Swedish History

Kalmar Union - This was a group of three independent kingdoms (Denmark, Norway, Sweden) under a single monarchy. Although each country was sovereign, the union was dominated by Denmark.

Eventually Sweden became dissatisfied with the union and on June 6, 1523, elected King Gustav Vasa as king and declared independence. June 6, is still celebrated as Sweden's National Day.

The Kalmar Union remained in place until 1536, when Denmark declared Norway to be a Danish province.

Scandinavian Seven Years' War. In 1560 both Sweden and Denmark installed new rulers, Erik XIV of Sweden, and Frederik II of Denmark. Each was intent on destroying the other. However, after seven years of battle, neither was victorious but both were exhausted. The confrontation ended with no land exchanging hands.

Kalmar War - War declared by Denmark after Sweden claimed sovereignty of the Finnmark region of Norway. This was the beginning of almost two centuries of war between Denmark and Sweden.

The Thirty Years' War involved most of Europe and was fought primarily in what is now Germany. It was largely a religious war, and pitted Protestants against Catholics. Later it evolved into a war between France and the Habsburgs (Austria).

Concerned about growing Habsburg power along the Baltic, Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden invaded Germany. Later he invaded Denmark and in 1629, Denmark was forced to surrender land (including the two Norwegian provinces of Jämtland and Härjedalen) to Sweden. This was a decisive victory for Sweden, which placed it as the leading power in the Baltic.

During the next 30 years there were a series of Dano-Swedish Wars. During the Torstensson Feud of 1643-45 and the two Karl Gustav wars it was Sweden who tried to force Denmark into its Empire. It almost succeeded in 1659. Complete takeover was averted by outside forces, but still Sweden acquired Danish land in the Treaty of Roskilde.

Battle of Lützen - King Gustav Adolphus was killed November 6, 1632 (Julian calendar) at Lützen while leading a calvary charge. This was a significant loss as Gustav Adolphus was considered to be the leader of the Protestant forces.

Even after Sweden adopted the Gregorian calendar, in the 18th century, the death of Gustav Adolphus continued to be commemorated on November 6.

King Frederick III of Denmark declared war on Sweden and was defeated.

Treaty of Copenhagen - Fixed the borders of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Norway became part of Denmark. The Danish king began to rule as absolute monarch.

Scanian War - King Christian V of Denmark started this war while Sweden was preoccupied with a war against Brandenburg. Denmark hoped to reclaim some of the land lost in the Treaty of Roskilde. Initially, Denmark made gains in the war, but eventually Charles XI of Sweden nullified the gains and the war was a stalemate.

Great Northern War. Up until 1700, Sweden was the great power of the Baltic Sea. In 1700 a coalition of Russia, Denmark-Norway, Poland-Lithuania and Saxony, set out to wrest that power from Sweden. Although outmanned, Sweden was victorious in the early years of the war. But, in the end Russia would prevail and they became the great power of the Baltic and of Eastern Europe.

Napoleanic Wars - Sweden fought on the side of Britain under the promise of receiving Norway.

Battle of Copenhagen - Prior to this battle, Denmark-Norway had remained neutral. This battle led to the Treaty of Kiel whereby Denmark ceded Norway to Sweden.

Finnish War - Russia waged war against Sweden. Russian won and Sweden was divided into two parts separated by the Gulf of Bothnia. The eastern part became the Russian Grand Duchy of Finland.

The Treaty of Kiel brought about the dissolution of the Danish-Norway Union. Denmark was forced to turn Norway over to Sweden.

The Norwegian-Swedish War of 1814. Norway was tired of being ruled and, in spite of the Treaty of Kiel, attempted to gain their own independence. They drafted a constitution in May, 1814, and on May 17, the constitution was sign and Danish Prince Christian Frederik was chosen King. Representatives of britain attempted to persuade Norway to join with Sweden, but they failed.

On August 1, the Swedish army invaded Norway. After two weeks the hopelessly outmanned Noregian army surrendered. However the battle was not in vain for Norway. They agreed to a personal union with Sweden, but retained some powers, and were allowed to retain their constitution. The date of the signing of the constitution, May 17, is still celebrated as National Day in Norway.

The union with Sweden lasted until 1905.

Dissolution of union between Norway and Sweden - Norway's parliament unilaterally dissolved the union on June 7, 1905. After months of tension and the threat of war, Sweden officially recognized Norway's independence on October 26, 1905, when King Oscar II of Sweden renounced his claims to the Norwegian throne.

In the resolution of June 7, Norway invited King Oscar II to name one of his sons as King of Norway. This was done as a gesture of respect and would not alter the fact that Norway would remain a monarchy. King Oscar II declined this offer when he renounced his claim to the throne.

Subsequently, Prince Carl of Denmark was chosen to be King. Carl was married to the daughter of King Edward VII of England. It was hoped this would help establish a friendly relationship with England. Carl took the name King Haakon VII and was sworn in as King on November 27, 1905. Haakon is a traditional name used by Noregian kings, the last having died in 1380.

World War I - Norway remained neutral.

Sweden also declared neutrality, but natural social and trading ties with Germany tended to favor Germany. As a result Great Britain interfered with Sweden's commerce and Sweden suffered, after 1916, from a shortage of food.

World War II - The 30-day invasion of Norway by Germany lasted from April 9 to May 9, 1940. This was the longest lasting defense against a German invasion of the European countries. King Haakon VII left the country and spent the rest of the war years in London. Germany occupied Norway continuously until May 8, 1945.

Sweden remained neutral during the war, although German traffic was allowed through Sweden most of the war.