Treaty of Schwedt
The Treaty of Schwedt was signed on October 6, 1713 during the siege of Stettin in the Great Northern War between Russia , Saxony-Poland , Denmark and Prussia .
The contract stipulated that Friedrich Wilhelm I had to pay his allies Russia and Saxony-Poland 400,000 thalers to replace the war costs. Furthermore, the city of Stettin , the Western Pomerania district up to the Peene, the city of Wolgast, the island of Usedom and the city of Wollin were placed under Prussian sequestration .
Alliance treaties
Preobrazhenskoe (1699) • Dresden (1699) • Narva (1704) • Dresden (1709) • Thorn (1709) • Copenhagen (1709) • Hanover (1710) • Lutsk (1711) • Adrianople (1713) • Schwedt (1713) • Stettin (1715) • Berlin (1715) • Greifswald (1715)
Peace treaties
Traventhal (1700) • Warsaw (1705) • Altranstädt (1706) • Pruth (1711) • Frederiksborg (1720) • Stockholm (1719) • Stockholm (1720) • Nystad (1721) • Stockholm (1729)
Surrenders
Power political background
The Kingdom of Prussia has been pursuing the acquisition of all of Pomerania as its primary foreign policy goal for over 50 years . That territory of the Upper Saxon Imperial Circle was considered rich in a time when the economic focus was on agricultural acquisition. The mouth of the Oder also offered the opportunity to control trade in the Baltic Sea region from the Brandenburg hinterland and Silesia .
The Brandenburg electors derived their legal claim to the territory from the emperor's enfeoffment of Margrave Otto I in 1181 . This feudal sovereignty of Kurbrandenburg was confirmed again in the Treaty of Prenzlau in 1479 . Since the griffin family in the male line died out with the death of Bogislaw XIV in 1637, the Brandenburgers saw the opportunity to vigorously pursue the occupation of northeast German territory. However, the military superiority of Sweden in the Peace of Westphalia secured this Nordic power the possession of Western Pomerania, while only Western Pomerania fell to the Brandenburgers.
Russia, Denmark and Saxony waged war against the Swedish Baltic Sea region since 1700. After eventful battles that were initially characterized by Swedish successes, Charles XII suffered . a crushing defeat at the Ukrainian fortress of Poltava in 1709 . The King of Sweden fled to Turkey. He refused the offer of the Nordic allies to declare his imperial territories neutral and so from 1711 Russian, Danish and Saxon troops moved into the country. Prussia now tried to insure the Oder estuary. So far, Prussia had remained neutral and aloof from the Danes. Sweden's only ally in the north was Holstein-Gottorf . It was the holstein-gottorfer ministers Henning Friedrich Graf von Bassewitz and Georg Heinrich von Görtz who created a plan in spring 1713. The weak Swedish forces in Stettin were supposed to hand over the city to Gottorf without a fight. It would then be taken under Sequester and revert to Sweden after a peace agreement.
The Swedish diplomat Mauritz Vellingk , who was appointed the new governor-general of Swedish Pomerania in January 1713 , entered into negotiations with Görtz in May. On June 10, both signed an agreement in which the Swedish fortresses of Wismar and Stettin fell under Gottorfer Sequester. The administration should remain in Swedish hands, while Gottorf troops would have to guarantee neutrality. Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm I signed an identical contract with the Duke of Gottorf. For its part, Prussia referred to its deeper intentions at the Viennese court on March 27, 1713. The sequestration of Szczecin aims at the permanent elimination of the Swedish possessions on German soil, announced Prussian diplomats. On the same day Prussian envoys in Stockholm announced that Prussia would only take Stettin under Sequester, in order to return it to Sweden in the event of peace and to maintain Swedish power in northern Germany. While Berlin and Gottorf were negotiating, Tsar Peter I created facts with military means. On July 23, 1713, 24,000 Russians under the command of Prince Alexander Danilowitsch Menshikov began the siege of the Swedish-Pomeranian fortress of Szczecin. A little later the Saxon siege artillery arrived in front of the city. Danish warships also support the operation. They enclosed the enemy's weak maritime forces in the Dammschen See .
The besiegers faced the 4,500 strong garrison under General Johan August Meijerfeldt . Despite the order of the transfer to Gottorf by Governor General Vellingk, Meyerfeldt decidedly refused. For him only the orders of Karl are relevant. Meyerfeldt's bravery was respected and quite a few citizens took part in the fighting. On the other hand, fear dictated urban action. This grew when the Russians and Saxons heavily bombarded the city on September 22, 1713. The council and the citizenry forced Meyerfeldt to give in. This asked for an armistice. The besieging troops refused and repeated the bombardment on September 28th. Meyerfeldt now entered into direct negotiations with the Gottorf minister Bassewitz and the Prussian general Karl Friedrich von Schlippenbach . He quickly came to an agreement with the Holsteiner and signed a corresponding contract, which again approved the sequestration of the city. Since there were no Holstein-Gottorf troops on site, Bassewitz quickly took over several Swedish companies in Gottorf service. From then on, they formed part of the sequester troop. The rest of the crew were given free retreat. On the Prussian side, Bassewitz's actions came under pressure. Schlippenbach therefore negotiated on behalf of Friedrich Wilhelm with Menshikov. The Tsar was quite open to a Prussian sequester. He could do little with Szczecin itself. If it stayed with Gottorf, the town was threatened to be returned to Sweden. In addition, this way Prussia could be induced to enter the war against Sweden. Menshikov offered the city to withdraw the besiegers if Prussian troops were allowed in. On October 6, 1713, 1,600 Prussians marched into the city.
Conclusion of contract
Under the leadership of the Holstein minister Georg Heinrich von Görtz and the Saxon Count Jacob Heinrich von Flemming , the Treaty of Schwedt was signed on October 6, 1713. They managed to allay the concerns of the King of Prussia and approval was also wrested from General Menshikov.
The contract stipulated that Friedrich Wilhelm I had to pay his allies Russia and Saxony-Poland 400,000 thalers to replace the war costs. Furthermore, the city of Stettin, the Western Pomerania district up to the Peene , the city of Wolgast , the island of Usedom and the city of Wollin were placed under Prussian sequestration.
In addition, Prussia, together with the Holstein-Gottorp House, took on the obligation to ensure that the Swedes, from Pomerania, do not carry out any attacks on Poland or Russia. Furthermore, it had to guarantee the defense of Pomerania against possible attacks from outside.
The lands were to remain under Prussian and Holstein sequestration until Sweden had paid back the 400,000 thalers in compensation to Prussia. After that they would be under the Swedish crown again.
After the conclusion of the contract, the Swedes vacated Stettin and withdrew to Stralsund . This city and the Western Pomerania district between the Peene, Trebel and Recknitz as well as the island of Rügen remained in Swedish hands.
The Russian troops also had to withdraw from Western Pomerania. The background to the drafting of the contract remained hidden from the German public and only after two years were the terms of the Schwedt contract published in full.
Contract text
Treaty with the Nordic allies (Russia, Saxony, Denmark) concerning the sequestration of the fortresses Stettin, Stralsund and Wismar. With 1 secretion and 1 separate article. Schwedt 1713, October 6. Prussian ratification (for Saxony): 1713, November 5; Saxon ratification: Warsaw 1713, December 10.
Reprinted in: Loewe, Preussens Staatsvertvertrag (Bibliography), No. 7, pp. 28–35.
After your royal. Maj. In Prussia see the project proposed to you elsewhere, to sequester the Duchy of Pomerania and to keep it in possession until the end of the present war in the north, after careful consideration that it can perhaps promote the peace that is to be established here and even serve as a foundation As if you have such a wholesome and avantageuse both before both parties in the north and before the whole Roman Empire as well as before your royal. Maj. To facilitate even glorieuse and beneficial work the more, but in particular to pave the way to the restoration of calm on German soil the better, not only without the royal Swedish ministerial, but also afterwards the Nordic allies sound out and follow up with the latter compared to many mature deliberations because of these points.
Art. 1.
Initially, the Nordic allies, Maj. Maj. Maj., Hereby declare that you consider yourself to be necessary to master all the fortresses of Sweden and the other fortresses on German soil as soon as possible, especially through those against them The war operation carried out for the fortress of Stettin has already progressed to the point where the Swedish garrison has really left the place, the island of Rügen is also occupied by the troops of the Nordic allies. Highly thought allies, however, want to keep such good and strict order in those war operations in Western Pomerania, for example, that the royal Prussian neighboring countries should not be in the least harmed.
Art. 2.
But just like Sr. Tsar. Maj. The intention is by no means to hold a few conquests in Germany, nor to own the lands and fortresses that are taking away from Crown Sweden there, Se. Tsar. Maj. Therefore your Emperor. Maj., Want to give the Reich and other men adequate security and now at the handover of the fortress Stettin a clear test of it, as if in the name and because of Sr. Tsar. The Maj. Of Prince Menshikov's Passage, associated with this, warmed the city and fortress of Stettin with all their dependencies and in specie with the artillery in them. Royal In Prussia, in order to occupy the same with your troops, which are to move into the place immediately when this treaty is drawn, so as you will find it good, without pretending to be a pretender to the prince, on behalf of your tsar. Maj. To take a part in such a garrison, nor that some Russian troops are to be employed for it; all of which is also liked and accepted by the two other kings Maj. Maj. who are included in the Nordic Ligue.
Art. 3.
On the other hand, Se. Royal Maj. In Prussia, that when you take possession and sequestration of the place in this way, you will keep it in possession until the Nordic Peace has taken place and will not grant it to the Crown of Sweden any more than until the Crown of Sweden, which is the highest thought in Stettin, until the Peace of Stettin want.
Art. 4.
Stralsund and Wismar also have this evidence, whether it is that these fortresses surrender voluntarily or are forced to surrender arms by the force of the northern allies. And just like the Nordic allies, Maj.Maj.Maj., With the royal Swedish garrisons in mottled fortresses, do not want to capitulate on any other foot than that such garrisons as a whole are either made prisoners of war or transported to Sweden, so Se. Royal Maj. In Prussia, your highest place, also think that such a thing should happen, and no less precave that as long as the Northern War lasts, no Swedish troops are transported into the Reich; How you then, if something like this should happen from the Swedish side, hereby promise to really oppose this plan and therefore to make causam communem with the Nordic allies. Whereas the Nordic allies join again,
Art. 5.
That, as soon as the Crown of Sweden still has other permanent places of the aforementioned dimensions in Sr. Königl. Maj. Will be brought into Prussian hands per modum sequestri, you will lead away all your troops in Western Pomerania and, as long as the war between you and Sweden continues, you will not return there with your armies, something hostile against such Western Pomerania countries or want to undertake something that might otherwise troubled general retirement in the Reich; but on the express condition that
Art. 6.
Se. Royal Maj. In Prussia again committed to not in any way allowing, but rather to hinder with arms in every possible way, that the royal Swedish troops from such West Pomeranian lands against Poland, Saxony, and the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein to undertake something hostile, still through the same country, to attack other provinces belonging to the northern allies, to march through or, if they made an incursion into the same country from elsewhere, from there to Western Pomerania and into those located in it and to Se. Royal Maj. In Prussia handed over permanent places can take a retreat.
Art. 7.
And just like the Nordic ally Maj. Maj. Maj. Through this in Sr. Königl. Maj. Sequestrum of the fortresses Stettin, Stralsund and Wismar, placed in Prussian hands. Deroselbe a strange marque of yours to Sr. Königl. Maj. Given special confidence and respect, so Se. Royal Maj. In Prussia also united again that with such a sequestro you did not show the slightest partiality against the northern high ally Maj. Maj. Maj., Nor did you ligate yourself directly or indirectly with the crown of Sweden, but rather in this Nordic war As before, also keep an exact neutrality and do not want to exceed it in any way against you to the faveur of the Crown Sweden. If, however, due to the sequestration of the fortress Stralsund and the island of Rügen with the Crown Sweden anitzo, no correctness can be made, so that either the aforementioned fortress will be reduced with the Force, or with the permission of the Nordic Allies Maj. Maj. Maj. The Crown Sweden remain should, so will Se. Royal Maj. In Prussia in this last case have also committed themselves herewith, as already stated above, not to allow Swedish troops to be transported to Stralsund, or at least to prevent Stralsund from attacking Poland, Saxony and the duchies of Schleswig- Holstein was done something hostile. Also prominent here are Se. Royal Maj. In Prussia that, in the event that it should be necessary to attack Stralsund fortress with the force, you will then inevitably allow the northern allies, Maj. Maj. Maj. Troops, to pass through Dero and the sequestered Western Pomerania. And then also
Art. 8
The Nordic high ally, Maj. Maj. Maj. To commit himself again in the most binding manner, that when the King's Maj. Against the better suspicion of Sr. Königl. Maj. In Prussia, out of good intentions, the general nature and the Roman Empire, oddly enough, the crown of Sweden himself should interpret the sequestrum adopted unequally and take from it the occasional and pretext, Sr. Königl. To annoy Maj. In Prussia or even to act hostile to it, be it himself or through other Puissances, then the most highly thought Nordic ally, Maj. Maj. Maj. Sr. Königl. Maj. In Prussia emphatically accept it again and use arms and all your might against everything that concerns Sr. Königl. Maj. In Prussia damage and disadvantage, it be from Sweden itself or from Dero's friends and allies, they are whoever they want, who would like to be made use of, come to the rescue, also do not want to make peace with Sweden, it would then be Sr. Royal Maj. In Prussia was given real and sufficient satisfaction because of this damage done to him.
Art. 9.
And thus about this between Sr. Königl. Maj. In Prussia and the Nordic allies, Maj. Maj. Maj. No one has to take any ombrage, the highest gentlemen of your imperialists on both sides want to. Maj., To the Reich, also to those foreign Puissances and in particular to France, England and the state their true intention leading to this and that the same is for nothing other than the calming of the Reich and that the Northern War should gradually even be dampened, and for promotion of a cheap and reasonable peace made known everywhere. Two identical copies of this treatise are documented, one of which was made by Ihro Königl. Maj. In Prussia himself and the other signed by the Prince von Menshikov Trans. And exchanged for one another, with the assurance that the Prince mentioned on the side that he was aware of his Sr. Tsar. And, as far as necessary, of the other Nordic allies, Maj. Maj. Ratificationes, within two or three months at the most, and Sr. Königl. Want to have Maj. Consigned to Berlin. Then also the highest opponents on both sides want to endeavor that this treatise also from other Puissances and in particular from your Kaiserl. Maj. And the Churhaus Braunschweig and the same declarations about it may be issued in proper form. Given at Schwedt, October 6th, 1713. (LS) Menzikoff.
Articulus secretus
Although in the 2nd Articul of today's date between Sr. Königl. Maj. In Prussia and the Tsar's Maj. Drawn up tracts only from the city and fortress of Stettin, and that Se. Royal Maj. In Prussia should occupy the same with your troops, is mentioned, so there is a strange comparison and Sr. Königl. Maj. In Prussia, the Tsar Maj. Gave the freedom to occupy the entire stretch of land from the Oder to the Peene, including the towns of Demmin, Anklam and Wolgast on the same river, with your troops, without your from someone of the Nordic allies under the pretext of their war with the Crown Sweden or otherwise some entry in it or Se. Royal Maj. In the peaceful possession of such a strip of land can be in the slightest turbiret than what else your tsar. Maj. Before an opening done to you, see also Sr. Königl. Maj. Darwider want to provide real assistance. Whereas Se. Royal Maj. In Prussia join forces in the strongest possible way, that you do not want to give such a dash of land any more than the city of Stettin to Sweden before and before such a thing has been pacified by the future peace. Two identical copies etc. of this secret article are documented.
Schwedt, October 6th 1713. (LS) Menzikoff
Articulus separatus
Because even the pre-Pomeranian Sequestrum proposed by the royal Swedish governor in Szczecin to calm the empire and for the good of the common cause, especially for the Crown of Sweden of the highest interest, do not want to be accepted, regardless of whether it has been proposed to him on various occasions, and of Prince von Menshikov's passage, then found himself obligated, intended to constring the governor to accept sothanen Sequestri by arms, but because of the artillery and ammunition, which was laboriously brought in from far-flung places, also acquired valuable subsistance of the Russian army in bread and other very much requires great expense to be replaced on behalf of your tsar. Maj. And Sr. Königl. Maj. Of Poland had passed immovably, even the Prince of Menshikov did not want to withhold transmission of the Prosequence of the Attaque of Stettin and occupation of the city with Russian troops in any other form than that your Königl. Maj. In Poland and the Tsar's Maj. Because of the reimbursement of such costs, which amount to many tons of gold, proper amusement and security would first and foremost be provided; and then Se. Royal Maj. In Prussia out of a real desire to promote retirement here in the neighborhood, also to avert the complete desolation of the city of Stettin and the surrounding Western Pomeranian lands, including the 500,000 thalers, which for advance payment of such for the subsistance of the Russian army and according to the Stettin operation costs, according to a treatise drawn up about it between the Tsar and the King in Poland Maj. Maj. August 28th ac. demanded for 400,000 thalers current money treated as a promise Se. Royal Maj. In Prussia herewith that, because this money cannot be raised by the Crown of Sweden and from Western Pomerania so soon, you want to advance the half-cut of such 400,000 thalers and have them paid off as follows, namely with the beginning of the coming week 100,000 thalers and up Next Christmas again 100,000 thalers against Prince Menshikov's receipt in Berlin paid cash, but because of the remaining half of the imagined 400,000 thalers, which the Princely House of Holstein-Gottorf has to take over according to the special treaty drawn up with the same, with Your Koenigl. Maj. In Poland the matter is compared in such a way, and the same is therefore to be given such satisfaction as Se. Royal Maj. In Prussia through a special at Prince Menshikov's passage before Se. Royal Maj. In Poland issued reverses have made allegations with several.
Se. Tsar. Maj. Join with this, in front of yourself and your allies, most strongly that, like Se. Royal Maj. In Prussia such a considerable sum of money without any obligation, only for the good of the common being, to calm the neighborhood and to prevent the city of Stettin, otherwise inevitable utter ruin, and then it would be extremely unfair when it. Royal Maj. Should suffer the slightest damage here, that when, with peace, Sr. Königl. Maj. The city of Stettin with the district up to the Peene should not be assigned, which Se. Tsar. Maj. But in all ways convey and Se. Royal Maj. To want to mainteniren hereby promise in the most binding way that such unexpected event will nevertheless se. Tsar. Maj.Sr. Königl. Maj. In Prussia at least the replacement of these advance funds, also other expenses used on this whole work or still being used by the Crown Sweden, as those who benefit from them, really do not want to make peace with the same crown in any other form , than that Sr. Königl. Maj. The fortress and city of Stettin and its district ceded or otherwise Se. Royal Because of this, the capital, interest, damage, and expenses were completely covered. In a sense, Se too. Royal Maj. Until then from all the northern allies and the Tsar Maj. In specie in the possession of the city and fortress of Stettin and their dependencies in every way and, when Se. Royal Maj. In it by somebody turbiret or yours in your countries, it may be where it may, therefore some inconvenience wanted to be inflicted by somebody, such as an yourro tsar. Hostility inflicted on Maj. And the other Nordic high allies ressentiret, also Sr. Königl. Maj. Darwider all required assistance is to be provided.
Two identical exemplars etc. are documented separately from this articulo. Given Schwedt, October 6th 1713. (LS) Menzikoff.
Further development
The contemporaries associated the Schwedt Treaty with the prospect that the war in Pomerania would soon end. Charles XII. did not recognize the sequestration of Szczecin. In November 1714 he rode from the Ottoman Empire to Stralsund , initially accompanied by just one companion, and later entirely alone . He intended to defend this fortress personally and to regain control of the whole of Western Pomerania.
These plans were by no means hidden from Berlin. They led to a massive expansion of the Prussian garrison in Stettin. In the spring of 1714, before Charles' return, 4,566 Prussian soldiers were standing in the fortress. They shared the quarters with 1,122 Holsteiners. The city was accountable to two commanders, the Prussian Lieutenant General Adrian Bernhard von Borcke and the Holstein-Gottorf Major General Horn.
After Prussia had moved closer and closer to the positions of the Nordic Alliance in the course of 1714, it entered the war against Sweden the following summer.
literature
- Victor Loewe (Hrsg.): Prussian State Treaties from the reign of King Friedrich Wilhelm I (= publications from the Prussian State Archives. Vol. 87, ZDB -ID 503432-2 ). Hirzel, Leipzig 1913.
- Astrid Blome: The German image of Russia in the early 18th century. Investigations into the investigation of contemporary press coverage of Russia under Peter I. Otto Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 2000, ISBN 3-447-04341-5 (also: Bremen, Universität, Dissertation, 1999).