- 1. The Swedish Empire, which reached its zenith in the 17th century, was a powerful state that emerged during the Northern Wars and the Thirty Years' War, where Sweden, under the leadership of kings such as Gustavus Adolphus, showcased its military prowess and expanded its territory significantly across the Baltic region and parts of Northern Europe. This remarkable expansion was not only marked by military conquests but also by the establishment of a centralized administrative system and the promotion of trade, turning Swedish cities into bustling centers of commerce. However, the empire's ambitious objectives were challenged by a series of costly conflicts, notably the Great Northern War (1700-1721), where Sweden faced a coalition of powers including Russia, Poland, and Denmark. The war culminated in a significant defeat at the Battle of Poltava in 1709, marking the beginning of the decline of Swedish influence. By the Treaty of Nystad in 1721, Sweden ceded vast territories, relinquishing its status as a great power and ushering in a period of decline that would see the gradual loss of its empire, culminating in a focus on internal development and neutrality in subsequent European conflicts. Today, the legacy of the Swedish Empire remains evident in the cultural and historical influences it left across Northern Europe, while also serving as a reminder of the complexities of power, warfare, and diplomacy during the early modern period.
When was the Treaty of Roskilde signed, marking territorial gains for Sweden?
A) 1667
B) 1658
C) 1648
D) 1679
- 2. Which city served as the capital of Sweden during the empire's peak?
A) Kalmar
B) Stockholm
C) Uppsala
D) Gothenburg
- 3. Who was the last king of the Swedish Empire before its decline?
A) Charles IX
B) Ferdinand I
C) Gustavus III
D) Charles XII
- 4. What year did the Great Northern War begin?
A) 1705
B) 1700
C) 1699
D) 1710
- 5. Which war led to significant territorial losses for Sweden in the early 18th century?
A) Napoleonic Wars
B) War of the Austrian Succession
C) Great Northern War
D) Seven Years' War
- 6. Which treaty ended the Great Northern War for Sweden?
A) Treaty of Stockholm
B) Treaty of Copenhagen
C) Treaty of Nystad
D) Treaty of Utrecht
- 7. The term 'Swedish Empire' primarily refers to Sweden's dominance in which region?
A) North Sea
B) Baltic Sea
C) Caribbean Sea
D) Mediterranean Sea
- 8. What year did Charles XII die, marking a crucial point in Swedish history?
A) 1707
B) 1718
C) 1710
D) 1721
- 9. Who was the famous military leader of Sweden during the Thirty Years' War?
A) Axel Oxenstierna
B) Charles XII
C) Frederick I
D) Gustavus Adolphus
- 10. What was the primary religion in Sweden during the era of the empire?
A) Catholicism
B) Anglicanism
C) Lutheranism
D) Orthodoxy
- 11. What was one consequence of the Great Northern War for Sweden?
A) Increased population
B) Expansion into Russia
C) Loss of territories
D) Gaining new colonies
- 12. Which year is often cited as the end of the Swedish Empire?
A) 1740
B) 1714
C) 1730
D) 1721
- 13. What was the name of the Swedish parliament during the empire?
A) Sveriges Stortings
B) Duma
C) Riksdag
D) Althing
- 14. Who was the notable female ruler during the Swedish Empire?
A) Catherine the Great
B) Queen Victoria
C) Queen Christina
D) Empress Maria Theresa
- 15. What form of governance did Sweden adopt during the 17th century?
A) Constitutional monarchy
B) Republic
C) Feudal system
D) Absolute monarchy
- 16. Which battle marked a significant Swedish victory in 1631?
A) Battle of Prague
B) Battle of Breitenfeld
C) Battle of Nördlingen
D) Battle of Lutzen
- 17. Which empire rose to prominence in the Baltic after the fall of the Swedish Empire?
A) Austrian Empire
B) Ottoman Empire
C) Russian Empire
D) Prussian Empire
- 18. What major event caused a shift in political power after the reign of Charles XII?
A) The Age of Liberty
B) The Great Depression
C) The Age of Enlightenment
D) The French Revolution
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