Great Northern War

The Great Northern War (1700–1721) marked a turning point in Estonian history, as it led to the end of Swedish rule and the beginning of Russian domination over Estonia. The war was fought between Sweden and a coalition of powers including Russia, Denmark-Norway, Poland-Lithuania, and Saxony, all seeking to curb Swedish influence in the Baltic region. Estonia, as part of the Swedish Empire, became a key battleground.

The war began in 1700, when Peter the Great of Russia launched an invasion, partly citing Sweden’s inadequate governance during events like the Great Famine of the 1690s. Early Swedish successes, under Charles XII, included victories against Denmark and Russia. However, after 1709, when Charles suffered a decisive defeat at the Battle of Poltava, the tide turned in Russia’s favor.

Estonia endured severe devastation during the war. Russian forces captured Narva in 1704 and soon after took Tartu and Tallinn, as much of the region was ravaged by fighting and plague. The war ended with the Treaty of Nystad in 1721, where Sweden formally ceded Estonia and Livonia to Russia. From then on, Estonia became part of the expanding Russian Empire, marking the beginning of more than two centuries of Russian rule.