What if Sweden had joined the Crimean War and retaken Finland?
Sweden was interested in joining the Crimean war, but was making a diplomatic effort to have Prussia and Austria join too - Sweden knew that winning the Crimean War would just be the start - 10-20 years later the Russians would be back. Thus a wider pact to push Russia back was needed - a Swedo-Prussian-Austrian-Ottoman anti-Russian alliance could work. Going at it alone against Russia would not. The Russo-Turkish war of 1877 shows that this sentiment was pretty much spot on.
The Russians made peace before Prussia and Austria could be enticed into war. If the war lasts longer and the Tsar (either Nicholai I living longer or Alexander II being as stubborn) refuses to budge, it might happen.
The question is, can Sweden hold it? And what is the reaction of the Finns? They got a very good deal before Russofication in the 1880s. The elites had vast career prospects in the Imperial Russian administration, navy and army, the locals were mostly left alone and had their own estates parliament to rule them.
If Sweden allows the Finnish estates parliament to continue, most of the Finns will be happy. Most of the elites will not.
The Ottomans could actually have won the war of 1877-1878. The problem with Sweden is they have a lower population therefore less manpower against the Russian Bear. It was even less that the Ottomans. The low manmpower in combination with the Finns desiring the czar over the Swedes.
Unless there is a guarantee from the British that prptects the Swedish conquest, Russia will return.
Sweden would face serious resistance in Finland if it manage re-capture Finland.
Finland during the Crimean war is a very different Finland than the Finland Sweden lost in 1809. It's a Finland that has existed as a semi autonomous Grand Duchy for over 40 years, and really doesn't have much interest in becoming integrated in Sweden again.At some point they may. But in the immediate aftermath of the conflict there's no question that being under Swedish rule is more advantageous than Russian.
Operations in Continental Finland would be much more challenging. Finland is one of the main defence perimeters aound the St. Petersburg so if there was a Swedish troops moving around there, Russia would respond to that.
At some point they may. But in the immediate aftermath of the conflict there's no question that being under Swedish rule is more advantageous than Russian.
That's nothing. I've read here that Austria and Prussia joining would win the war for Russia. Russia stronk!When this has come upo before variouse people have argued that Stronk Russia will smash the swedes without in anyway reducing the forces deployed against the Anglo French. Then they will send the many forces no longer needed to face the Swedes and smash the Anglo French and then capture the Dardanells and then the world.......
(That might be a slight exageration but I have seen it argued a number of times that the Swedes joining the war only helps Russia....)
It's the law of conversation of ninjitsu. A single foe who has to fight many enemies becomes strong enough to defeat each of them until only one is left, then the odds revert to even again for the final duel.That's nothing. I've read here that Austria and Prussia joining would win the war for Russia. Russia stronk!
Plus Baltics and maybe even Ukraine.What would Austria and Prussia get out of declaring war on Russia? Would they just want the polish territory they lost at the Congress of Vienna?
If Norway is the template I imagine that the limited career prospects in the Swedish military would be dealt with throughThat would not have dealt with limited career prospects in small Swedish military
The question is, can Sweden hold it? And what is the reaction of the Finns? They got a very good deal before Russofication in the 1880s. The elites had vast career prospects in the Imperial Russian administration, navy and army, the locals were mostly left alone and had their own estates parliament to rule them.
If Sweden allows the Finnish estates parliament to continue, most of the Finns will be happy. Most of the elites will not.
Plus Baltics and maybe even Ukraine.