Karl Peter Ulrich's War!

arctic warrior

From time to time the issue of what would happen if Elizabeth didn't die in 1762 and the Seven Years War continue crop up.
Another interesting - at least from at Danish point of view - is what would happen if Karl Peter Ulrich, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp successor to Elizabeth weren't dethroned by his wife, Catherine following his ascession of the throne and making peace with Prussia and then going for Denmark to settle the old score of his line with the Kings of Denmark(-Norway).

Now the time is ripe for checking this out! - no the Like Vultures! TL isn't dead yet, but I always find the going through of the Middle Ages to be a slugfest. There never seems to be an end to it.

This time the clock is set for 1762 - be warned though: butterflies will be greater in numbers than usual!

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[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Karl Peter Ulrich's War![/FONT]​


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]For six years war had raged in central Europe. During these years King Frederick 2. of Prussia had been able to defeat and keep his enemies at bay supported by British subsidiaries. But now his enemies had a firm grasp at his throat. Russian troops had entered Berlin and defeat loomed ahead.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But then Empress Elizabeth died making way for her successor prince Karl Peter Ulrich of the Holstein-Gottorp line; age old enemy of the Kingdom of Denmark.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]And if by the whim of a faerie this new Tsar Peter 3. showed himself an admirer of Frederick 2. and hurried to make peace and instead turned his gaze on this old enemy of his line - the King of Denmark. The Russian army was told to leave Berlin and march on Denmark.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As war and defeat loomed ahead the Danish government hired a French General and raised the largest army ever seen and sent it into Mecklenburg to meet the mighty foe. And the navy put to sea to deter any seaborne threats.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But then once again the faerie intervened and Tsar Peter was dethroned by his wife Catherine. Denmark was saved and the resolve to stand fast much celebrated.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]And all of this is a true story![/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But what if Catherine's coup had been foiled in its initial stages...?[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]1762[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The death of Empress Elizabeth pawed the way to the throne for prince Karl Peter Ulrich which he ascended as Tsar Peter 3.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Turning about in a most impressive way he made peace with Prussia and turned his attention towards Denmark-Norway to wipe the board of time and events passed since 1721 – the downfall of Holstein-Gottorp.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As the Russian armies turned North Danish foreign Minister JHE Bernstorff (of Hanover descent) turned his attention towards the west mobilizing all diplomatic effort to win Britain and the United Provinces for his course. Meanwhile the Danish army was mobilizing and General Count Claude Louis de Saint-Germain led it into Mecklenburg to await the Russian onslaught.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Danish-Norwegian Navy was likewise brought up to strength and a fleet of 14 Ships of the line sent into the Baltic to watch the flank of the army and prepare for countering possible Russian Naval expeditions.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Off we go to the POD:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Even if it doesn't seem so, to those living in the days past JHE Bernstorff were aware of Elizabeth's health and was working to be prepared for the day of her passing.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]He tried to secure the back of the Kingdom but was unsuccessful. Only the 1758 alliance with France stood as firm as its parties believed it to be.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]And Bernstorff would very much like Britain as a partner for his King. Even if said King was a drunkard! But Frederick 5. was sovereign and autocratic King and everybody had to obey him.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Bernstorff would also try the Grand Duke and to this sent emissaries to St. Petersburg. Not that it mattered much though.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Military preparations were made. Count Claude Louis de Saint-Germain entered service of the Danish-Norwegian King and began drilling the army. The contingent in Holstein steadily increased from the treaty obligations of 1758 of 24000 to 37000 in 1762.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Navy was put on a war footing. Initially 24 Ships of the Line, 12 frigates and two smaller ships were ordered to be fitted out but by 1762 this had been turned into 14 Ships of the Line with six frigates and a number of lesser units ready to meet the Russian threat presented by Admiral Spiridow and his 17 Ships of the Line.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As the death of Elizabeth was known on January 19. King Frederick 2. of Prussia rushed to acknowledge Tsar Peters demanding the Gottorp parts of Holstein and perhaps those of Slesvig. Frederick offered Prussian troops at the disposal of the Tsar.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Nobody wanted to stand beside Denmark-Norway in this dark hour! [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Britain declared neutrality, Austria offered to subsidize the Russian campaign and Prussia had already made peace with Russia and made her stand clear. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Sweden had made peace with Prussia and declared neutrality – but firmly rejected the demands of the Tsar of Naval support (and getting Norway in return). If any help Denmark-Norway would only meet the Russians on the Baltic.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The French seemed to remain an ally, but its coffers were empty and no help available.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Tsar Peter demanded mediation to be held in Berlin starting on July 12. Both sides were determined not to cede any ground – the Danes wanted to gain time, the Russians were eager to get a short end to it. Eight days were their time frame.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But events pointing to war had been obvious even before. On May 28. the troops of the Duchy of Gottorp had been marched off to Kolberg in Pommern to join the Russian army of General Rumiantzev's 40000 troops. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Two days later Rumiantzev were ordered by the Tsar to make preparations for war against Denmark-Norway and stockpile provisions.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]General Saint-Germain had asked for permission to march into Lübeck and Mecklenburg since the decision to adopt his plan of campaign March 22. but were only allowed to do so on June 29. The Government of the King of Denmark-Norway didn't want to be seen as the aggressor![/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]On July 9. Saint-Germain ordered his troops to enter Mecklenburg and prepare for battle in a line between Warnau – Wahren which was reached on July 13. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Only the scouting patrols of cavalry of the opposing sides had watched each others movements at this time.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Mecklenburgers saw the Danish-Norwegian army as the lesser evil especially in light of Prussian occupation earlier in the year and subsequent war taxing and taking of hostages before the Prussians withdrew![/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But as negotiators approached Berlin and the armies marched into Mecklenburg and ships ploughed the waves of the Baltic a coup was attempted in St. Petersburg by Peters consort Catherine! Unfortunately somebody within the circle of the coup-makers talked a bit too much[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]POD:[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]and the Tsar was able to roll up the coup on July 9. Catherine was quietly put off to a nunnery and her associates publicly executed. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Peter was now firm in the saddle.[/FONT]
 

arctic warrior

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As July 12. dawned the Danish-Norwegian negotiators read their instructions – everything is negotiable but noting is to be ceded! Compensation can be paid and a cease fire must be adhered to as mediating is done and a four week denunciation. (OTL)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Tsar had instructed his negotiators to present an ultimatum demanding the ceding of Gottorp Slesvig and ceding of Royal parts of Holstein including Femern and Heligoland. Negotiations to be completed within eight days. (OTL)[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Frederick 2. of Prussia made his support of and alliance with the Tsar clear to everybody at the beginning of mediation. [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As the Russian demands had been presented and the attitude of the Prussian King perceived the Danish-Norwegian Government was notified. A second courier was sent off to General Saint-Germain in Mecklenburg.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]When dusk fell on Berlin on July 19. 1762 the Danish-Norwegian and Russian negotiators sent their final despatches to their governments. The Danes still hoped for buying time but had to realize that the Russians were adamant on the time schedule.[/FONT]
 

arctic warrior

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Saint-Germain had been using his time well. A line of field works between the Warnau and Wahren in the lakeland of Mecklenburg had been established as had a second line between Wismar and the Elbe. The troops had been drilled but their standard was below what was desired. (OTL)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The final despatches reached Saint-Germain on July 20. He was not in doubt that the Russian onslaught would only be a matter of a week or two, perhaps even less if General Rumiantzev had orders to act upon! The army was alerted as was Admiral GF de Fontenay who was cruising the Baltic looking for the Russian Navy.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Rumiantzev did have orders to act upon but the news from St. Petersburg was unsettling to say the least. Upon receiving the despatch from Berlin on July 20. he reread the Tsars orders to move into Holstein and Slesvig to claim the lands of the Holstein-Gottorp line as well as despatching a force to occupy the island of Femern. (OTL)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]There had been problems though. The Swedes in Pommern had been totally uncooperative and had strictly barred the borders. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The majority of the peoples living in the operations area of the Russians were equally uncooperative and Rumiantzev was convinced that they supported the Danish-Norwegians with information of his whereabouts. The strict order to pay for anything obtained helped overcome the locals animosity, though![/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]His Prussian aide was of little help as his opinion of his Russian allies was contempt! And he was very reluctant to pass on intelligence or simple information.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]And his troops didn't like the turn of events but they still obeyed orders. The news of the public executions did make the rank and file think twice.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Rumiantzev wouldn't like to know that he was right on all counts.[/FONT]
 
von Adler

von Adler

Sweden's position in this would be very, very important. The Hat Party ruled at the time, but their prestige was low after the failed Russian war 1741-1743 and the failure of the Swedish effort in Pommerania 1757-1762. They were in steady decline, and both the Cap Party and the Court Party were in ascension at the time. Historically, the Hats lost power 1766, but things could change. The Hats were completely under the thumb of France, but Russian money was making its entrance into politics at the time too.

If France is close to bankrupt, and Russia can spend quite a bit of money to bribe the Swedish Riskdag it is possible they could force the Hats out early, and get either the Court or Cap Party into power, and they might be much more anti-Danish.

The combined Russian and Swedish fleets could probably take on the Danish one, and Swedes allowing Swdish Pommeriania as a staging ground and Stralsund as a port for supply and reinforcements would help the Russian war effort substantially, as would Swedish attacks on Norway.
 

arctic warrior

von Adler said:
Sweden's position in this would be very, very important. The Hat Party ruled at the time, but their prestige was low after the failed Russian war 1741-1743 and the failure of the Swedish effort in Pommerania 1757-1762. They were in steady decline, and both the Cap Party and the Court Party were in ascension at the time. Historically, the Hats lost power 1766, but things could change. The Hats were completely under the thumb of France, but Russian money was making its entrance into politics at the time too.

If France is close to bankrupt, and Russia can spend quite a bit of money to bribe the Swedish Riskdag it is possible they could force the Hats out early, and get either the Court or Cap Party into power, and they might be much more anti-Danish.

The combined Russian and Swedish fleets could probably take on the Danish one, and Swedes allowing Swdish Pommeriania as a staging ground and Stralsund as a port for supply and reinforcements would help the Russian war effort substantially, as would Swedish attacks on Norway.
Click to expand...

A very informative post and I have actually taken this into consideration - spoiler: the Hats will remain firmly in Government! ;)
 
von Adler

von Adler

The Hat Party pursued strong mercantilistic policies and an aggressive foreign policy. They were anti-Russian, but I doubt Sweden would go to war against Russia again, unless a broad coalition was made, and the war was going very badle for the Russians - the Pommerianian War was a badly handled attempt at regaining parts of Swedish Pommerania and capitalize on Frederick's misfortune.

At the time, of this TL, the Hats mostly pursued building Sveaborg with French subsidies. The fort was still not entirely finished when it fell through treason in 1808, but it was one of the largest, strongest and most expensive fortification projects the world had ever seen at the time and reforming the army after the failures.

Swedish politics were notoriously corrupt at the time, and at the Riksdag 1765-1766 there were open discussions among the riksdagsmän (members of parliament) on how much they got, and if they went for Russian or French money. Not Sweden's finest hour. ;)

In the long run, Russia will have problems supporting an army in northern Germany if Sweden does not co-operate, even if the Prussians do. S:t Petersburg will be frozen in at winter, making supply over sea impossible, even if the Russians manage to defeat the Danish navy. if the Danes have support from the French, and Sweden maintains a benovelent (towards the Danes) neutrality, I think the Russians will have problems sooner or later. The French are in the midst of naval reforms that will eventually allow de Grasse to defeat the Royal Navy 1781. A few French ships of the line 'sold' to the Danes, crewed with 'volunteers' could shift the balance substantially.

And if the Hats are firmly in power, and have French and Danish guarantees, they just might want to try to regain Villmarsstrand and Kexholm - but I doubt that they would move if Frederick in Prussia eyes Swedish Pommerania as an ally or at least benovelent neutral to Russia.
 

arctic warrior

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]July 21.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As Rumiantzev's army surged forward the officers of the Danish-Norwegian army, many of these a veteran of the Seven Years War steadied their men.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Battle raged for hours and many great deeds were done but the outcome was the dislodging of the Danish-Norwegian army from its fortified position. As dusk fell the defenders retreated northwest through the hilly lakeland towards Wismar. But they were allowed to retreat in order as Rumiantzev had to rest his battered army.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Saint-Germain was disgruntled on the turn of events. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Even so there was good points and things to work with. The Danish and Norwegian national troops were green and even the enlisted had seen too many a quiet days in garrison. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The officers were very good and cavalry above average, certainly above Russian standard. (OTL)[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But he had been allowed to disengage and pull his army back in good order! Certainly the next battle would be his. And he would have ample time for preparations.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]At Bunkersdorf Frederick 2. win the day in battle against Field Marshal Daun and retake the fortress of Schweidnitz.[/FONT]
 

arctic warrior

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]July 22.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Captain JC Krieger made a name for himself in the battle of Bornholm after reporting the whereabouts of the Russian Navy to Admiral de Fontenay and then rounding up the Russian merchantmen being in convoy of the Russian fleet carrying supplies for General Rumiantzev.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The battle itself was a given thing. The two fleets being of roughly equal size; 14 Danish-Norwegian to 17 Russian ships-of-the-line, but the Danish-Norwegian having the edge of quality, gunnery, seamanship and tradition. The Russian ships sported more guns than the Danish-Norwegian but they were foul, the crews mismanaged and the officers drunk. It was a long time since the day of Peter the Great.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]As several of the Russian ships of the line caught fire de Fontenay was able to break it and capture nine! Four went down in flames, three got away but of these only one made it back to port the others were caught up with and captured.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The greatest price was the convoy of more than twenty merchantmen carrying supplies and gold for Rumiantzev's army. [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]It was a resounding victory. All the church bell's of Denmark-Norway was sounded to celebrate and the revue on Copenhagen Roads a few days later was most impressive even if two of the captured ships had had to be scuttled en route to Copenhagen due to damage.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The news in St. Petersburg was a mixed bag. The Battle of Warnau was made a decisive victory but the news of the Battle of Bornholm was suppressed. Even so information did leak from the surviving sailors. Rumours was ripe within the capital.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]And the ordering of sailors for making the rest of the Ships of the Line seaworthy didn't go unnoticed. Those ships were in even worse condition than those already taken by the Danish-Norwegian navy and their crews reluctant to do anything.[/FONT]
 
von Adler

von Adler

Ah. If the Danes do very well and the Russian army in Holstein is broken and French subsidies are plenty, Sweden just might want to try for Villmarsstrand anyway, despite all the mishaps recently. Is Frederick an opportunist enough to try for Warsaw if so?

Interesting, I will follow this one closely. :)
 

arctic warrior

von Adler said:
Ah. If the Danes do very well and the Russian army in Holstein is broken and French subsidies are plenty, Sweden just might want to try for Villmarsstrand anyway, despite all the mishaps recently. Is Frederick an opportunist enough to try for Warsaw if so?

Interesting, I will follow this one closely. :)
Click to expand...

The Swedes will get plenty of oppertunities in Russia. :D

Frederick will certainly want a go. ;)

Thank you!
 
von Adler

von Adler

Oh, poor Peter. He saves Prussia and Frederick, and will be back-stabbed by the very same nation and monarch. I foresee much rumbling in the Russian Army and especially in the Tsarmaking Guards.

If you keep the Hats in power in Sweden, General Augustin Ehrensvärd will probably take command of any Swedish war effort. He's considered a workhorse with very good understanding of artillery, siege warfare and above all he created the army navy, also known as the Archipelago navy, with galleys and other shallow draft vessels.

I foresee the Russians having grand problems keeping Swedes from looting Estonia and Livonia. Perjaps Ehrensvärd would drag some ships to Ladoga to establish superiority there and help his supply? Even more trouble for the Ruskies. :D
 

arctic warrior

von Adler said:
Oh, poor Peter. He saves Prussia and Frederick, and will be back-stabbed by the very same nation and monarch. I foresee much rumbling in the Russian Army and especially in the Tsarmaking Guards.

If you keep the Hats in power in Sweden, General Augustin Ehrensvärd will probably take command of any Swedish war effort. He's considered a workhorse with very good understanding of artillery, siege warfare and above all he created the army navy, also known as the Archipelago navy, with galleys and other shallow draft vessels.

I foresee the Russians having grand problems keeping Swedes from looting Estonia and Livonia. Perjaps Ehrensvärd would drag some ships to Ladoga to establish superiority there and help his supply? Even more trouble for the Ruskies. :D
Click to expand...

Russia is surely going to face a though time.

Thank you for bringing Augustin Ehrensvärd to my knowledge - he is going to have a position for sure. :cool:
 

arctic warrior

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]July 23.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Whatever the St. Petersburg press wrote Rumiantzev knew it had been a tight rope. His army was badly battered, the Russian Navy captured by his enemy, his supply line growing too long close to enemy territory; his allies untrustworthy and his communications with Russia virtually cut-off by the defeat of the Navy.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]He had to press on and he would do so being the loyal officer. But his army needed a rest and he would give it.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Saint-Germain was elated at the news of the Battle of Bornholm. And so was his men. Now he had all the provisions he could dream off and in fact captured his enemy unsupplied in hostile territory! [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]This was just too good to be true.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The time was now ripe for offensive action. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Instead of withdrawing to the Wismar – Elbe line he ordered his army to halt for the day at Goldberg and resupply. Having based his campaign on waterways to secure his resupply this was day-to-day business.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]He was also able to have his losses replaced by newly raised regiments and reinforcements. All provided by the Danish-Norwegian Navy ruling the Baltic.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The change in the political climate was almost to be felt. Danish-Norwegian envoys and embassies were greeted by their hosts upon the resounding victory. [/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]With the Russian fleet wiped off the Baltic the Swedish government was eager to reassure Denmark-Norway of its neutrality, now rather friendly towards the double monarchy. Communications had to be kept with Pomern and Wismar. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]With a Holstein-Gottorp on the throne they just might be next in line of Danish-Norwegian aggression.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Britain suddenly showed an interest and France did find a small amount of money in some forgotten coffer![/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Austria was still lukewarm but the prospect of having a Russian backed Prussia spearheading the German Empire gnawed.[/FONT]
 
von Adler

von Adler

Reading up on the Pommeranian War, it seems like the Swedish troops fought farily well. Sprengtporten (commanding light, mobile troops), von Lastinghausen (the main army). von Fersen (a division) and Ehrensvärd (siege, then a division, then the main army) did fairly well and the Swedish troops fought well - indelningsverket still produced a cheap and well-trained army (even if it was hard to replace). The big problem was supply and money.

France needs to open its coffers if the Hats are to be able to wage any kind of real war thogh, the Pommeranian War had drained the coffers and corruption was rampant - finance was simply in complete disarray.

You really would be much better off by getting the Hats out and the Caps in, or at least have the Hats go through some kind of political upheaval due to the financial crisis - they did lose in 1766 because of it. What you really need is to get Anders Chydenius into a position of power in the Riksdag of 1760 if you want Sweden to be able to produce any kind of real war effort.

Chydenius was a notoriously uncorrupted priest ("Do you go for French or Russian money?" - "I represent the Priests of Österbotten and no one else!") with a solid education, lots of energy, a deep understanding on economy - his book "Den nationnale winsten" (the national profit) from 1765 predates many of the concepts, including the invisible hand, in Adam Smith's "On the wealth of nations" from 1776. If you can get him into Sekreta utskottet at the Riksdag of 1760, I am sure Sweden will do much better by 1762. He was a warm proponent of freedom of the press and liberal economical policies though, both of which the Hats were opposed to.

You could have the Kierman scandal erupt earlier and French money drying up for the Hats (due to heavier French needs in the Seven Years' War), forcing the Hats to do something radical. Chydenius might compromise on the freedom of the press, but you really want his liberal economical policies, as the mercantilistic policies of the Hats were economical disaster.

Besides, more liberal economic policies will probably endear Sweden to Great Britain, who still wants timber, tar and hemp from Sweden.
 

arctic warrior

@ von Adler
Very interesting points most of which I was unaware off!
As the POD is fixed I have to make do with that. Jump off in 1762 it is.
I see I have to fiddle with Sweden - like the Hats to be in charge for a war on Russia!
Would the Caps go for war on Russia if chance be?

I decided to go for French subsidizing the Swedish war! If this happen before 1766 would that make for the Hats to stay in government or would we still see the Caps taking over?
 

arctic warrior

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]July 25.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]But what really turned the tide was the resounding victory of Saint-Germains Danish-Norwegian army of the Russians at the Second battle of Warnau. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The Russian army resting and resupplying was taken by surprise by the sudden change of hunter and prey. [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]What little morale was left evaporated and in the fierce close quarter battle the Cossacks broke and ran first, then Rumiantzev ordered withdrawal which turned into a rout leaving a quarter of his troops on Swedish ground in Pomern making for a major headache of King Adolf Frederick and his government.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]Another King suffering a major headache was King Frederick 2. of Prussia suddenly being the protector of more than 30000 Russian troops and their commander with a new enemy on the doorstep.[/FONT]


[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]The shift in power was tremendous. With Russia defeated by Denmark-Norway Europe suddenly looked different.[/FONT]
 
von Adler

von Adler

It is difficult to say on the Caps really, they only held power for a short time and that was not a time for war, considering the utter disarray of the finances.

How about this;

General von Lastinghausen, who was the only one who managed to get some order out of the mess in Pommerania, left his command to Ehrensvärd in 1761, fed up with the corruption and distastrous economical situation that meant he only got supplies to start the campaign season in August three years in a row (as I said, this time is not Sweden's finest, but it could be different). He became Stadtholder in Stockholm. He was a prominent Hat, but also recognised as relatively uncorrupt, hard-working and competent. In his position in Stockholm, he was very popular, amongst other things for reforming the police, weeding out corruption and nepotism and making the streets much safer.

Chydenius studied in Åbo and Uppsala and was a warm proponent of variolation against smallpox.

Put von Lastinghausen at a seminar about smallpox held at the university of Uppsala, with Chydenius lecturing on variolation, and the two might hit off. Lastinghausen is fed up with many of his fellow Hats and have seen first-hand the problems of their economical system when his army had no supplies in Pommerania. Get him to try to publish an article about the corruption and the failure of mercantilism, struggle with getting it through the censors and then getting it published in an under-hand way, have it reveal some corruption, have the corrupted officials put him on trial for slander and violation of the censorship laws, and you get a public showhouse trial in Stockholm, where his popularity among the people is solid. Chydenius can publish his support (he was instrumental in bringing down Kierman and exposing corruption 1765). Have the people attack and burn the city estate of some of the corrupted Hats (as they did with Kierman) and them flee the city, and you can probably have von Lastinghausens (newly created) faction take over the Hats and him invite Chydenius to handle finances in this new Hat government.

Add a substantial dose of French money, and perhaps some Danish too, and the Swedish army might very well be able to put up something that resembles a fight, with von Lastinghausen as supreme commander, Sprengtporten commanding the archipelago navy and the Finnish Jägers and Ehrensvärd in field command.

Give von Lastinghausen, Ehrensvärd, von Fersen and Sprengtporten a year to reform the army too, and Chydenius the same time to get the economy in some order to be able to supply them, and things look not quite as much down the toilet.

Of course, I don't think the Swedes will move without the Prussians already having backstabbed the Russians - they don't want Swedish Pommerania over-run.

Isn't it about time for a Russo-Ottoman war soon too, if you are going to pile up on the poor, poor Ruskies? :p
 
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