Sweden’s involvement in the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763), a major global conflict primarily fought between European powers, was relatively limited compared to its participation in earlier wars. By this time, Sweden was no longer the dominant military power it had been during the 17th century. The country’s role in the conflict is viewed as part of the Era of Liberty, a period of parliamentary rule and political instability dominated by two factions—the Hats and the Caps—whose policies greatly influenced Sweden’s decision to engage in the war.
Background
During the Era of Liberty (1719–1772), Sweden's political power shifted away from the monarchy to the Riksdag (parliament), which was controlled by the Hats and Caps. The Hats, a pro-aristocracy and pro-military faction, sought to revive Sweden’s military prestige and expand its influence, especially after the territorial losses from the Great Northern War (1700–1721). On the other hand, the Caps, the rival political faction, favored neutrality and economic stability.
When the Seven Years’ War broke out in 1756, it pitted major European powers against each other, with Prussia and Britain on one side, and Austria, France, and Russia on the other. Sweden was officially neutral at the start of the conflict, but the Hats, who were in power at the time, saw an opportunity to recover territories lost to Prussia earlier in the century, particularly Pomerania. Sweden had lost Swedish Pomerania to Prussia in earlier conflicts and sought to regain its influence in northern Germany.
Sweden’s Involvement
In 1757, Sweden formally entered the war by allying with Austria, France, and Russia against Prussia, thus opening a Northern front in the war. The Hats led Sweden into the war with the aim of reclaiming Swedish Pomerania, but Swedish military actions were largely unsuccessful. Swedish forces, under poor leadership, struggled in several engagements in Pomerania, including battles against Prussian forces, and failed to make significant gains.
The Swedish campaign in northern Germany was marked by indecisiveness, lack of resources, and a weak military. Although Sweden managed to hold its positions for most of the war, it failed to gain any major victories or territories. By 1762, the war’s stalemate and mounting economic pressures forced Sweden to negotiate peace.
End of the War and Aftermath
The Treaty of Hamburg in 1762 marked Sweden’s exit from the Seven Years’ War. The treaty essentially restored the status quo, meaning Sweden neither gained nor lost any territories. This outcome reflected Sweden’s declining military and political influence in Europe by the mid-18th century.
Sweden’s involvement in the Seven Years’ War further weakened its economy, which had already been fragile due to earlier conflicts. The war demonstrated the limits of Sweden’s ability to project military power abroad, especially compared to major European powers like Prussia, France, and Russia. The war also weakened the Hats politically, and by the 1760s, their failures led to the Caps taking power in the Swedish Riksdag.
The Seven Years’ War thus highlighted Sweden’s reduced role in European geopolitics and marked the last time Sweden would participate in a major European conflict as a significant military power. After this period, Sweden’s foreign policy became more focused on neutrality and avoiding entanglement in the major wars that would dominate Europe in the 19th century.