Charles XII, after returning from the Ottoman Empire and resuming personal control of the war effort, had initiated two Norwegian Campaigns, starting in February 1716, to force Denmark–Norway into a separate peace treaty.

Furthermore, he had attempted to bar Great Britain access to the Baltic Sea.

In a search for allies, Charles XII had also negotiated with the British Jacobite party.

This had resulted in Great Britain declaring war on Sweden in 1717.

The Norwegian campaigns had been halted and the army withdrawn when Charles XII was shot dead while besieging Norwegian Fredriksten, a fortress in the city of Halden, on November 30, 1718 (OS).

He is succeeded by his sister, Ulrika Eleonora.

The anti-Swedish allies had become increasingly divided, by the time of Charles XII's death, on how to fill the power gap left behind by the defeated and retreating Swedish armies.

George I and Frederik IV both covet hegemony in northern Germany, while Augustus the Strong is concerned about Frederick William I's ambitions on the southeastern Baltic coast.

Peter the Great, whose forces are spread all around the Baltic Sea, envisions hegemony in East Central Europe and seeks to establish naval bases as far west as Mecklenburg.

George I, Augustus II and emperor Charles VI in January 1719 conclude a treaty in Vienna aimed at the reduction of Russia's frontiers to the prewar limits.

Hanover-Great Britain and Brandenburg-Prussia negotiate separate peace treaties with Sweden, the treaties of Stockholm in 1719 and early 1720, which will partition Sweden's northern German dominions among the parties.

The negotiations are mediated by French diplomats, who seek to prevent a complete collapse of Sweden's position on the southern Baltic coast and achieve Swedish retention of Wismar and northern Swedish Pomerania.

Hanover gains Swedish Bremen-Verden, and Brandenburg-Prussia will incorporate southern Swedish Pomerania.

Frederick I had begun negotiating the Treaties of Stockholm following the death of Charles XII of Sweden in 1718, which had heralded the impending conclusion of the Great Northern War.

Sweden cedes the dominion of Bremen-Verden on November 9, 1719 in the treaty with Hanover.

Northeast Europe (1720–1731 CE): Postwar Stability, Diplomatic Realignments, and Economic Recovery

Between 1720 and 1731 CE, Northeast Europe experienced stabilization, diplomatic realignment, and economic recovery following the devastating conclusion of the Great Northern War. This era marked the definitive end of Sweden’s imperial status, the ascendance of Russia as a dominant European power, strategic consolidation by Denmark–Norway, cautious Prussian diplomacy, and sustained regional economic and cultural recovery.

Conclusion of the Great Northern War: The Treaty of Nystad (Uusikaupunki)

The Great Northern War officially concluded on August 30, 1721, with the signing of the Peace of Nystad (Swedish: Uusikaupunki). Sweden ceded substantial territories on the southern and eastern shores of the Baltic Sea—including critical regions such as Estonia, Livonia, Ingria, and significant parts of Karelia—to Russia. In addition, Sweden was compelled to pay a substantial indemnity to Russia. In return, Russian forces evacuated occupied areas of Finland, retaining only strategically important territory along Finland’s southeastern border, notably including the vital fortress city of Viipuri (Vyborg).

These territorial and economic concessions drastically reduced Sweden’s influence and ended its role as a Baltic empire. The scale of Sweden's human losses from the war was immense: approximately 200,000 men perished, with roughly 150,000 from present-day Sweden and 50,000 from Finland.

Russia’s Emergence as the Dominant Baltic Power

In contrast to Sweden’s decline, Russia decisively emerged from the war as the leading regional power, replacing Sweden as the primary force in Baltic geopolitics. Tsar Peter I ("Peter the Great") further consolidated Russia’s newfound position, transforming the nation into a significant European empire. Peter continued administrative, military, and economic reforms, and rapidly developed the newly founded city of Saint Petersburg into a major cultural and economic center, symbolizing Russia's dominant presence in the Baltic.

Swedish Transition into the Age of Liberty

Under Frederick I (r. 1720–1751), Sweden transitioned into the Age of Liberty, characterized by parliamentary governance and a reduction in royal authority. Political factions such as the Hats and Caps gained prominence, reshaping Sweden’s internal governance. The Swedish government prioritized economic recovery, social stabilization, and diplomatic caution in the face of diminished international standing.

Danish–Norwegian Strategic Stability and Economic Growth

Denmark–Norway, under Frederick IV (r. 1699–1730), capitalized on Sweden’s reduced influence, maintaining careful neutrality while consolidating control over maritime trade and enhancing territorial defenses. Internal administrative and economic reforms led to stability, infrastructure improvements, and steady regional prosperity, with a particular emphasis on strengthening Copenhagen and other key urban centers.

Prussian Diplomatic Prudence and Internal Consolidation

Prussia, led by King Frederick William I (r. 1713–1740), adhered to cautious diplomacy, avoiding direct involvement in regional conflicts. Frederick William’s disciplined military and administrative reforms ensured internal stability, economic prosperity, and established Prussia’s foundation as a formidable Central European state.

Economic Revitalization and Urban Resilience

Despite wartime disruptions, major urban centers—Stockholm, Copenhagen, Königsberg, Riga, and particularly Saint Petersburg—experienced gradual economic revitalization. Renewed maritime trade, effective merchant networks, and stable governance facilitated regional prosperity and economic integration, significantly mitigating the broader impacts of the war.

Finland’s Territorial Adjustments and Stabilization

Following Russian withdrawal, Finland remained a part of a diminished Sweden but faced significant territorial adjustments along its southeastern border, notably losing the fortress city of Viipuri and surrounding areas to Russia. Nevertheless, Finland underwent internal administrative stabilization, economic recovery, and improved agricultural productivity, adjusting effectively to its altered geopolitical status within the Swedish kingdom.

Cultural and Intellectual Resurgence

Across Northeast Europe, cultural and educational institutions flourished. Universities and academies benefited from renewed royal and private patronage, significantly advancing scholarly activities and intellectual discourse. Prominent scholars, artists, and scientists continued to enrich the region’s cultural identity despite lingering postwar challenges.

Diplomatic Maneuvering and Realignment

Diplomatic interactions grew increasingly complex as regional powers adapted to the drastically altered postwar environment. Sweden pursued diplomatic rapprochement with former adversaries, Russia consolidated its dominance, Denmark–Norway maintained cautious neutrality, and Prussia navigated regional politics with pragmatic diplomacy, laying the groundwork for sustained regional stability.

Legacy of the Era

The era from 1720 to 1731 CE fundamentally reshaped Northeast Europe through territorial adjustments, diplomatic realignments, and economic recovery. Sweden's substantial territorial losses under the Treaty of Nystad, combined with severe demographic impacts, firmly ended its imperial status. Russia’s ascendance as a major European empire significantly redefined regional geopolitics, shaping territorial boundaries, diplomatic relations, and cultural developments for subsequent generations.

Two treaties signed in Stockholm in 1719, in which Sweden had ceded to Hanover the dominion of Bremen-Verden, and 1720, in which Prussia receives Stettin (Szczecin), Swedish Pomerania south of the river Peene, the islands of Usedom and Wollin, and the towns of Damm and Gollnow, end the Great Northern War between Sweden on one side and on the other Hanover and Prussia; both countries had recently entered the war in the hope of gaining territory when peace was made.

Ulrika Eleonora, the youngest child of King Charles XI and Queen Ulrika Eleonora the Elder, and Queen regnant of Sweden from November 30, 1718, had agreed to abolish the absolute monarchy as a condition of her accession.

She had in 1715 married Landgrave Friedrich I of Hesse-Kassel, whose counsel she has constantly sought in political matters.

She wants him to become co-regent, but as this is not permitted, she abdicates in his favor after just one year of her reign, which succession is confirmed by the Riksdag of the Estates.

Even in 1718, however, when Ulrika had been vying for the throne against her nephew, Charles Frederick of Holstein-Gottorp, both she and Frederick had come under the influence of the anti-absolutist parliamentary forces led by Count Arvid Bernhard Horn.

Therefore, when Frederick becomes king on February 29, 1720, he gives up significant powers to Parliament, thus inaugurating the Swedish Age of Freedom.

Virtually powerless, Frederick will devote his time to hunting and love affairs.

The Treaty of Nystad, the last peace treaty of the Great Northern War, is concluded between the Tsardom of Russia and the Swedish Empire on September 10 [O.S. August 30] 1721 in the Swedish town of Nystad (Finnish: Uusikaupunki), Sweden having already settled with the other parties in Stockholm and Frederiksborg.

During the war, Peter I of Russia had occupied all Swedish possessions on the eastern Baltic coast: Swedish Ingria, where the soon to be new Russian capital of St. Petersburg had been established in 1703, Swedish Estonia and Swedish Livonia, which had capitulated in 1710, and Finland.

By the Peace of 1721, Russia receives the territories of Estonia, Livonia and Ingria (the southeastern part of Finland with Viipuri), as well as much of Karelia in exchange for two million silver thaler, while the bulk of Finland is returned to Sweden.

Peter replaces King Frederick I of Sweden as ruler of the conquered provinces.

The treaty enshrines the rights of the Baltic-German nobility within Estonia and Livonia to maintain their financial system, existing customs border, self-government, Lutheran religion, and the German language; this special position in the Russian Empire will be reconfirmed by all Russian Tsars from Peter the Great to Alexander II.

Nystad manifests the decisive shift in the European balance of power which the war had brought about: the Swedish imperial era is over; Sweden enters the Age of Liberty, while Russia has emerged as a new empire. (Sweden's dissatisfaction with the result will lead to its fruitless attempts in the coming decades at recovering the lost territories.)

Further reform in Russia marks the last years of Tsar Peter.

He is acclaimed Emperor of All Russia on October 22, 1721, soon after peace is made with Sweden.

Some propose that he take the title Emperor of the East, but he refuses.

Gavrila Golovkin, the State Chancellor, is the first to add "the Great, Father of His Country, Emperor of All the Russias" to Peter's traditional title Tsar following a speech by the archbishop of Pskov in 1721.

Peter's imperial title is recognized by Augustus II of Poland, Frederick William I of Prussia and Frederick I of Sweden, but not by the other European monarchs.

In the minds of many, the word emperor connotes superiority or preeminence over "mere" kings.

Several rulers fear that Peter will claim authority over them, just as the Holy Roman Emperor had once claimed suzerainty over all Christian nations.

The Russo–Swedish War of 1741–1743, known as the Hats' Russian War in Sweden and the Hats' War in Finland, which results in the Lesser Wrath, or the occupation of Finland, is instigated by the Hats, a Swedish political party that aspires to regain the territories lost to Russia during the Great Northern War, and by French diplomacy, which seeks to divert Russia's attention from supporting its long-standing ally, the Habsburg monarchy, in the War of the Austrian Succession.

While eight thousand Swedish and Finnish troops are being deployed at the Russian border, near Lappeenranta (Swedish: Villmanstrand) and Hamina (Swedish: Frederikshamn), Sweden declares war on August 8.

The objective of these maneuvers is to threaten Saint Petersburg and to set the stage for a coup d'état, engineered by French and Swedish diplomats and aimed at toppling the pro-Austrian regime of Anna Leopoldovna.

Henrik Magnus von Buddenbrock, born on July 22, 1685, in Swedish Livonia, was the son of the landed gentleman and Swedish Empire army officer Henrik Gotthard von Buddenbrock (1648-1727) and Charlotta Cronman.

He had enlisted as an officer of the Swedish army, becoming a captain of the Livgardet in 1711, Major of grenadiers in 1715, and Major General in 1721.

He had been elevated to friherre (matricle number 206) in 1731 and promoted to Lieutenant General of the infantry in 1739.

As such, he is in 1741 commander of the troops in Finland, under General Charles Emil Lewenhaupt, at the onset of the Russo-Swedish War.

Major General Carl Henrik Wrangel, who leads one of the two divisions of the Swedish Army in Finland, with a strength of four thousand men, is ordered by Buddenbrock to lead his force into battle against General Peter Lacy's numerically superior Russian force in order to defend Villmanstrand, at the long disputed frontier between Sweden and Russia.