Strong Scandinavia, United Scadinavia...?

Does anyone have any tips that would keep Sweden a military power (and possibly get Finland back from Russia) or come up with a way to get most or all of Scandinavia under one flag (it doesn't have to be Sweden)?

Please keep your answers from 1700 on. Thanks a bunch!
 
I remember a story about treachery involving a Finnish fortress that was the key to taking Finland for Russia (During the Finnish War). If the fortress commander had been someone else, and the Swedes had come to the relief of that fortress, perhaps the Scandinavians hold together? I don't know about Denmark, though. Also, Swedish King Gustav IV Adolph was clearly outclassed by Tsar Alexander I.
 
If 1700 is the limit, then have Karl XII go straight for Moscow in 1703 after the Battle of Narva in the Great Northern War, instead of going into Poland. He can probably take and hold Moscow, forcing the Russians to make peace. Then he can deal with the Poles. This POD assumes a change in Karl's personality, though. He saw everything as personal. Since the King of Poland started the war, he was itching to teach him a lesson. Russia was a side-show to him. If you can get him to change his priorities, then this POD is very viable.

Sweden probably gains Courland from Poland, and a pro-Swedish king on the Polish throne. Maybe, Tsar Peter the Great is killed/deposed, greatly hindering the modernization of Russia. I'd be interested in how the War of the Spanish Succession turns out, and if Karl decides to get involved in that.

Past this, if Sweden plays its cards right, it can remain a major player in Europe, possibly taking Norway in another war with Denmark.

Russia will always be a threat to this Sweden, though. If you can somehow neutralize Russia, then your task is done.
 
If 1700 is the limit, then have Karl XII go straight for Moscow in 1703 after the Battle of Narva in the Great Northern War, instead of going into Poland. He can probably take and hold Moscow, forcing the Russians to make peace. Then he can deal with the Poles. This POD assumes a change in Karl's personality, though. He saw everything as personal. Since the King of Poland started the war, he was itching to teach him a lesson. Russia was a side-show to him. If you can get him to change his priorities, then this POD is very viable.

Sweden probably gains Courland from Poland, and a pro-Swedish king on the Polish throne. Maybe, Tsar Peter the Great is killed/deposed, greatly hindering the modernization of Russia. I'd be interested in how the War of the Spanish Succession turns out, and if Karl decides to get involved in that.

Past this, if Sweden plays its cards right, it can remain a major player in Europe, possibly taking Norway in another war with Denmark.

Russia will always be a threat to this Sweden, though. If you can somehow neutralize Russia, then your task is done.

Thanks a bunch-the War of the Spanish Succession is exactly what I'm working with. I really wanted to keep Scandinavia as a player in Europe and all this is really helpful: I'll keep all those tips in mind.
 
Also the Napoleonic wars are an option. If Napoleon had invaded Russia earlier the Finnish war of 1808/09 would have never happened and perhaps Sweden could also take advantage of this situation and seize some Russian territory.

The problem is I cannot see Gustav Adolph IV successfully pull off something big like that.
 
Victory in the Great Nordic War would be a good starting point. The Swedes will probably get Courland, which had a decent fleet and merchant navy and related infrastructure at this time. Wityh some cooperation with the naval powers, the Courland colonial claims might become Swedish.

You probably need Peter to die or face a coup after losing the Great Nordic War, and thus have Russia revert to traditionalist values and perhaps some civil strife, so that it takes another 100 years for it to gain real Grand Power status - this would help Sweden immensly.

Swedish capture of Norway from Denmark at some point, preferably early, before the Norwegians get a chance to elect their own King and Parliament.

With a small colonial empire, control over the Baltic trade, the Norwegian merchant fleet and good relations with the sea powers (later only Britain) Sweden could become a strong local power.
 
Well the Napoleonic Wars seem the obvious place to look since Sweden can avoid losing Finland to Russia, and can hold onto Pomerania as well.

Of course, all you need now are PODs and timelines, but one can manufacture those aplenty!

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
A major threat on the continent, e.g. an earlier united Germany, say, might get the Nordics to unite as a counter-balance, to avoid being swallowed up.
 
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