Why did Sweden lose Finland in 1809? Essay Example

He decided that the western front was the more important and, against the advice of his ministers, who feared to weaken the defences of Finland, he determined to concentrate his forces to withstand the expected Danish and French attacks form south and west. After all, these were directed against Sweden proper. However, the threat from that side failed to develop.

Though, Gustaf was not completely friendless. England was Sweden's only ally, who also promised a monthly subsidy of �100,000, and an expeditionary force under the command of Sir John Moore was sent to Gothenburg in May,1808. No previous agreement, however, had been reached as regards the Swedish military manoeuvres and the expedition soon sailed away again with nothing accomplished or even attempted. Gustaf 's conduct in this affair caused great resentment in London, and his request for further subsidies was now definitely refused.

After Moor's departure the king finally decided to turn once more to Finland, but there the valuable time had already been lost, and it was too late for him to build up his forces in the east, where the real danger lay.

The most decisive events occurred in Finland itself. There the Commander-in-Chief, General W.M.Klingspor, overestimating the strength of the enemy, had withdrawn in good order towards a base in the north from which he was hoping to start a counter-attack on the Russians when more favourable circumstances offered. Despite the fact that there were hardly any losses during the retreat and no major defeat was sustained on the way, the retreat itself did much to lower the troops' morale. Many of the officers felt that defeat was inevitable and that Sweden's only hope of

salvation would be in close co-operation with France. It was said to be this mood that brought about the disaster that befell the Swedish troops before their king arrived. Also, equally undermining was the fact that whereas the Russian officers, fresh from campaigning in Sentral Europe, had a more modern conception of warfare, the higher offices in command of Finnish units had been trained along old-fashioned lines and they lacked vigour.

The fortress of Sveaborg, the so called the 'Gibraltar of the North', was to play a major role in any counter-offensive. Its importance was also increased by the presence there of the whole Archipelago Fleet, and its garrison of 7,000 men was well supplied with food and ammunition. The fortress was under the command of Karl Otto Cronstedt, the admiral who underestimated the strength of his position and was said to be rather pessimistic about