Would You Believe Sweden Hasn’t Been in a War Since 1818?
It may sound surprising, but Sweden has managed to avoid war for over two centuries a feat few countries have achieved. This amazing tale of peace can largely be traced back to the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars and the unusual circumstances that led to the rise of a French Marshal to the Swedish throne. It’s a story filled with unexpected twists, diplomacy, and one man’s visionary approach to peace.
Background: Sweden at the Turn of the 19th Century
To understand how Sweden ended up on this path, you need to go back to the Napoleonic Wars and the year 1808. Sweden was in trouble because in February of that year Russia invaded Finland, which was then part of the Swedish Kingdom. While at the same time, Sweden’s King Gustav IV Adolf rebuffed Napoleon’s demands to stop British trade in the Baltic. His pro-British stance angered many, including his own officials, which led to a coup in 1809, when he was deposed.
This meant that the throne passed to his uncle, Karl XIII. Unfortunately, this was only a temporary solution. You see King Karl XIII was elderly, chronically ill, and with no heirs. Now this presented a major challenge for Sweden, and the nation faced a problem.
Therefore, they needed to find an heir to find stability, the Swedish chose Christian August of Augustenborg, a Danish prince, as the heir to the throne. This made sense as Sweden was trying to strengthen its position in the region. However, all the best laid plans go wrong. What happened was that in 1810, shortly after being named the crown prince, Christian August died!
This left Sweden once again needing a suitable successor, and the result was a strange, yet unbelievable choice.
A Surprising Candidate: Jean Bernadotte
After the sudden death of Christian August, Sweden needed that new heir, and they needed him quickly. It was then that a curious suggestion emerged from the Swedish Parliament: Jean Bernadotte, a Marshal of France and one of Napoleon’s trusted military leaders. The suggestion seemed outlandish. Jean Bernadotte was not Swedish, not even Scandinavian; he was a French Catholic soldier who had risen through the ranks of the French army.
Born in 1763, Bernadotte came from humble origins in Pau, France. He enlisted in the army at the age of 17 and showed remarkable talent, rising steadily through the ranks. During the Napoleonic Wars, he distinguished himself and eventually became one of Napoleon’s marshals, a title that showed his importance and closeness to the French Emperor. Bernadotte had even married into Napoleon’s extended family: his wife, Désirée Clary, had once been engaged to Napoleon himself, and her sister was married to Napoleon’s brother, Joseph Bonaparte.
Given his background, Bernadotte seemed an unusual candidate to lead Sweden. The Swedish Parliament was initially unconvinced, as was Napoleon, who found the proposal bewildering. Yet Bernadotte had a few things working in his favour. He had gained popularity in Sweden due to his fair treatment of Swedish prisoners during his time as governor of the Hanseatic cities and Hanover. His reputation for kindness and leadership made him an attractive candidate to a nation in need of stability and protection.
Bernadotte Becomes Crown Prince Karl Johan
In 1810, the Swedish Parliament made the bold decision to invite Bernadotte to become the heir to the Swedish throne. Despite the dubiousness of the offer, Bernadotte accepted. He saw the opportunity not only as a chance to lead but also as an escape from the political volatility of France under Napoleon, whose power he felt was beginning to wane. Sweden offered Bernadotte the possibility of a stable, long-term role.
So he accepted the offer and moved to Sweden, where he was adopted by King Karl XIII and took the name Karl Johan. However, his wife, Désirée, did not come with him. She chose to stay in Paris, where she had established her life and social connections. Karl Johan’s arrival in Sweden marked the beginning of a new era for the country, as he effectively took over many of the king’s responsibilities due to Karl XIII’s declining health.
Turning Against Napoleon
One of the things everyone wanted to know after Karl Johan’s rise to power was whether he would continue with Sweden’s allegiance to Napoleon. Nevertheless, despite his past closeness to the French Emperor, Karl Johan felt that supporting Napoleon would not be in Sweden’s best interests. He was a realist who could see that Napoleon’s influence in Europe was declining. For this reason, rather than supporting France, Karl Johan set up a new alliance by joining forces with Russia and Great Britain, two of Napoleon’s chief adversaries.
Napoleon was not happy, he didn’t like this, and as was his way he retaliated by occupying Swedish-held territories in northern Germany and Poland. A big mistake, as in response, Karl Johan led Swedish troops against the French forces, and in October 1813, he achieved several substantial victories over Napoleon’s army. These victories bolstered his reputation in Sweden and helped strengthen his leadership.
Union with Norway
Now that he had defeated Napoleon, he turned his attention to expanding Sweden’s influence in Scandinavia. To explain, at that time Norway was in a union with Denmark, but the Swedish believed that Norway should be part of Sweden. In 1814, Karl Johan managed to secure a deal with Denmark, forcing them to cede Norway to Sweden as part of the Treaty of Kiel.
Unfortunately, the Norwegians were not pleased with this arrangement and declared their independence, adopting a new constitution.
Now this is when Karl Johan showed his diplomatic skills, you see he didn’t want to have to resort to war. He negotiated with the Norwegians, which led to an agreement that allowed Norway to retain its constitution while at the same time entering a union with Sweden under a shared monarchy. This arrangement was unique for the time, as it allowed Norway a significant degree of autonomy while recognizing Karl Johan as its monarch. This extraordinary man now became King of two nations!
The Birth of Swedish Neutrality
Then in 1818, King Karl XIII passed away, and Karl Johan ascended the throne as King Karl XIV Johan. His reign marked the formal beginning of Sweden’s policy of neutrality.
Having witnessed firsthand the devastation of war during his years as a soldier, Karl XIV Johan was determined to steer Sweden away from conflict. He believed that Sweden could secure its interests and maintain its sovereignty without getting entangled in the wars that repeatedly swept across Europe.
To ensure this policy of neutrality was effective, Karl XIV Johan also understood the importance of maintaining a strong and well-equipped military. It was a simple policy, by demonstrating that Sweden had the ability to defend itself, the country could discourage potential aggressors while remaining committed to peace. It worked surprisingly well, becoming the cornerstone of Swedish foreign policy for the next two centuries.
An Extraordinary Legacy
The story of Jean Bernadotte—who transformed from a French commoner to Marshal of France and eventually to King of Sweden and Norway is truly remarkable. His rise to power defied conventions: he was a Catholic in a predominantly Protestant nation, a man without noble blood who became the ruler of not one but two kingdoms. Under his leadership, Sweden began its unique journey of neutrality, a policy that has endured to this day.
Karl XIV Johan’s influence extended far beyond his reign. The Bernadotte dynasty he founded continues to this day, with his descendants still on the Swedish throne. His vision of a peaceful Sweden laid the foundation for the country’s modern identity as a neutral, prosperous, and socially progressive nation.
Why Has Sweden Remained Neutral?
The success of Sweden’s long-standing neutrality can be attributed to several factors. First and foremost, Karl Johan’s own experiences as a soldier shaped his views on the futility and destruction of war. He saw the horrors of conflict up close and understood that true strength lay not just in military might but in the ability to avoid unnecessary wars.
Additionally, Sweden’s geography and strategic considerations played a role. Located in northern Europe, with no direct need for foreign expansion or hostile territorial ambitions, Sweden learnt that neutrality served its interests well. By avoiding entanglement in the turbulent politics of continental Europe, Sweden was able to focus on domestic development, building a strong economy and a high standard of living for its citizens.
Finally, the importance of maintaining a proficient defence force has been central. By investing in its military, Sweden made it clear that while it believed in peace, it was not defenceless. This balance of readiness and diplomacy has allowed Sweden to circumnavigate complex international situations while staying true to its devotion to peace.
Conclusion
The story of Sweden’s two centuries of peace is evidence of the power of diplomacy, vision, and pragmatism. It is a story of a French soldier who unexpectedly finds himself in line for a foreign throne and ends in a country that has now become synonymous with peace and neutrality.
King Karl XIV Johan’s legacy is remarkable, not just for himself but for the nation he led. His policy of neutrality, backed by a strong defence, has kept Sweden out of war since 1818, shaping it into the peaceful nation we know today.
Isn’t History Interesting?
10 questions to discuss:
- What factors led to Sweden adopting a policy of neutrality after 1818?
- How did Sweden’s experience during the Napoleonic Wars shape its decision to avoid future conflicts?
- Why did Sweden choose Jean Bernadotte as heir to the throne, despite his French nationality and military background?
- How did Jean Bernadotte, as Karl Johan, manage to strengthen Sweden’s influence in Scandinavia without major warfare?
- What role did diplomacy play in Karl Johan’s approach to the Norway-Sweden union?
- How did Karl XIV Johan’s military experience influence his vision of a neutral Sweden?
- Why was maintaining a strong military essential for Sweden’s neutrality, according to Karl XIV Johan?
- How did Sweden’s geographical position impact its ability to remain neutral for over two centuries?
- What was unique about the union between Sweden and Norway under Karl Johan, and how did it help maintain peace?
- How has the legacy of Karl XIV Johan’s neutrality policy influenced modern Sweden’s stance on international conflicts?
These questions cover key aspects of the story, from the historical background to the specific policies and decisions that led to Sweden’s enduring peace.
For more information:
http://realscandinavia.com/jean-bernadotte-the-french-soldier-who-became-king-of-sweden/
© Tony Dalton