Sweden Attacks Denmark in 1779

Okay, during the American Revolution and War of Bavarian Succession, Gustav III got ideas. And when absolutist monarchs (I prefer the term dictator but recognize most people consider it inappropriate) get ideas, they usually involve invading neighboring countries. While urging France to itnervene in Bavaria in 1778, Gustav III debated going to war with Denmark to occupy Norway. Indeed, government ministers submitted a long memorandum to that affect in 1779.

Creutz enthusiastically urged such a course in a long memorandum submitted on November 24, I779. By I783, the conquest of Norway had become Gustav's dominating interest and Creutz was called home to become foreign minister, in which capacity he served until his death two years later.

(He also considered invading the Empire to retake Verden and Bremen).

Suppose Gustav had decided to go to war with Denmark?
 
Gustav probably isn't going to move unless France promises to do something. French finances were too stretched following the American Revolution, and Sweden essentially walked in lock-step with France. It was French money that financed Gustav's coup in 1772 that ended the Age of Liberty in Sweden.

If he does move, though, it does threaten to cause a general war to break out in Europe. France may protest but won't do anything. They probably won't actively sign on to any alliance. I can't imagine Catherine to be too happy with the Swedes, and Russia and Denmark were often close friends, if not allies. Russia is also not tied up with the Ottomans at the time... if anything, if the invasion happens soon enough it could bring the War of the Bavarian Succession into a wider (and longer lasting) conflict.
 

Oddball

Monthly Donor
..., and Russia and Denmark were often close friends, if not allies.

They were indeed allies.

In 1765, 1769 and lastly with the Eternal Alliance in 1773, Denmark-Norway and Russia formalized their alliance that would last until Russia's anexing of Finland in 1810.
 

Oddball

Monthly Donor
Suppose Gustav had decided to go to war with Denmark?

Probably the same that happened when he went to war in 1788. Even tough that was directed against Rusiia, the Eternal Alliance between D-N and Russia made sure that war agains one was war against both.

The war in 1788 pettered out after Swedish losses in Finland and involvement from other great powers with interests inm aintaining status quo in Norden.

IMHo the same would happened in1780 :)
 
Probably the same that happened when he went to war in 1788. Even tough that was directed against Rusiia, the Eternal Alliance between D-N and Russia made sure that war agains one was war against both.

The war in 1788 pettered out after Swedish losses in Finland and involvement from other great powers with interests inm aintaining status quo in Norden.

IMHo the same would happened in1780 :)

Apparently the Danish navy and army were also larger. So I have no idea what Sweden was thinking.
 

Valdemar II

Banned
Apparently the Danish navy and army were also larger. So I have no idea what Sweden was thinking.

Sweden tended to be rather stupid in this periode, but it should also be remembered, that while modern historians know this today, at the time the size of the armies was state secrets, even censuses was kept secret from foreign powers so they wouldn't have a idea about the strenght og weakness of the states. It's alo why the first known Danish census are from 1741, with the fire of Copenhagen in 1730 much of the old archieves was destroyed, and copies was banned.
 
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