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The flight of Charles XII to Bender with his supporters brought about
a new phase of the war. During the siege of Poltava, he was conducting
negotiations with Turkey hoping on its support. And after defeat at Poltava
Charles considered Turkish forces as a real and single means with which he
intended to continue the struggle against Russia. He promised Sultan Ahmed III
at the head of his "valiant cavalry" to carry his arms into the heart
of Muscovy. On the other hand Peter pressed the sultan to prevent the king from
leaving his territory. Peter protested against the voyage of Charles with a
large escort through Poland to join the Swedish army in Pomerania. Golitsyn was
ordered to halt a possible invasion of Poland. But later the anti-Russian party
led by Devlet-Girei was in control in Constantinople and in November of 1710
Turkey declared war, justifying its action by protesting against the
strengthening of Azov and building of the forts.
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Meanwhile Peter had signed an agreement with gospodar of Moldavia
Demetrius Kantemir, which made the principality part of the Russian empire.
Officially it a was military alliance which affirmed the possible success and
provided the help from both Moldavia and Wallachia. The Russian forces with
Peter himself advanced through Ukraine and crossed the Danube only in June
1710. But the Turkish army moved with unexpected speed. And the vizier
succeeded to take a suitable position. And when Russians reached Stanelishte on
the Pruth they found themselves blockaded by the greatly numerous Turkish
force. The position of Peter was rather desperate and Russians seemed about to
become prisoners of the sultan. Moreover the supplies of his army were
restricted and the lack of provision and forage was not available. Peter's
attempts to break through the Turkish ring were a failure. After that Peter
appointed his most able subordinate in foreign policy Baron Shafirov to conduct
the peace negotiations with Mehmed Pasha. Peter was agreed to all Turkish
demands apart from slavery. But Shafirov displayed his wisdom and diplomatic
skillfulness. He succeeded to make the terms imposed by Mehmed Pasha much less
disastrous. Besides that the important role in this actions played
contradictions between Crimea Khan Devlet-Girey and sultan and also some sum,
which was given to Turkish officials as a bribe. The Russians were obliged to
abolish the fortress in Azov, Taganrog and forts on the Dnieper. This meant the
loss of the fleet. As a result of the events on the Pruth Peter had suffered
humiliating military and political defeat. His high hopes which he relied upon
Orthodox Christians of the Balkans were deceptive. But in the end Peter applied
the terms agreed on the Pruth with extreme reluctance. And in April 1712
Shafirov was able to sign another peace treaty, that made Peter free to embark
into the actions in Pomerania, where a strong Swedish army was placed.
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The Struggle in Pomerania and Holstein
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After defeats and crushing in Finland and Karelia, the Swedes possessed
the single remaining army of Krasau, which Charles left in Poland to cooperate
with him. In February 1710 at Helsingborg the Swedish units of Gen. Steinbock
routed the splendidly dressed and equipped Danes capturing 3,000 of them. But
it was moment of comfort indeed the Swedes on the brink of the defeat. On the
contrary enemies believed Sweden to be much stranger then she was. They tried
to make local war actions. European maritime powers Holland and England feared
that, if Sweden attempted to engage to guarantee the neutrality of Charles'
German possessions, such contingency had confirmed in Hague in March 20th 1710.
But in August Danish troops had disturbed neutrality and invaded Pomerania.
Russians and Saxons (16,000) marched to join them. They were closely investing
Stralsund. Unfortunately for the Swedes the units of Grudzinski upon whom they
relied had been routed. The Army of Stenbock was not strong enough to relieve
Stralsund. Meanwhile allies besieged Vismar. But mutual pretensions dragged out
the decisive actions. In addition storm had made return the Danish vessels with
siege artillery. So the aliens had to raise the siege of Stralsund and to leave
about 6,000 Danish soldiers in nearby Wismar. The plans of the future actions
which were worked out by Saxon, Danes and Peter differed greatly each one from
another. Peter attempted to win over to his side Prussia and wanted to siege
Stetin. Danes and Saxons proposed to continue besiege of Stralsund and Wismar.
Russian forces of Menshikov had not sufficiently siege artillery and actions
near Stralsund were ineffective. At last Menshikov set out towards Stralsund
which was already blockaded by Saxon and Danes. Meanwhile the Swedes decided to
take advantage of the indecision of allies. They succeeded to land troops of
Stenbock (18,000) started to Stralsund and broke through the blockade. Then he
had undertaken march towards Rostock and occupied it. But his difficulties
increased regiments were exhausted and he had consented to an armistice offered
by the Saxon Commander in Chief and Minister, Fleming. So Peter not having any
information about it was in an ambiguous situation.
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The king of Denmark was displeased with this truce and he wrote to his
allies "We must unite all our forces to crush Stenbock and his 18,000
men". A large Danish army commanded by King Frederic was approaching
Stenbock from the west. The Russian - Saxon units were marching from the east.
Stenbock determined to anticipate them and attack the Danes before they joined
the allies. He had broken down all the bridges behind himself. Passing the
Wismar he came suddenly upon the Danish camp at Gadebusch and fell upon the
Danes without any delay, because the Russian and Saxon squadrons were following
hard upon his heels. The Swedish artillery handled by C. Cronstedt wrought
fearful havoc. A few charges of the Danish cavalry were repulsed by fire of the
Swedish batteries and infantry regiments. During two hours both quarters
several times came too close.
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Many of the Swedish regiments lost all their officers. Danes were
compelled to retreat towards Holstein. This victory improved for a time the
position of Sweden but she did not succeeded to bring about a fundamental
improvement charge.. Sweden found herself face to face with the necessity of
surrendering part of her dominions in order to save the rest. But Charles
remained immovable and was determined to resist to the death rather then make
the slightest concession. But Stenbock's army was his last force. But its
position was almost desperate. Stenbock was surrounded by some 36,000 allies's
troops who prepared to attack him. He determined to make an impetuous march to
Altona in Holstein. This city was set on fire, only a hundred of the poorest
houses and the churches remained. This so-called "victory" had not
improved the Swedish position. Stenbock had not succeeded to strengthen his
army because the shifted wind drove the Swedish fleet back to Sweden. Stenbock
could not hope in a hard winter, which might enable him to cross to the Scaw or
Lunen. But the weather became mild and that compelled him to abandon this
project. At last his units were driven into the western corner of the Slezwick.
He was attacked by the Russians and had to take cover in the fortress of
Tonning. He hoped on the help of England but in May 1716 was forced to
surrender to Frederic IV. On 4 July the Russian-Danish forces captured Rugen
Island and Menshikov began the siege of Stetin. After intensive artillery
bombardment, this strong point surrendered and then was transferred to Prussia
as a temporary possession. Indeed Prussia strove to isolate Russia from her
alliance, composing a project of helping Sweden. Charles agreed to lose all of
Pomerania rather than give up Stettin.
But indeed the situation for Sweden herself was pitiful. In spite of this the
Swedish king was determined to continue to fight. He attempted to raise troops
in Germany and contrived to collect 17,000 men about Straslund. Charles tried
to prevent the Russian landing and bade to pitch and entrench nearby Stresow.
But his communications were cut off and desperate attacks were beaten off with
the terrible loses. Swedes were forced to carry back to Stralsund, which was
captured in December 12th 1715. The day before Charles had quitted Pomerania in
a little boat.
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The Campaign in Finland - and the end of the war
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The very important phase of the Northern war was connected with the
operations in Finland, where the Russian command attempted to develop a massive
offensive. According to this plan, the Baltic navy ought to have played the
decisive role. By 1713 in the Finnish Gulf had been concentrated more then 15
ships of line and frigates not to mention landing crafts and barges. In spring
the Russian squadrons of galleys with 16,000 men on board moved towards
Finland. Owing to the combined attack the Russians succeeded to capture
Helsingfors, but the Swedish troops were not crushed and Gen. Armfeld with his
regiments could retire. However by this action he opened the route to Borgo. At
same time the Swedish army (15,000) led by Gen. Libeker did a forced march and
really threatened the Russian communications and rear. Taking into account this
maneuver, the Russian command decided to leave Helsingfors and start to Borgo.
After a successful storm or blockade the Russian units must have come back and
entered Helsingfors once again.
This plan could be realized only partly. So the Swedish squadrons were not
defeated. Moreover the units of Admiral Lillie had a very good chance to escape
any combat with the Russians. During the chase, 3 Russian ships, including the
flagship, Kryise, ran aground, while the rest had to stop fire. But later the
Russians assembled their units and on July 15th the rowing fleet under the
command of F.M. Apraksin attacked and captured Helsingfors. This victory was of
great importance because as a result the Swedes had lost the last strong point
in this region. After the surrender of Helsingfors, the offensive actions of
Peter continued. The separate unit of 12,000 men led by M. M. Golitsyn marched
along the coastline, while the galley's squadron of Bocis moved towards Abo
through the skerres. On August 28th the Swedish regiments of rear guard were
defeated and forced to withdraw and the Russian detachments captured the
fortress. Simultaneously the corps (16,000) of Apraksin continued to press the
enemy, who attempted to use their favored position near the Pnlkina River.
October 6th Golitsyn carried out the turning movement and having crossed by
floats over Mallesvesi lake surprised the Swedes. They attempted to arrange a
countercharge but their dragoons were dispersed by the Russian artillery. In
their turn the Russian cavalry charged the both flanks of the Swedish position,
which forced them to withdraw loosing almost all artillery and train. By the
end of 1713 the most part of Finland was captured by the Russians.
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The full defeat of the Swedish troops occurred near v. Lappola.
Golitsyn formed his regiments in two lines placing artillery on flanks. The
Swedish infantry attempted to break through the center of the Russian position
but was repulsed by fire and bayonets. In their turn the Swedish lines stemmed
the attacks of the Russian infantry. This combat lasted yet for several hours
and only when the Russian cavalry charged the rear of the foe were the Swedes
forced to retire. In August this year the garrison of Nejshlot, which was
considered really the last Swedish fortress in Finland, surrendered and the
main theater of war was removed to sea.
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In summer 1714 the famous sea fight near Hangut Cape took place. Not
long before the Russian reconnaissance fixed the movement of the Swedish
squadrons led by Admiral Watrang to Hangut. This unit comprised 15 ships of
line, 3 frigates and rowing vessels. Soon Watrang took a suitable position near
extremity of the cape waiting approach march of the Russians. Peter decided to
overreach the Swedish command and to escape a combat with their main forces.
With that end in view he ordered to drag his galleys over the cape from one
side to another. But the Swedes succeeded to discover this intentions and they
prepared to attack the Russians during their crossing. For this purpose the
Swedes had divided their navy in two parts and this blunder was used by Peter.
Taking into account this maneuver and also calm seas the Russians turned round
the Swedish ships, which stayed motionless and really blockaded them. It was
the unit of Erenshild who was sent to attack the Russians. That way the issue
of the future battle had been predetermined. July 27th more then 30 Russian
galleys attacked 10 Swedish ships. However this action was stopped twice but in
the third time the Russians succeeded to approach for boarding, while Watrang
was a simple witness of this crushing. After 3 hours of fierce artillery fire
and hand to hand fight the most part of the Swedish squadron was captured or
sunk. It was the first marine victory of the Russians in the war and they got a
real opportunity to begin operations in the nearby Aland isles. Meanwhile the
Russian forces had occupied Umeo on the Gulf of Bothnia and stayed there for a
month. As a result a possibility to make a land on the Swedish coastline became
real. At the same time the Swedes began to reinforce and fortify their shores.
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The Russians acquired new allies and on May 1st, 1715 Prussia at last
declared war on Charles XII and in October Hanover joined the Northern
Alliance. But however the anti-Swedish coalition became more heterogeneous and
it was very difficult to hold all members of this union together. For instance
the Danes were against the participation of Holstein Gottorp and Prussians
wished to gain Stettin without almost any effort and risk. Partly this reason
made clear sluggishness of the Danish fleet what forced Peter to give up
landing actions on the south shores of Sweden. Moreover European countries were
seriously worried by making Russia a great power, especially a strong naval
state.
As a result of some distractions and uncertainties inside of the anti-Swedish
coalition, Denmark and Hanover refused to wage a war against Swedish realm. The
hostility of England to Russia was genuine. In this situation Peter decided to
become good with France and the treaty between them and Prussia was signed in
August 1717 in Amsterdam. Charles XII refused to conclude a treaty with
England, whose demands were very ambitious, and simultaneously he put claims on
Verder and Bremen, which were considered the possessions of King of England
George I. In its turn England wished to frustrate the possible negotiations
between Russia and Sweden, perspective of which became real after the Amsterdam
treaty. British diplomacy tried to disrupt the Northern Alliance and this
policy angered Peter. Besides establishment of the Russia army in Mecklenburg,
where troops of Prince Repnin were evacuated to after unsuccessful enterprise
with Danes to invade the Swedish coastline. The position of Peter inspired the
additional hostility to Russia. At last in summer 1717 Peter bade his army to
withdraw from this German state. But this action did not assuaged itself the
alarm in Europe. The main aim of Augustus II, Charles IV, emperor of the Holy
Rome Empire, and George First was to drive Russian forces from Poland. They
proposed to return to Sweden all the territory which were captured by Russia.
But the real anti-Russian coalition never came into existence. The Polish
Republic and Prussia indeed refused to help Sweden to oppose Russia. At the
same time the possibility of negotiations between Russia and Sweden was
available. Only in May 1718 Russian-Swedish peace talks opened on the Aland
isles. Osterman, head of the Russian delegation, skillfully conducted the talks
with A. Gots. After a strain discussions had reached ostensible agreement.
According to this treaty Russia lawfully became possessor of the Baltic
provinces. In his turn Peter promised auxiliary corps of 20,000 to act under
Swedish command against England. Charles XII was allowed to take Norwegian
territory from Denmark. But these conditions could not be realized because
there was powerful opposition in Sweden to treaty and later the opportunity to
conclude the peace treaty finally missed.
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In December 1718 Charles XII was killed while besieging the Norwegian
fortress of Frederiksen and the political group in Sweden, which come out in
favor to continue fight for the Littoral was in the saddle. Meanwhile the
economic and military potential was practically exhausted, its casualties were
about 100,000 men. But in spite of these unfavorable circumstances was
determined to continue a war. On the contrary Russian regular army and navy
were strong. At least more then 100,000 men were disposed in the Baltic
provinces.
Upon May 1719 the Russian navy on Baltic numbered 23 ships of line, 6 frigates
and 6 "shniavas" with crews and boarded 10,711 men and 1,672 guns.
Prussian command planned to make a landing nearby Evle and Norchoping and after
march towards Stockholm. The Swedes tried to drug out negotiations hoping on a
support of France and England. They were fortifying strong points along the
coast and disposed their main forces near the capital. In May 1719 occurred
fight sea near Esel Island and after fierce skirmishing lasted about 4 hours 35
Swedish ships were captured. In the summer the Russian command was determined
to strike a blow at Stockholm and galleys of Baltic navy began to act along the
Swedish coastline. However Swedes formed strong unit of 19 ships of line, which
protected the access to their capital. In July 1719 Russian Military Council
has confirmed the plan according to which there was arranged large-scale
landing operations on the territory of Sweden. The Russian squadron under
command of F.M. Apraksin was raiding through skerres along the Swedish shores.
Sometimes Russians succeeded to make landing. For instance in August the
Russian detachments led by Barjatinsky and Strekalov attacked the Swedish
vanguard of Duke Hessen Kassel who had 2 infantry and 1 cavalry regiments. The
combat lasted about 1 hour and at last Swedes were forced to retire.
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During July and August 1719 the Russian forces made landing ravaging
the country side to within a few miles of Stockholm itself. The main loss for
realm was destroy of metal factories which provided the Swedish industry and
army.
By autumn 1719 talks on Aland Isles had been finally frustrated and in August
the British squadron joined the Swedish fleet and in January 1720 England and
Sweden concluded the treaty implying the participation of the British navy in
actions against Russia. Prussia, pressed by George I, signed the treaty with
Sweden promising not to support Peter. But however Sweden did not give in
easily. The agreement signed with England gave Swedes only formed hope of it's
support. And indeed the position of Sweden was almost hopeless. In Britain
there was dislike of Baltic entanglements that could be partly explained by
Peter's declaration, which stimulated development of trade between Russia and
England. In spring after ice flood, war actions became more active. Peter was
determined to make large-scale landing near Vase, Umeo and Evle. At the same
time he bade to strengthen Revel in case of possible attack of the
Swedish-British squadron. Only in May 1720 this formation appeared near Revel.
And while the united squadron was toiling there the Russian landing party
attempted to invade the Swedish coastline. This action compelled them to start
towards Stockholm. Peter ordered his navy to cruise between Hangut and
Rogervick. In July the Russian formation led by Golitsyn moved to Abo. Near
Lemland Island there were concentrated two Swedish squadrons of Shobland and
Wachmeister. A strong wind prevented the Russians from attacking them. In a
Council of the Russian Command it was decided to withdraw to Grengam island and
wait for approach of enemy. The Swedish frigates tried to pursuit galleys and
boats of Golitsyn, but they could hardly act in the narrow strait abounded in
shoals and reefs. As a result 2 Swedish frigates run aground and were attacked
by the Russian galleys. The confidence and promptitude of the Russians
presented a marked contrast to the passivity of the Swedes. After the fierce
fight, these vessels were boarded. The 2 another frigates attempted to tear
themselves away to open sea but flagship of Shobland hampered to do it by its
position and maneuver. This frigates were captured too but Shobland succeeded
to outstrip the Russian pursuer. It was the last significant battle of the
Northern war and the Swedes were on the verge of political and economic
disaster. Besides that George I urged the Swedish government to conclude peace
treaty with Russia. In April 1720 the Swedish ambassador in Paris had discussed
perspectives of treaty with Schleinis, the Russian minister there. At the
beginning of 1721 representatives of Russia and Sweden arrived at Nystad, a
little town in Finland. The Russian government strongly adhered to the
conditions which had been laid down in Alands. The Russian diplomats were
unwilling to discuss the terms, connected with giving up Baltic provinces. At
the same time Russia refused Finland. The numerous army of Peter (150,000) was
disposed in Livonia and Estland. By the end of July all the main terms had been
discussed and mostly settled and in September on the night of 10-11 Nystad
treaty was signed. According to its points Livonia, Estland, Ingria, and
Karelia became Russian possessions. Peter agreed to pay Sweden 2 million
Reichstaler for Livonia. Poland and Britain were to be admitted to these
conditions as the allies of the both sides. Russia also promised not to
intervene in domestic struggle in Sweden.
This treaty meant not only the end of the Northern war. This event marked the
end of any pretence that Sweden was still a great power and simultaneously it
showed the fact Russia leapt to a startling new level of wealth and turning
into Empire.
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