Treaty of Defensive Alliance between Brandenburg and the Netherlandsand more than three times the number of men stipulated in this
alliance to defend the Danish capital of Copenhagen at the Battle of
the Sond. The British failed to aid Swedish efforts in the conflict.
Description of Terms
According to the French text, the alliance was considered a firm
sea and land alliance. If one country was troubled in its naviga-
tion or commerce or was obliged to take arms for its defense,
the other had to provide 4,000 well-armed and -equipped men
within three months; but during those three months, the assis-
tant country could try to settle the problem diplomatically. The
attacked country was free to decide if the help was to be entirely
in soldiers, money, warships, arms, war munitions, or any com-
bination of those items. If the help were provided in soldiers,
the attacked country could choose to use them as it wished, as
long as the soldiers were under its flags in groups of at least two
or three hundred. Additional resources for the attacked country
could also be discussed.
After a war started, the attacked country could not discuss or
conclude peace with the enemy without the consent of the
allied country. The attacked country would be free to levy for
marines, soldiers, or officers in the other country, and the help
would be provided without contradictions or exceptions. The
alliance was not intended to injure those in the treaties of 1640
(France, Sweden, and the cities of Lübeck, Bremen, and Ham-
burg). The alliance was in force when signed and was set to end
August 13, 1685. Other countries or cities could join the alliance
after two years, with the consent of the original two members.
1.1002 Treaty of the Renewal of the Alliance
between France and the Swiss Cantons
Alliance Members:France and the Swiss cantons
Signed On:July 2, 1653, in the city of Solothurn (Switzerland)
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 3, p. 81.
Additional Citations:Dumont,vol. 5, part 2, p. 65.
SUMMARY
The alliance mandated the assistance of Swiss mercenaries to France
during times of crisis. In late 1652 and through July of 1653, the Swiss
cantons dealt with rebellious peasants demanding fiscal relief to offset
the impact of poor economic conditions. The revolt was temporarily
successful, with a combined force of rural peasants laying siege to the
cities of Berne and Lucerne and forcing the officials to sign peace
accords. The revolt was eventually put down by the cantons, and the
leaders of the revolt were imprisoned or killed.
One of the major causes of the financial distress in the cantons was the
loss of the pensions paid by France and Spain for Swiss mercenaries
during the Thirty Years War. This alliance assured the Swiss that the
pensions would continue in case conflict resumed, and the treaty
assured the French that the mercenaries would be available from the
Swiss, even after the domestic unrest caused by the peasant war.
The alliance was signed by France and the canton of Solothurn on
July 2, 1653. The other twelve Swiss cantons signed the treaty over
the course of the following five years. France ratified the com-
pleted treaty on July 19, 1658.Description of Terms
If France was to be invaded or attacked, it could levy for defense
the number of soldiers that it pleased; no less than 6,000 and no
more than 16,000. The soldiers would stay at the service of
France as long as the king pleased or until the war was over. The
soldiers would not be used on the sea. If the soldiers were to be
retained longer than three months they would be paid four
florins and a half or the same value for a month. If the war was
won, France would pay an additional month. The Swiss cantons
would also have to send armament, which, if not lost at war,
would be returned. The Swiss cantons would also have to pay
France 25,000 écus four times per year. Both countries would
not let the enemy through its land. In time of war, France would
honor the Treaty of Salt and other provisions through its
colonies. The alliance was to be respected over any other
alliance by the Swiss cantons.1.1003 Treaty of Defensive Alliance between
Brandenburg and the Netherlands
Alliance Members:Brandenburg and the Netherlands
Signed On:July 27, 1655, in the city of The Hague (Netherlands)
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Aitzema,vol. 8, p. 3496.
Additional Citations:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 3, p. 441;
Dumont,vol. 6, part 2, p. 108.SUMMARY
This alliance was formed less than a month after Sweden’s attack on
Poland in the First Northern War. The Dutch had significant commer-
cial interests in the Baltic Sea, and Brandenburg’s proximity to Poland
combined with Swedish King Gustav’s interest in control of Prussia
made both countries wary of renewed conflict in the region.
Sweden, seizing upon the opportunity following Russia’s invasion and
occupation of half of Poland, moved quickly to control the other half.
Popular unrest followed quickly during the year of occupation, and
Sweden had growing difficulties in maintaining control over Krakow
and Warsaw. The Elector of Brandenburg, Frederick William I, whose
allegiance to Gustav had been forced by early Swedish victories,
became a critical ally of Sweden and used the changed events to con-
trol East Prussia. A combined force from Sweden and Brandenburg
quashed the resistance.
Initial difficulties in the battle for Denmark during the summer of
1657 again made Brandenburg a critical ally for Sweden. Branden-
burg subsequently negated its allegiance with Sweden, however, and
joined Denmark and its allies in trying to force Gustav to accept the
mediation of Oliver Cromwell and Cardinal Mazarin. The Swedes
continued their fighting and eventually laid siege to Copenhagen in
1658, but the city defenses held long enough for the Dutch to inter-
vene. The Battle of the Sound in October of 1658 witnessed the
defeat of the Swedish fleet at the hands of the Dutch and ensured
the continuation of the Baltic trade route that was crucial for the
Dutch economy.