Swedish Empire

The **Swedish Empire** was an importan power in European history between 1611 and 1718.  King Gustavus Adolphus was king from 1611. Europe was full of political, religious, and military conflicts. The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) and the Second Northern War (1655-1660) gave Sweden opportunities to expand its influence.

In Swedish, it is called _stormaktstiden_, meaning "the era of great power".

King Gustavus Adolphus made Sweden powerful. The Swedish military had a strong infantry, and he led them cleverly. Victories such as the Battle of Breitenfeld in 1631 made Sweden strong.

## Notable achievements

During this period, Sweden advanced in science, culture, and trade. In Stockholm, the Swedish Academy was started in 1786, which was important for the development of the Swedish language and literature.  The empire made possible colonization efforts, including the foundation of New Sweden in North America. The empire's control over key Baltic trade routes helped its economic prosperity. Sweden's urban centres saw the emergence of grand architecture, vibrant arts and a flourishing cultural scene.

## Decline and Great Northern War

The empire declined because of the Great Northern War (1700-1721). Sweden fought against an alliance of powers including Russia, Denmark-Norway and the Polish-Lithuaniam Commonwealth. It lost several territories, marking the end of its imperial era.

## Related pages

- History of Sweden (1611-1648)

## Infobox (former country)

- **native name**: _Det svenska stormaktsväldet_
_Konungariket Sverige_
- **conventional long name**: Swedish Empire
Kingdom of Sweden
- **common name**: Swedish Empire
- **era**: Early modern Europe
- **status**: Empire
- **government type**: Monarchy
- **title leader**: List of Swedish monarchs, King
- **leader1**: Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, Gustav II Adolf the Great
- **year leader1**: 1611–1632
- **leader2**: Christina of Sweden, Christina
- **year leader2**: 1632–1654
- **leader3**: Charles X Gustav of Sweden, Charles X Gustav
- **year leader3**: 1654–1660
- **leader4**: Charles XI of Sweden, Charles XI
- **year leader4**: 1660–1697
- **leader5**: Charles XII of Sweden, Charles XII
- **year leader5**: 1697–1718
- **title deputy**: Lord High Chancellor of Sweden, Lord High Chancellor
- **deputy1**: Axel Oxenstierna
- **year deputy1**: 1612–1654
- **deputy2**: Erik Oxenstierna
- **year deputy2**: 1654–1656
- **deputy3**: Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie
- **year deputy3**: 1660–1686
- **year start**: 1611
- **year end**: 1718
- **p1**: History of Sweden (1611–1648)
- **flag p1**: Flag of Sweden (1562–1650).svg
- **s2**: Age of Liberty
- **flag s2**: Flag of Sweden.svg
- **image flag**: Flag of Sweden (1562–1650).svg
- **image map**: LocationSwedishEmpire.png
- **image map caption**: The Swedish Empire at its height in 1658.  Overseas possessions are not shown.
- **capital**: Stockholm
- **religion**: Lutheranism
<small>(Eastern orthodox faith recognized as minority religion)</small>
- **common languages**: Swedish language, Swedish, Finnish language, Finnish, Norwegian language, Norwegian,   Estonian language, Estonian, Latvian language, Latvian, Sami language, Sami, German language, German, Livonian language, Livonian,  Danish language, Danish
- **currency**: Riksdaler, Mark (weight), Mark (until 1664), Carolin (from 1664)
- **legislature**: Riksdag of the Estates
- **stat year1**: 17th century
- **stat pop1**: 2500000
- **today**: