Freedom”.
3. Geography. Poland and Sweden are separated by Baltic Sea, that provides some lucrative trading opportunities, but makes administrating the Commonwealth quite difficult. Especially since king can’t in Poland and Sweden at the same time and creates a reason for secession/rebellion (which was the case in OTL). If the Commonwealth attempted to merge it’s land possessions by claiming Finland, Courland and the rest of eastern Baltic coast, that would definitely lead to war with Russia.
4. Language and culture. In the long perspective it is nearly impossible to create a homogenous nation out of Poland, Sweden and Lithuania. Maybe sort of federal state is plausible?
5. Wars. This is quite obvious, but for example after the Deluge creating such a Commonwealth is possible only by incorporation of one country (most likely Poland) into the other.
List of PODs I have thought about:
- Pontificate of influential, pro-ecumenical, peaceful pope during late XVIth century. He manages to undo some of the reformation and is personally interested in unifying a catholic and protestant country.
- Birth of a priest/monk/saint that is able to stand against Olaus Petri and other Swedish Lutherans and manages to keep Sweden Catholic.
- Marriage of Jan II Kazimierz Vasa with Christina of Sweden
- Decisive Polish victory in Battle of Stångebro
I invite all of you to the discussion, especially if you come from Poland or Sweden or Lithuania. Thank you in advance for your PODs, suggestions, comments, timelines, maps ect.