The Swedish Empire

The Swedish Empire was a powerful state that existed from the 17th century to the early 18th century, reaching its peak during the Thirty Years' War and the Great Northern War. It expanded across northern Europe, including parts of modern-day Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Poland. The empire was known for its strong military and efficient administration. Major figures, like King Charles XII, played crucial roles in its expansion and eventual decline. By the early 18th century, after significant military defeats, the empire fragmented, leading to Sweden's transformation into a smaller nation-state and a shift in European power dynamics.