Preliminary Treaty of Alliance (Treaty of Ried)3.1126 Treaty between Prussia and Sweden
Alliance Members:Prussia and Sweden
Signed On:April 22, 1813, in the city of Stockholm. In force until
November 20, 1815.
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:British Foreign and State Papers,vol. 1, p. 349.
Additional Citations:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 62, p. 225.
SUMMARY
The alliance was signed soon after the defection of Prussia from
French control during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. Prussia
declared war on France on March 16, 1813, and France responded
by evacuating both Prussia and Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The object of
this treaty was to begin the construction of an eastern coalition
against Napoleon and his holdings outside of France. Sweden had
participated in two prior campaigns against Napoleon, and this
treaty ensured a third.
Articles 1 through 3 contained the alliance provisions of the treaty,
and Articles 6 through 9 detailed how the two states would coordinate
their military activities. The secret provisions of the treaty were not
transmitted to Britain or Russia and contained the eventual division of
territory to be given to Sweden in exchange for its support of the war.
Following Napoleon’s surrender in 1814, Sweden participated in its
fourth and final campaign with the conquest of Norway.
On January 14, 1814, the Treaty of Kiel ceded Norway from Denmark
to Sweden with a guarantee to the Norwegians that their rights would
be respected in the new union. Sweden reciprocated by ceding western
Pomerania and Rügen to Denmark. The alliance ended with the sign-
ing of the Second Treaty of Paris, confirming the settlement of post-
war Europe.
Description of Terms
The kings of Sweden and Prussia pledged mutual security by
defense with a united force and affirmed all their possessions in
Europe. This offensive and defensive alliance was meant to
guarantee their natural borders and the tranquility of their
states. Both states agreed that their first priority would be the
removal of French forces from positions and fortifications in
northern Germany.
Sweden pledged 30,000 men for the siege or blockade of
Stettin, which would be commanded by a Prussian general. The
troops would be supported by the fortress of Colberg and the
encampments surrounding the fortress, under the command of
the Swedish crown prince. Sweden also pledged naval support
and guaranteed commerce between the subjects of the two
countries. The king of Prussia would delegate a senior officer,
with appropriate powers to execute necessary troop move-
ments, to be attached to the headquarters of the Crown Prince
of Sweden.
Neither party would negotiate separately with the enemy,
sign a separate peace, truce, or agreement. The king of Sweden
pledged his good offices to facilitate Prussian requests for arms,
munitions, and subsidies from England.
Following this treaty, a separate convention was to be
concluded to regulate commerce between the two countries,
with most-favored-nation status afforded to citizens of both
parties. A second convention was to regulate all travel and pro-
visions of the armies of Sweden while in the territories of Prus-
sia. Russia and England were to be immediately notified of this
alliance.
This treaty also had separate secret articles. In these articles,
Sweden pledged not to lay down its arms until Prussia had been
reconstructed to its geographical and financial conditions from
the start of the war of 1806. Sweden also affirmed Prussian con-
trol of all territories in northern Germany, save for Hanover and
the territories both parties would agree as compensation for
Denmark in case the latter ceded Norway to Sweden, according
to the agreements made with Britain and Prussia.
To this end, the king of Sweden would retain 25,000 Swedish
troops in Germany until Norway would be united with Sweden.
If the goal of union between Norway and Sweden were not
attained, Prussia would lend 15,000 troops to Sweden to take
the territory by force.
Both parties agreed to seek the assistance of the court of
Vienna in their cause.3.1127 Preliminary Treaty of Alliance (Treaty
of Ried)
Alliance Members:Austria, Bavaria, Russia (November 4, 1813), and
Prussia (November 4, 1813)
Signed On:October 8, 1813, in the city of Ried (Austria)
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 62, p. 423.SUMMARY
After its failed invasion of Russia, the tide turned against the French.
To hedge their bets and protect their regal status, several of the French
buffer states in the Confederation of the Rhine started negotiations
with the allies to defect from the French.
Maximilian I of Bavaria had become a king by Napoleon but success-
fully negotiated an alliance with Austria in October 1813. In exchange
for joining the Sixth Coalition against France, Bavaria was allowed to
maintain its status as a kingdom. This alliance for Bavaria was fortu-
itous because just days after signing the alliance with Austria, the
French were routed in the Battle of Leipzig. Although Bavaria was
allowed to maintain its kingdom status following the war, the king had
to make numerous concessions to Austria. In the fallout from the
Congress of Vienna, the Kingdom of Bavaria ceded Tyrol and parts of
the Inn River to Austria.Description of Terms
By the terms of this treaty, the Kingdom of Bavaria left the Con-
federation of the Rhine and joined the Sixth Coalition against
Napoleon’s forces. Austria pledged to maintain Bavaria’s sover-
eign and independent status.