Sweden was a result of being in a relatively stable position with everyone else in the middle of war, famine, etc. One of the biggest reasons they were involved in the 30 Years war was simply to unload their own mercenaries as to not have them ravaging their own country. Sweden Simply does not have the population to maintain a Great power status for long.
Sweden Simply does not have the population to maintain a Great power status for long.
Wouldn't it be possible for Sweden to increase its population by making Protestant Germany a dependent group and eventually part of Sweden?
Well, simply by being in the geographic location they are and having the power they do, Denmark and Russia are going to be rivals, that seems difficult to stop. Poland-Lithuania is unfriendly as well. Perhaps the answer, if there is one, does lie in a close alliance with Brandenburg-Prussia, due to having the same enemies. Maybe leading to a personal union down the road if they play their cards right.
A dynastic union between the Prussian House of Hohenzollerns and the Swedish House of Vasa might be in the cards though, but other than that, what other dynastic union within these two countries could have emerged?
But how to keep Russia down?I beg to differ. The Netherlands did not have much of a population, yet it was a powerful force to be reckoned with until the Napoleonic Wars.
What broke Sweden and toppled it from its position of power was its wars with Russia. These wars were long and costly, and if they can either be avoided or won, Sweden will likely remain a strong European power. And I think that's the thing, if Russia ascends, Sweden has to fall.
I'm afraid by the Great Northern it was too late; Karl XII was one of the most competent military leaders of his time but such a large coalition would be impossible for any country to overcome especially in a protracted war.
I'm afraid by the Great Northern it was too late; Karl XII was one of the most competent military leaders of his time but such a large coalition would be impossible for any country to overcome especially in a protracted war.
Instead look at the Second Northern War during which time Sweden basically gave rise to the Kingdom of Prussia by helping the Brandenburger's gain sovereignty over Ducal Prussia, even though the Prussian Estates would rather have become a Swedish Dominion. Only to have the Brandenburger's turn around and help Poland push them out and end in the almost status quo.
And then France forced Sweden too invade Brandenburg during the Franco-Dutch War and the Great Elector rapidly pushed the Swedes out ending their reign as the "Invincible Swedes." France ended its alliance after the Great Sleigh Drive and the end of Sweden as a Great Power was almost assured.
its from the Great Electors "Fatherly Instruction" to Fredreich I.the Swedes quit while they are ahead post-Deluge and keep the Baltics and Ducal Prussia, while Royal Prussia and parts of Poland go to Brandenburg
Neither one was a Great Power for more than a Century. Just like Sweden, Swedens only real advantage is its resources and the fact that conscription is almost a part of its culture.What about the Portuguese, the Dutch?
Sweden defeats Russia in the Great Northern War, acquiring hegemony over Central and Eastern Europe. Maybe have Peter the Great be butterflied away to help with Sweden hegemony. Seems "simple" enough.Long ago, in a Europe far, far away. Sweden was one of Europes strongest powers, capable of defeating Russians, Poles, and other great nations.
What I ask is how can Sweden stay a power? To make this interesting no POD before 1500 AD.
Heh. Kind of what Saudi Arabia is doing with its own jihadists today (or so I have heard).Sweden was a result of being in a relatively stable position with everyone else in the middle of war, famine, etc. One of the biggest reasons they were involved in the 30 Years war was simply to unload their own mercenaries as to not have them ravaging their own country.
Perhaps the easiest way for Sweden to win the Great Northern War is to just figure out a way to kill Peter the Great. Hell, kill him before the war, Russia doesn't modernize its army, and remains an eastern backwater.
Given what happened to China or Indian kingdoms or any of the other fairly-powerful nations that nevertheless lagged behind European powers in terms of tech? I doubt a Peter-less Russia would be much of an obstacle.Still I think by that point Russia will rise eventually. And even a medium strength Russia will be enough of a distraction to prevent Sweden from achieving its aims elsewhere in my opinion.