Treaty of Alliance among Denmark, France, and Great BritainThe alliance ran almost continuously from 1726 to 1762 and had sev-
eral important ramifications for European foreign affairs. This alliance
signifies the mutual imperial interests of Austria and Russia, resulting
in joint allied participation in the War of Polish Succession and the
Seven Years War that culminated in 1762.
Description of Terms
The parties pledged a solid and lasting friendship. Russia joined
the peace treaties of Nieustad (August 30, 1722) and Vienna
(April 30, 1725) with Spain. Both allies promised to aid each
other in the case of war and to not make peace with the aggres-
sor without the other’s consent. Neither of the parties would
give refuge to rebels or protection to the rebels’ supporters.
During war, both parties promised to send 30,000 men:
20,000 infantrymen and 10,000 dragoons. If Russia used its
fleet, it could find refuge in the emperor’s ports as well as in
Spain’s. Poland would be invited to join the treaty, and because
peace was not quite complete between Sweden and Poland, Aus-
tria-Hungary would try to make it so. Additional allies will have
a period of one year in which to join the treaty.
2.1069 Treaty of Alliance between Prussia and
Russia
Alliance Members:Prussia and Russia
Signed On:August 10, 1726, in the city of St. Petersburg
Alliance Type:Neutrality Pact (Type II)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 32, p. 317.
SUMMARY
Russia and Prussia signed an alliance in 1726 in which Prussia vowed
neutrality as Russia tried to deal with the issue of ceding territory of
the former duchy of Holstein-Gottorp to Danish dominion. The
alliance also tried to settle the question of Polish succession.
Poland had emerged from the Great Northern War greatly weakened.
Augustus II had tried to compensate for the weakened state of Poland
by strengthening Saxony’s dynastic claim to the throne of Poland, a
development not in Russia’s interest given the considerable influence
Russia had in Poland following the Great Northern War. It was also
not in Prussia’s interest, as Prussia vied to exercise control in Poland in
the name of the House of Brandenburg. The alliance signed between
Prussia and Russia contained secret articles about Polish succession, in
which both states agreed to support the claim of a mutually acceptable
candidate that compromised neither state’s position in Poland.
Description of Terms
The Prussian king promised to remain neutral and not declare
against Russia in the quest to return to the throne of Denmark
the Duke of Schleswig-Holstein. The treaty also contained three
secret articles and a declaration of the empress, by which all
agreed that should the Polish throne become vacant, only can-
didates that were acceptable to both powers would be allowed to
hold the crown.
2.1070 Treaty of Alliance among Denmark,
France, and Great Britain
Alliance Members:Denmark, France, and Great Britain
Signed On:April 16, 1727, in the city of Copenhagen
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 32, p. 397.
Additional Citations:A Collection of All the Treaties of Peace, Alliance,
and Commerce Between Great Britain and Other Powers,vol. I,
p. 397–404.SUMMARY
On April 16, 1727, Denmark, Great Britain, and France signed a mili-
tary alliance in Copenhagen. The alliance itself was another extension
of the Treaty of Hanover signed by Great Britain, France, and Prussia
in reaction to the alliance concluded between the Holy Roman
Emperor and Spain.
Denmark was compelled to seek support from western powers in light
of growing problems with Russia. Russia was annoyed with Frederick
IV of Denmark for refusing to marry his son to the daughter of Peter
the Great. In response, Russia put forward a plan to marry the tsar’s
daughter to a sworn enemy of Frederick IV: Charles Frederick of Hol-
stein-Gottorp. Further, Russia planned to give Charles Frederick the
throne of Denmark, obtaining a pledge of noninterference from Prus-
sia. George I of England, who was also the Elector of Hanover, feared
conflict might spill over into his possession of Bremen-Verden. Mean-
while, France was concerned with checking Russian power. The anxi-
eties of all sides led them into an alliance.
Fears of a Danish conflict with Russia were allayed with a treaty
signed in May 1732. In this pact, Denmark and Russia assured each
other of respecting all realms each had in possession by the conclu-
sion of the treaty.Alliance Text
WHEREAS their majefties the king of Great Britain and the
moft Chriftian King are always attentive to fulfil their engage-
ments, and to watch over the quiet and fecurity of their friends
and allies; and, as their faid majefties have really caufe to
believe, that the Mufcovites and their adherents may foon con-
cert means, and make difpofitions to come and attack the
dominions of his majefty the king of Denmark, either to take
away by force from his Danifh Majefty the duchy of Slefwick; or
to prepare the means for executing other projects contrary to
the tranquility of the North, and of the Lower Saxony, and of
the countries which are of concern to the contracting parties in
the circle of Weftphalia; and as their Britannick and moft
Chriftian Majefties are fo much concerned in intereft to take
due precautions againft every thing that, by troubling the peace
of the faid countries, may, at the fame time, give a blow to the
treaty of Hanover, as it efpecially confirms the treaties of Weft-
phalia; and to put themfelves in a condition to execute faithfully
the guaranties given againft any invafion or hoftility on the part
of the Czarina, or of any other power whatfoever, which fhould
come and attack the duchy of Slefwick: their Britannick, moft
Chriftian and Danifh Majefties have thought fit to give their full