A country in despair

[Jakashan]

Stockholm, autumn -1790

King Gustav III of Sweden did not know what he felt. Was he furious, miserable, hopeless, angry, sad or a mixture of all emotions known to mankind?
He thought he had planned it all, thought he would achieve all that he had wished for in his war against Russia. Instead he nearly lost the eastern part of his country. He was not stupid, he knew full well that had it not been for the sufficient performance by the navy and the outstanding performance of the archipelago navy at Svensksund Finland might indeed have been a Russian province after this failed war.
He had done the same mistake as the Hat-party, a party he dissolved 18 years earlier, did in the war with Russia 1741 to 1743. He had underestimated Russia and both the Russian army and navy while at the same time overestimated the abilities of his own country and army.
"-That worthless army with its useless officers". He thought for himself, they had nearly betrayed its country and king. "-I should have executed the hole bunch instead of just Hästesko." He pondered on his fury almost taking full control over him. With hands trembling of his hard grip on the back of his chair he finally managed to calm down.

Was this the country he would leave for his son to rule? A country unable to defend itself? And what of Russia? If another war with Russia broke out was the third time the charm? Would she take Finland and keep it, Sweden incapable of defending it or recapturing in it? The past two wars with Russia, his own included he reluctantly admitted, was testimony that Sweden could not retake lands lost to Russia.
No this could not, most not be the case! He could not let his beloved son inherit such a country. Things had to change!


Some week later Gustav assembled the government. He said what he wanted them to hear. After hours of discussion they felt that they were in agreement on some topics.
Most important one was Russia. This was no longer 1690, it was 1790. Russia was no longer a rival of less or comparable power. With the lands Sweden lost to Russia in the past century, and land gained by Russia in the expense of others along with a modernization of both Russian society and armed forces Russia was truly not a equal rival to Sweden, she was a existential threat.
The economy of the nation was the next topic with the cabinet in full agreement: Sweden was poor, the income was low and the country bled money by the cause of corruption.
And not to forget, the nation was divided. Officials looking for their own interest, corrupt officials. A nobility that almost hated their king, peasants and burgess with no trust to either the nobility, their government or their king.

One thing could not change without the other. The nation needed to heal, corruption needed to be rooted out, taxing sadly needed a small raise, but most importantly the holes from where the money bled most be sealed! All of the country needed to feel unity, that they were one people in one country facing hardship and success together.
The government decided that several committees was to be formed, to locate where the problems was and to come up with solutions to fix those problems.

Stockholm, december 1790
The general staff and war collage presented some solutions to strengthen the army just two months after the committee for the army was formed. reorganization of the army had already begun during the war with Russia.
The overall composition of the army was not optimal, by far. To begin with the cavalry was to large in comparison with the infantry. Technical and tactical changes had happened since the Great Northern War, but the army composition of the Swedish army had roughly stayed the same. Some cavalry regiment needed to reform to infantry regiments, some of this had already started but more could be done. And the number of infantry regiments had to increase, along with more and less centralized artillery. Not to forget that replacing infirm and weakly gifted soldiers and officers was important. Higher requirements and a higher degree of control with inspections was necessary. Rooting out corrupt and down right disloyal officers was high up in the agenda, something that might cause internal trouble they warned the government, careful not to aim the statement directly to the king though they knew he as a absolute ruler would be the subject of that internal "trouble".

The reorganizations of the army committee presented was this:
-The life regiment on horse was to reorganize to a reduced brigade, with one cuirassier corps, one light dragoon corps and one light infantry corps, named the liferegiment brigades "cuirassier corps", light dragoon corps" and "light infantry corps" respectively.
-Östgöta cavalry regiment was to reorganize to a grenadier regiment, renamed to the "first lifegrenadier regiment".
-Smålands cavalry regiment was also to reorganize to grenadier regiment, renamed to the "second lifegrenadier regiment".
-Åbo & Björneborgs cavalry regiment was to reorganize to two jäger battalions, named "Åbos jäger battalion" and "Björneborgs jäger battalion".
-Nylands & Tavastehus cavalry regiment along with the Karelian dragoon squadron was to reform and reorganize to two dragoon corps named "Nylands dragoon corps" and "Karelian dragoon corps" and one jäger battalion named "Nylands jäger battalion".
-Bohusläns light dragoon regiment was to reorganize to a infantry regiment, named "Bohusläns infantry regiment"
-Västgöta cavalry regiment was to reorganize and rename to a dragoon regiment.
-The northern Scanian cavalry regiment was to reorganize to a hussar regiment and be renamed to Scanias hussar regiment.
-The southern Scanian cavalry regiment was to reorganize to a dragoon regiment and be renamed to Scanias dragoon regiment.
-All hussars and dragoons should practice dismounted fighting as light infantry, mounted fighting, both cavalry charges and firing of short muskets/carbines and pistols from horseback.
-The garrison regiment in Stralsund, at garrison in Malmö the past 24 years was to be renamed to "Malmö garrison regiment".
-The artillery regiment was to reform in to four artillery regiments, "Svea artillery regiment", "Göta artillery regiment", "Finlands artillery regiment" and "Wendes artillery regiment".

For increasing the size of the army the committee suggested this:
-A foot jäger battalion of the same type as Värmlands foot jäger battalion should be recruited in Jämtland, along with formalizing the mounted soldier of Jämtlands regiment to a dragoon corps.
-Two infantry regiments should be raised in Scania, taking over the names of the cavalry regiments as "northern and respectively southern Scanias infantry regiment".
-A light infantry battalion should be recruited in Scania.
-A light infantry battalion should be raised in Västernorrland.
-A dragoon corps should be raised in Värmland.
-Some form of levy of the population to strengthen the army’s numbers during war instead of the männings regiments utilized during the Great Northern War should be looked in to.

The suggestion on how to organize the army the committee opted for brigades capable of performing individual military operations.
Two regiments with a artillery company as a standard brigade. Reinforced with a light infantry or a jäger battalion for some. Reinforced with a cavalry corps in others.
The decentralization of the artillery would help in the implementation of this brigade composition.

The king and cabinet was pleased at the suggested changes, but less pleased with the timeframe for the reorganization, guesses was that it would take five years until the reorganization was completed.
And their suggested timeframe for the completion of the eastern fortifications was outrageous, 20 years!
Time might not be what Sweden had, no wars was on the horizon but such could easily change in short time. More money was needed, a lot more money.
The government could do nothing about that until the other committees had finished their investigations.
The reorganization of the army was to start immediately.
Gustavs hopes on the army was high, but he had overestimated the army before. God willing it would not be a overestimation this time. "-The future existence of my country depend upon it" Gustav thought for himself as he exited the meeting hall of his government.

How was he supposed to increase the income of the state? Raising taxes had resulted in rebellions. To have Sweden for a national assembly as in France and have him in house arrest as the French king was nothing he wished to create. He was king of god grace and ruled supreme, perhaps his head would rule supreme besides a revolutionary Swedish flag at the top of Stockholm castle if he pushed things to far?
No he had to take things in the right order, had to compromise however distasteful such things was. If his son was to rule a unified nation he as his sons father could not be the reason the country fell deeper in despair.

 

[TimTurner]

Nice start.

 

[Jakashan]

Nice start.

Thank you.
I intend to take this to either Napoleons defeat or Napoleons exaltation to the emperor of Europe.

Have not decided if I should keep Sweden as a absolute monarchy, reform to a constitutional monarchy or going down the revolution road post Gustav III civilian changes.

 

[Vikingen]

A constitutional monarchy I believe is the most likely and the best way for Sweden to have a strong and competent government. And if I may maybe you could have Gustav get an intestinal in Norway. Maybe he wants to conquer it? And good story and hope you continued it. From the north

 

[Jakashan]

A constitutional monarchy I believe is the most likely and the best way for Sweden to have a strong and competent government. And if I may maybe you could have Gustav get an intestinal in Norway. Maybe he wants to conquer it? And good story and hope you continued it. From the north

The conspiracy against Gustav III are already to late to stop.
With the constitutional changes Gustav want to implement in Sweden I do not think it is likely he can avoid to be assassinated.
Norway will have its share of battle.
Maybe the hathred between the brother people result in the razing of Oslo and Trondheim in a possible war? Severe casualties among the Norwegian population in a ethnic cleansing?

No such things is nothing I will try to make happen. But I do intend for Norway to be involved. But that is nothing that will happen in the 18th century.

 

[Vikingen]

I didn’t mean for you to destroy Norway. I meant if he I wanted to conquer it. That means that there is something left to conquer. And Oslo was actually called Kristiania in that period.

 

[Jakashan]

Stockholm, January 1791

The young prince was truly excited. He was to participate in the festivities the crown arranged to honor the heroes of a war. Stories of war had always excited him, listening, and reading of heroic battles, and now he was to mingle with actual heroes, veterans, and commanders from the war with Russia.

Yesterday he got to meet what his father described as the navy’s and army´s most distinguished commanders. His fathers most trusted counsellor colonel Gustaf Armfeldt and the hero of the battle of Svensksund Colonel Carl Olof Cronstedt. His father had asked the two men to act as mentors to him, to teach him the tactics, strategy et cetera of the army and navy. To educate him to a competent field commander. Gustav felt prouder and more privileged than he thought to be possible, he was to learn from great commanders and happily accepted to learn and listen to these men.

Stockholm castle was filled with dignitaries, soldiers, sailors, nobility, officers and rich merchants. This was truly an amazing occasion and the young boy could not stop smiling. Medallions were given to soldiers who had performed good during the war. Some soldiers and sailors were promoted to officers or noncommissioned officers. His father the king and field marshal Johan Meijerfeldt was the ones awarding medallions and giving promotions. The most exiting promotions and distinctions in young Gustav´s mind was the officers who was in higher command, the leaders and true heroes in Gustav´s childish opinion.

First came the distinction of the hero among heroes, colonel Cronstedt. He was appointed to secretary of the navy, he was not promoted having been promoted to colonel after the battle of Svensksund, but Gustav could hear his father whisper to Cronstedt that higher ranks was not far away. Cronstedt was appointed to commander of the Archipelago navy´s eastern squadron. The awarding and promotions of other naval officers followed and the ones Gustav remembered was Rudolf Cederström´s promotion to major and the Archipelago navy´s commander Salomon von Rajalin´s promotion to rear admiral.

Then it was time for the king´s adjutant general colonel Armfelt. He accepted medallions for valor and courage along with a promotion to major general. Among the officer´s of the army it was just as with the officer´s of the navy the ones in higher command or distinguished actions Gustav remembered. Major general Gustaf Wachtmeister, who after the battle of Valkeala was given a field promotion from the king from colonel to major general. He was wounded in the battle and his arm was amputated. He was given several handsome and stylish medallions by the king and field marshal. Curt von Stedingk was also promoted to major general. Carl Adlercreutz, Georg von Döbeln and Eberhard von Vegesack was promoted to major´s. The three men was a little low in rank to really make a impression on the prince, but von Döbeln had been wounded in the war an wore a black ribbon around his head, the three men was promoted at the same time and a hero who took a musket ball to the forehead and lived to tell the tale was not something a prince should forget.



Making friends out of enemies - 1791

King Gustav along with his advisors and the government soon realized that a continuation of hostile relations with Russia was a bad thing, a really bad thing if truth be told. They came up with a surprising yet bold idea.

They would try to form an alliance with their former enemy. The French revolution was spreading and the European powers had started some probing among each other to band together in response. Gustav wrote a letter to his cousin czaritza Catherine the Great of Russia. He asked her to let bygones be bygones and if she could find it in her heart to see the past war as passing clouds in the sky. To see the reasons in an alliance among neighbors and solidate a strong defensive pact in northeastern Europe.

Catherine to the surprise of the Swedish cabinet responded with interest of the suggestion. The following months negotiations took place. Catherine sarcastically stated that the performance of the Swedish army hardly impressed the Russian general staff, perhaps Russia should be the one training the Swedish troops if Sweden was to be a dependable ally? King Gustav did not waste a minute too long for that subtle invitation and started negotiating for Russian financial support. Instead of actually training the Swedish arms, perhaps Russia could aid in funding the improvements of the Swedish arms?

The negotiations took a new turn when the Russian leaders had an opportunity to tie Sweden closer, and more dependent on Russian influence. But the Russian side was unwilling to pay subsidies to Sweden. Russia claimed that the existing trade deal agreed upon at the peace negotiations at Värälä was financial support enough from Russia. At the same time Russia saw it as a, for now, good idea that Sweden wanted to improve its forces, should the revolution in France spread or the national assembly of France start looking for expansion Russia could indeed benefit from a friendly Sweden that could aid them in such a war instead of taking opportunity when Russia was preoccupied elsewhere. The negotiations stalled, neither side willing to give in.

In a private conversation ruling cousin to ruling cousin Catherine talked about her granddaughters and where they should live, preferably rule.

“-Your son is still available for engagement, is he not?” she asked Gustav.

“-He is, though he is not yet 13. A little early to take a wife. Better he grows to more of a man first”- he answered with a wink.

“-And Alexandra is just 8. But when your boy is a man in 5 years she is 13 and a young woman. And such a union would bring our nations closer together”

“-True, they would make a good match. But to officially engage them now might be too soon, don´t you agree?”

“-Yes, that is also true. Perhaps if we wait until your son is 15 and my granddaughter is 10 before we start official negotiations of marriage?”

“-That sound like a splendid idea my dear Catherine! However, if your granddaughter is to be queen in a allied country, would you not prefer it was in a strong country? Perhaps if we could come to an agreement on the financial issues……”

“-Well, well, well Gustav, you surely do not waste a moment when it comes to money, do you? Alright, I will see what I can do”.

They continued their talks until the darkness forced them to wish each other a good night. Gustav hoped that some financial support was possible, he had grand plans on how to use them. Catherine had already made up her mind. Alexandra was to wed prince Gustav and become the future queen of Sweden. And her new land was to be a country highly influenced by the Russian empire. But formally an ally, and an ally that could field a more impressing force than it had in the war of 1788-1790.

A breakthrough in the stalled negotiations came when general Armfelt opted for a solution. Perhaps if a small changing in the term” defensive” of the alliance was at place? Seeing the trouble in France, would Russia be willing to give Sweden an economic compensation if the alliance was valid in an offensive war started by Russia against France? That Swedish compromise changed the Russian willingness to pay for forming an alliance.

In September a defensive alliance between the Russian empire and the kingdom of Sweden was officially signed. The terms of the alliance summarized as:

-Both countries was obligated to come to the others aid if either country was attacked.

-Neither country was obligated to aid the other in an offensive war started by either country.

-If Russia declared war against revolutionary France, Sweden was obligated to do the same and aid Russia in that war.

-In a war against France Sweden was not allowed to sign a separate peace with France.

-In the trade deal from the treaty of Värälä. Sweden was allowed to annually, duty free from Russian ports buy 200,000 rubles worth of hemp and 50,000 rubles worth of grain. The deal would be extended 8 years beyond the 8 years from the treaty of Värälä. The trade deal would be applied to the end of the year 1806.

-Russia would give Sweden subsidies of 40,000 rubles annually for 12 years.

The Russian goal was to make Sweden a dependable ally that could actually aid Russia in a war. The Russian side saw the alliance and the subsidies with the extended trade deal as an excellent way to make Sweden a semi client state. Sweden saw the alliance as an excellent way for Sweden to receive aid should it be attacked and a helpful financial support in the reorganization and build up that had started.

Few was the military leaders who thought a strengthening of the navy and army could transform the Swedish forces to a feared and powerful force as it was before the great northern war, that was reserved to the dreamers. But most agreed that a larger, better trained and better equipped army could result in that the long period of losing lands would hopefully end.

 

[Vikingen]

You have forgotten to trademark both chapters.

 

[Jakashan]

I didn’t mean for you to destroy Norway. I meant if he I wanted to conquer it. That means that there is something left to conquer. And Oslo was actually called Kristiania in that period.

Gustav III sought Russian support in the mid 1780´s for the incorporation of Norway to the Swedish realm. So I do not have to change anyting regarding his interest in Norway, it was there the whole time.

 

[Jakashan]

You have forgotten to trademark both chapters.

What is that?

 

[Vikingen]

What is that?

It is something people often put on chapters to make it easier for people to navigate the chapters of a timeline when it became longer. It is an index of sorts. It is almost all timelines.

 

[Jakashan]

It is something people often put on chapters to make it easier for people to navigate the chapters of a timeline when it became longer. It is an index of sorts. It is almost all timelines.

That would be the "threadmark" button then. Trademark is something entirely different.
So like tagging each new post in the story itself as "chapter #"?

 

[Jakashan]

Thinking ahead a realy long time. If I try for a "Gustav IV does not lock himself in his room the day he was supposed to engage Grand Duchess Alexandra Pavlovna and breaking her hearth resulting in her locking herself in her room crying and Gustav some days later returning to Sweden."

I ask for giudance from the wast knowledge that is distributed among the members of this forum.
OTL Alexandra gave birth to a girl, who sadly died within hours, she was named Alexandrine after her mother. I would really like help in what the possible children of Gustav IV and Grand Duches Alexandra might be named?
Gustavs own children OTL was named Gustav (hardly any big thoughts by the parents on this one), Sophie, Cecilia and Amalia.

Both Gustav and Alexandra are proven fertile humans, could a cook that made food Alexandra could eat and maybe a little more competant medicus improve Alexandras chances to survive childbirth and improve the chances of her children to live?

 

[Jakashan]

Stockholm, April 1791

In March the committee for oversight of the financial and administrative agency (Kammarkollegiet) as well as the committee for oversight of the council of the realm and state (Riksrådet) both contacted king Gustav and the government stating that they had partially completed their work and wanted to brief the head of state and his government on their work so far. Gustav called in an assembly of the government to take place in the first Tuesday of April.

The committee for realm and state did not surprise the king with their first statement, the form of government from the year 1772 had to change. To have a king with almost absolute power was not the way forward if king Gustav was true to his wishes of transforming the country from a poor and divided country to a unified and if not rich then at least not poor country. Changing the form of government was nothing that could be done in short time, further investigations in a lot of areas and consultations with most of the agencies of the state was needed. They agreed to that Gustav´s popularity had improved some after the Swedish-Russian war of 1788-1790 and the papers writing of the ongoing army reorganization and increasing of the size together with the negotiations with Russia over a possible defensive alliance had indeed helped in improving the king’s popularity, at least among the lower classes of the population. To show his good intentions they proposed that the king made it official to change the government to that of a constitutional monarchy with power distributed among the classes of the land and not remaining with the present distribution of power with the king and privy council having almost all the power. A good start would be that the king at the same time as the publications of intentions for a governmental reform revoked the freedom of press ordinance of 1774 with its restrictions and issue a new one with a true freedom of press.

The committee for finance and administration had begun to look over the current taxes, pondering of new taxes or a complete reformation of the tax system. Corruption did exist as did inefficiency in the bureaucratic apparatus from government level down to parish level. By rooting out all the corruption possible and streamlining the agencies and administrations of the state as well as administrations for counties, parishes, cities and boroughs they estimated that the possible release of financial resources was somewhere around 15% of the total tax funds.

The king, privy council and government thought the amount of money lost to corruption and inefficiency would be higher but was at the same time happily surprised it was not higher, even though they had hoped for more money for the state by a meticulous cleaning of the state apparatus. The meeting adjourned for an hours of lunch before the briefings continued. The discussions held during lunch made it clear that the government did not believe that a total stop of private enrichment at the expense of the state would be nearly enough to pay of the foreign loans, pay for a reorganization and increment of the army and completion of the eastern fortresses, more was needed.

After lunch the committee for finance and administration continued their presentation. It was time for the taxes. The current tax on land could increase some but should not suffer a big increment if the rulers and guardians of the realm wanted to avoid a starvation among the peasants. The lands owned by the nobility were almost entirely exempt from taxation, taxing those lands would indeed increase the income of the state. Further taxes could be found by taxing the landless workers and merchants. A form of income tax could and would be preferable among those classes of the population. To hinder the outflow of money from the country and encourage domestic trade and exports of domestic goods an import tax should be imposed, except for goods that could not be domestically produced.

To implement such changes was nothing neither the king with the privy council or the government thought possible, at least not if the crown did not give other things back. King Gustav knew he could not force such changes if he did not start making huge distasteful compromises. He was almost an absolute king, but to force the changes the committees suggested down the throat of the people and the nobility could not lead to anything but a revolution. He only saw two possible outcomes of this: Provoking the nobility and be disposed and replaced in a coup or provoking the people and be disposed and become a puppet in a Swedish variant of the French national assembly, if they let him live. No if he were to take, he had to give in this case. The two committees received new orders, they were to work together in finding solutions on how the suggested changes could be implemented and accepted by the classes.



Stockholm, May 1791

Prince Gustav was disappointed, his tutelage did not become the adventure he had hoped. He had to continue to learn from the tutors he had before Cronstedt and Armfelt became his additional tutors. “You must learn the ways of a king if you are to become one” as his father often told him. The officers did not take him to field or naval exercises, nor did they recount for him heroic stories of battle. So far, the studies was of practical and theoretical nature, Gustav thought he already had that kind of studies in excess. But they both insured him that studies out there in the real world would come in due time.

His father had lately started talking with him as if he were already a man, or soon to be one. Talking about how the time to find him a wife grew closer each month. Telling him the paramount importance to keep friendly relationship with Russia. And why on earth did he say that? Was not Russia the enemy, the one Cronstedt and Armfelt the last few months had started to educate him on how he was to defeat them in battle? Why this change suddenly about a country who barely a year ago they where at war with? And to make matters worse, his father implied that it would be a Russian princess that one day would become young Gustav’s wife!

He could not make sense on this new view of Russia. To his own stupidity Gustav started arguing against his father and stating that an enemy is not a friend. That was a huge mistake he soon realized. Now he had yet another tutor, one that did his best to teach Gustav the Russian language. To Gustav´s surprise learning a new language was fun, and he learned quickly. Seems that he had a natural talent for foreign languages.

“-Vasilii is a good tutor, a pity the balding old man speaks worse Swedish than the most uneducated farmers in the wilderness of Lappland do” Gustav thought for himself as Vasilii started yet another lesson of the Russian rulers of old, in Russian none the less.



In the last week of May it was time for the committee of population development to hold their briefing for the government. The population in the realm excluding Swedish Pomerania was just above 3 million. The colonization of Norrland with settlers and in the wooded areas of Svealand had increased farmland in those areas. The committee knew where the army had started their increasement of regiments and battalion and now they presented complementary information of areas possible for new allotted soldiers.

The population and numbers of farms in Norrland had indeed increased since the new allotment system assessed the numbers of regiments Norrland could support. Västerbotten, Ångermanland and Medelpad could possibly support more allotted soldiers if the allotted sailors of Ångermanland and Medelpad were to relocate to Hälsingland who also could support a higher number of troops than the ones in Hälsinge Regiment alone. Western Svealand had also grown enough in population and farms to support more troops. Neither Blekinge nor Halland was part of the current reorganization even though they had rich farmland. Finland was in a similar situation as Norrland.

The committee claimed that they had a full understanding that the army probably wanted to implement the ongoing changes before raising new units. And that the committee would present the conclusions to both the army and the navy after this briefing with the government.

King Gustav immediately wanted propositions on where new units and how many could possible be raised. But he was soon interrupted and silenced by the head of treasury.

“-The current reorganization and recruitment is more than the treasury could afford. To start yet another build up before the finances are in order will start a debt spiral that will surely lead to our bankruptcy!” the head of treasury said with a laud voice and hard tone directly to the king.

Gustav realized that precisely as with a possible change in form of government, change of taxation and all other things he wanted to improve he had to take things slowly and in the right order. It was not in the king´s personality to slowly change things. He was an impulsive, driven man but with an inadequate ability complete his undertakings. He knew that about himself. But this was different, this was for the future of his realm and his son. He only had one child still alive, a son who he loved with all his hearth. And for the sake of both Sweden´s and young Gustav´s future he must stay focused on the things to come and listen to his advisors, however difficult that might become.

 

[alexmilman]

Stockholm, January 1791

The young prince was truly excited. He was to participate in the festivities the crown arranged to honor the heroes of a war. Stories of war had always excited him, listening, and reading of heroic battles, and now he was to mingle with actual heroes, veterans, and commanders from the war with Russia.

Yesterday he got to meet what his father described as the navy’s and army´s most distinguished commanders. His fathers most trusted counsellor colonel Gustaf Armfeldt and the hero of the battle of Svensksund Colonel Carl Olof Cronstedt. His father had asked the two men to act as mentors to him, to teach him the tactics, strategy et cetera of the army and navy. To educate him to a competent field commander. Gustav felt prouder and more privileged than he thought to be possible, he was to learn from great commanders and happily accepted to learn and listen to these men.

Stockholm castle was filled with dignitaries, soldiers, sailors, nobility, officers and rich merchants. This was truly an amazing occasion and the young boy could not stop smiling. Medallions were given to soldiers who had performed good during the war. Some soldiers and sailors were promoted to officers or noncommissioned officers. His father the king and field marshal Johan Meijerfeldt was the ones awarding medallions and giving promotions. The most exiting promotions and distinctions in young Gustav´s mind was the officers who was in higher command, the leaders and true heroes in Gustav´s childish opinion.

First came the distinction of the hero among heroes, colonel Cronstedt. He was appointed to secretary of the navy, he was not promoted having been promoted to colonel after the battle of Svensksund, but Gustav could hear his father whisper to Cronstedt that higher ranks was not far away. Cronstedt was appointed to commander of the Archipelago navy´s eastern squadron. The awarding and promotions of other naval officers followed and the ones Gustav remembered was Rudolf Cederström´s promotion to major and the Archipelago navy´s commander Salomon von Rajalin´s promotion to rear admiral.

Then it was time for the king´s adjutant general colonel Armfelt. He accepted medallions for valor and courage along with a promotion to major general. Among the officer´s of the army it was just as with the officer´s of the navy the ones in higher command or distinguished actions Gustav remembered. Major general Gustaf Wachtmeister, who after the battle of Valkeala was given a field promotion from the king from colonel to major general. He was wounded in the battle and his arm was amputated. He was given several handsome and stylish medallions by the king and field marshal. Curt von Stedingk was also promoted to major general. Carl Adlercreutz, Georg von Döbeln and Eberhard von Vegesack was promoted to major´s. The three men was a little low in rank to really make a impression on the prince, but von Döbeln had been wounded in the war an wore a black ribbon around his head, the three men was promoted at the same time and a hero who took a musket ball to the forehead and lived to tell the tale was not something a prince should forget.



Making friends out of enemies - 1791

King Gustav along with his advisors and the government soon realized that a continuation of hostile relations with Russia was a bad thing, a really bad thing if truth be told. They came up with a surprising yet bold idea.

They would try to form an alliance with their former enemy. The French revolution was spreading and the European powers had started some probing among each other to band together in response. Gustav wrote a letter to his cousin czaritza Catherine the Great of Russia. He asked her to let bygones be bygones and if she could find it in her heart to see the past war as passing clouds in the sky. To see the reasons in an alliance among neighbors and solidate a strong defensive pact in northeastern Europe.

Catherine to the surprise of the Swedish cabinet responded with interest of the suggestion. The following months negotiations took place. Catherine sarcastically stated that the performance of the Swedish army hardly impressed the Russian general staff, perhaps Russia should be the one training the Swedish troops if Sweden was to be a dependable ally? King Gustav did not waste a minute too long for that subtle invitation and started negotiating for Russian subsidies. The negotiations took a new turn when the Russian leaders had an opportunity to tie Sweden closer, and more dependent on Russian influence. After careful calculations and more negotiations Russia was willing to pay Sweden 300 000 rubles annually for 8 years to improve the armed forces of Sweden, should the revolutions spread or the national assembly of France start looking for expansion Russia could indeed benefit from a friendly Sweden that could aid them in such a war instead of taking opportunity when Russia was preoccupied elsewhere.

In a private conversation ruling cousin to ruling cousin Catherine talked about her grand daughters and where they should live, preferably rule.

“-Your son is still available for engagement, is he not?” she asked Gustav.

“-He is, though he is not yet 13. A little early to take a wife. Better he grows to more of a man first”- he answered with a wink.

“-And Alexandra is just 8. But when your boy is a man in 5 years she is 13 and a young woman. And such a union would bring our nations closer together”

“-True, they would make a good match. But to officially engage them now might be too soon, don´t you agree?”

“-Yes, that is also true. Perhaps if we wait until your son is 15 and my grand daughter is 10 before we start official negotiations of marriage?”

“-That sound like a splendid idea my dear Catherine! However, if your grand daughter is to be queen in a allied country, would you not prefer it was in a strong country? Perhaps if the subsidies was to increase…..”

“-Well, well, well Gustav, you surely do not waste a moment when it comes to money, do you? Alright, I will see what I can do”.

They continued their talks until the darkness forced them to wish each other a good night. Gustav hoped that some increase of the subsidies was possible, he had grand plans on how to use them. Catherine had already made up her mind. Alexandra was to wed prince Gustav and become the future queen of Sweden. And her new land was to be a country highly influenced by the Russian empire. But formally an ally, and an ally that could field a more impressing force than it had in the war of 1788-1790.



In september a defensive alliance between the Russian empire and the kingdom of Sweden was officially signed. Both countries was obligated to come to the others aid should either country be attacked. Neither country was obligated to come to the others aid in the case of either country was an aggressor in a war. Russia was to send subsidies of 400 000 rubles annually for 10 years to be used to reform and build up the armed forces of Sweden. The goal was to make Sweden a dependable ally that could actually aid Russia in a war. The Russian side saw the alliance and the subsidies as an excellent way to make Sweden a semi client state. Sweden saw the alliance as an excellent way for Sweden to receive aid should it be attacked and a tremendously helpful financial support in the reorganization and build up that had started.

Few was the military leaders who thought a strengthening of the navy and army could transform the Swedish forces to a feared and powerful force as it was before the great northern war, that was reserved to the dreamers. But most agreed that a larger, better trained and better equipped army could result in that the long period of losing lands would hopefully end.

This is very interesting but I’m not sure if CII could be that generous with the subsidies. By the early 1790s Russian government was already operating with a high budget deficit: by the end of her reign the total deficit was 200,000,000, which almost equal to 3 annual budgets (in 1796 - 78,000,000). International debt (loans to government the deficit) amounted to 42,000,000 and for the internal purposes “solution” was a continued emission of the paper money with their resulting devaluation (*): while a silver ruble cost 130 kopek, a paper one only 70. So, while not being completely unrealistic, annual allocation of 400,000 for Sweden could be problematic for the Russian budget. Which does not mean that CII would not promise, just that she may have problem with delivering.

Politically, a real usefulness of such a program was anything but clear: while CII had been talking about crashing the French revolution, she did nothing and by 1791 it was anything but clear that there would be a war (started only in 1792) and even less clear that it would spread beyond the French borders. For all other purposes having a reformed Swedish army would be counterproductive even if at this specific moment Sweden is an ally: during the XVIII century switches from friendliness to its opposite happened more than once.
The only enemy (besides Sweden itself) which realistically could decide to attack Russia at that time was Ottoman Empire against which Sweden was completely useless. OTOH, promise to defend Sweden may get Russia potentially involved into a war with Prussia or Denmark neither of which would be a welcomed perspective.

________
(*) On his accession Paul had to issue a proclamation assuring that value of the paper money is based on the people’s trust and is going to be supported.

 

[Deleted member 147978]

Liked and Watched.

 

[Anarch King of Dipsodes]

In a private conversation ruling cousin to ruling cousin

Where and when does this conversation happen? Does Gustav visit St. Petersburg? That would be a huge deal.

 

[Jakashan]

This is very interesting but I’m not sure if CII could be that generous with the subsidies. By the early 1790s Russian government was already operating with a high budget deficit: by the end of her reign the total deficit was 200,000,000, which almost equal to 3 annual budgets (in 1796 - 78,000,000). International debt (loans to government the deficit) amounted to 42,000,000 and for the internal purposes “solution” was a continued emission of the paper money with their resulting devaluation (*): while a silver ruble cost 130 kopek, a paper one only 70. So, while not being completely unrealistic, annual allocation of 400,000 for Sweden could be problematic for the Russian budget. Which does not mean that CII would not promise, just that she may have problem with delivering.

Politically, a real usefulness of such a program was anything but clear: while CII had been talking about crashing the French revolution, she did nothing and by 1791 it was anything but clear that there would be a war (started only in 1792) and even less clear that it would spread beyond the French borders. For all other purposes having a reformed Swedish army would be counterproductive even if at this specific moment Sweden is an ally: during the XVIII century switches from friendliness to its opposite happened more than once.
The only enemy (besides Sweden itself) which realistically could decide to attack Russia at that time was Ottoman Empire against which Sweden was completely useless. OTOH, promise to defend Sweden may get Russia potentially involved into a war with Prussia or Denmark neither of which would be a welcomed perspective.

________
(*) On his accession Paul had to issue a proclamation assuring that value of the paper money is based on the people’s trust and is going to be supported.

Well OTL a defensive alliance between Russia and Sweden was signed.
OTL subsidies of 300 000 rubles annually for 8 years was paid.
During research I could not find something that could hinder it politically to be raised if the that meant Russia had a higher influence in Sweden and that made Sweden more dependent of Russia.

Denmark would not attack Sweden if Russia was a defensive ally of Sweden. "The Eternal Alliance betwee Russia and Denmark did exist.
My homebrew view of the situation was that Russia could potentially dominate the baltic sea with the two other baltic naval powers as allies that Russia could influence massively, and as OTL history show Russia was indeed interested in a alliance with Sweden in the 1790s.
Prussia in this time for me is unlikely to attack Swedish Pomerania if that could result in a war with Russia, as before an Swedish-Russian defensive alliance did exist in real history.
The idea of supporting a Swedish build up could be accepted by Russia is that Russia would probably want an ally that could help in for example a war with Prussia and that Russia by no means considers Sweden as a threat.
OTL the reform from cavalry to infantry did happen, I just changed one regiment who did not reform from one that did. And the Scanian regiments was raised in 1811, so 20 years early here (but that wont be implemented until 1795).

But I am going to be completely honest and say that I am just winging it and see how it goes in this timeline. I appreciate all help and input.
I am no historian by far, I am an ecologist and my former expierience in writing in english, wich is a second langauge for me, is limited to writing abstracts on scientific reports/papers. But I do find the "what if" scenarios really interesting. Found this site by coincidence about ten years ago reading @von Adler 's TL "a different Finnish war" on the Swedish forum "Skalman". Long time reader and short time member.

 

[Jakashan]

Where and when does this conversation happen? Does Gustav visit St. Petersburg? That would be a huge deal.

Summer 1791, in Stockholm.
Why would it be a huge deal? An alliance between Russia and Sweden was formed in 1791, and the new king Gustav IV was invited and visited St. Petersburg in 1796.

 

[Jürgen]

Gustav III sought Russian support in the mid 1780´s for the incorporation of Norway to the Swedish realm. So I do not have to change anyting regarding his interest in Norway, it was there the whole time.

It was a long term strategic plan of Sweden so nothing unrealistic about it, the main problem with it was that it was pure foolishness. Sweden believed that Norway would become a new Finland, which they could threat in a similar way, The problem was that Norway didn’t have that potential and that there was no positive synergy effect of Norway as a Swedish province. Sweden would have been far better off simply looking inward and develop the territory they already own.