Treaty of Defensive Alliance between Sweden and Bavaria
The Scanian War was an inconclusive bout, with Sweden winning
ground battles and Denmark assuming control of the seas. With its
control of the seas, Denmark effectively prevented Sweden from assist-
ing France in Germany.
Description of Terms
This defensive alliance existed among the Holy Roman Empire,
Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Denmark pledged to
acquire 16,000 men: 5,000 horsemen and horses, 10,000
infantrymen, and 1,000 dragoons, who would be ready at all
times to march against the enemy. Denmark would receive
14,000 rixdalers per month for this: half from the Catholic
Majesty and half from the other allies. If new enemies to the
allies were to emerge, Denmark would have to break ties with
the new enemies.
For the army to be ready in time, the sponsors would give the
amount of 17,000 rixdalers as soon as possible. The army would
be divided in 10 regiments of cavalry of 500 men and 6 compa-
nies, 10 regiments of infantry of 1,000 men, and 10 companies
of dragoons of 100 men. The allies would pay to Denmark
4,767 rixdalers and 26 sols for each regiment of cavalry and
4,104 rixdalers 4 sols for each regiment of infantry. Denmark
could choose to have more officers and change the form of the
regiment and companies.
If the war were to stop in the middle of the month, the allies
would have to pay the whole month and another month as well.
And if the war were to stop at the beginning of the month, then
that month only would be paid by the allies. If Denmark was
attacked, not only could it use this army for its defense, but the
allies would send more troops. If Denmark was attacked
because of this treaty, the allies would still have to make the
payments. If the army was not strong enough to provide for
defense, the allies would do whatever would be needed to make
the army stronger. And if it was agreed that Denmark would
need a naval army, the allies would pay for half of it.
None of the parties could make peace with the enemy with-
out the consent of the others. After the war, relations among the
allies were to remain friendly.
1.1029 Treaty of Defensive Alliance between
Sweden and Bavaria
Alliance Members:Sweden and Bavaria
Signed On:March 9, 1675, in the city of Munich
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 18, p. 21.
SUMMARY
During the Franco-Dutch War, Brandenburg intervened on the side of
the Dutch. To distract Brandenburg, Louis XIV successfully bribed
Sweden into declaring war on Brandenburg in early 1675. Although
the Holy Roman Empire was a traditional enemy of France in central
Europe at this point, its entry in the Franco-Dutch War against the
French came against the wishes of Bavaria. In March 1675, Sweden
and Bavaria agreed to an alliance in support of the French. The Swe-
den-Brandenburg War followed from the main conflict between the
French and the Dutch.
After the alliance between Bavaria and Sweden, Denmark initiated the
Scanian War. In that conflict, the Danish navy stymied Sweden’s efforts
to move personnel into Germany. The Holy Roman Empire signed a
disadvantageous peace with France, however, and withdrew its
support from Brandenburg. Brandenburg, left to its own devices, was
coerced into a disadvantageous peace at Saint-Germain-en-Laye in
1679 with France and Sweden. Although Sweden suffered numerous
setbacks during the string of conflicts, France was able to orchestrate
several peace agreements where Sweden recouped almost all territory
lost to Brandenburg and Denmark.Description of Terms
The allied parties pledged a sincere and lasting friendship. Both
agreed that if one party were attacked, the other would come to
its aid, either in manpower or with subsidy.1.1030 Alliance between the Holy Roman
Empire and Poland
Alliance Members:Holy Roman Empire and Poland
Signed On:April 24, 1677, in the cities of Vienna and Warsaw (an
exchange of letters)
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 14, p. 209.SUMMARY
The 1670s proved costly for both the Holy Roman Empire and the
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Poland was rife with domestic
squabbling among groups competing for power while the empire was
low on funds and available military personnel, forcing the crown to
become increasingly dependent on foreign assistance in subsidies and
ancillary troops. Both countries also had a common problem: the
Ottoman Empire. Poland had just ceded Podolia to the Turks while
the Ottoman Empire had expanded its holdings into Hungary, inciting
civil strife among the local population. With mutual problems and a
need for assistance in dealing with these issues, Poland and the empire
decided to renew their former alliances in 1677.
The Turkish problem eventually intensified, leading to the formation of
the Holy League in 1683, in which the Venetian Republic and Russia
joined the war effort against the Ottoman Empire. The resulting Great
Turkish War saw the Holy League expel the Turks from most of Europe;
the Turks were never again able to expand their holdings in Europe.Description of Terms
This treaty, originally in Latin, was a renewal of the former
alliance between Poland and the Holy Roman Emperor. The
treaty provided for non-aggression and mutual defense between
the parties, with a specific goal of suppressing internal dissent
and external attacks on both parties. The terms of the treaty
also provided a framework for relations in commerce and other
areas between the parties.