How Did Sweden Become a Superpower?

Sweden’s great power was between 1611-1718, when Charles XII was shot. Gustavus Adolphus came to Sweden in the 30-year war, mostly to get more power. He wanted to Sweden would rule over all the land around the Baltic Sea. It was King Gustavus Adolphus who made it possible for Sweden to become a superpower, the most important noble at his side was the politician Axel Oxenstierna, who for over 40 years would be the most important politician in Sweden. Oxenstierna Most relatives were, but such policiesitems. His brother Gabriel Oxenstierna. After Sweden became a great power saw Gustav that it developed much, with such roads, and he also introduced the law that all children would learn to read and go to school. Sweden was a poor country, so how could it become a superpower? There were several reasons why Sweden could become a superpower. One reason was that Sweden’s enemies were weak, Russia, Poland and the Holy Roman Empire was at war. And of course, Denmark had an army but it was too small compared to Sweden. Another reason was that Sweden was able to export tar, copper and iron much more than other countries of Europe. Sweden had the entire Golden Age control over Finland. And in the vast forests in Finland and Sweden produced much tar. And no other country in Europe had so much copper and iron ore in its mines Sweden. Through exports, Sweden was in a lot of money which the king could use to hire mercenaries from other countries to Sweden. Sweden riskdag was also unique, where there were people from all different classes of nobles, clergy, burghers, and peasants. They could decide together on suchhow high taxes would be and who would become soldiers. Gustavus Adolphus also introduced newer and more modern battle techniques. Since the 1300’s had used the guns in Europe, they weighed 1 ton, so when the war began were the armies was fairly stagnant. But the new Swedish guns weighed only 150 kg. it was not needed at all, so many horses to pull them. The Swedish army was much more flexible and better able to wage war. In addition, manufactured the cannons and other weapons at home in Sweden, so we saved a lot of money on imports. Sweden was well organized, both Finland and Sweden was divided into counties, but a governor who ruled. Governor’s task was to ensure that decisions taken by the king and parliament had conducted in the counties. There were also bailiffs who went around and took in tax from the peasants. During the 1600s began to registering of all priests in the villages. Then you could see how many young men between 18 and 30 years of age there. They would of course become soldiers. But the priests in the villages also took into account that he did not choose a man who was very important for the survival of the family.So it was often hired men who had become soldiers. But the bulk of the Swedish army as suggested in the Holy Roman Empire were mercenaries. Sweden was now in power lie more in the wars and now they could also take the tax from the major port cities around the Baltic Sea. Sweden became much more organized and powerful. However, when Sweden had become a great power, almost all of Sweden’s resources to the military or navy. During the Golden Age Sweden fought the most.