GUSTAVUS II

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

called by way of distinction Gustavus Adolphus, was a grandson of the former. He was a soldier from childhood. He was born at Stockholm in 1594 and ascended the throne in 1611. He inherited three wars, with Russia, Denmark, and Poland. He was fortunate in having a prime minister by the name of Axel Oxenstiern,--a very Bismarck. Leaving home affairs in competent hands, Gustavus threw himself into the campaign with a vigor that won for him the title of the "Lion of the North." He compelled Russia to cede territory and conclude a peace. Poland and Denmark were glad to come to terms. The German emperor was aiming to root out Protestantism. Gustavus Adolphus entered the field as the champion of the northern Protestants. He won a victory over the great imperial general, Tilly, at Leipsic September 17, 1631. November 16th of the following year he won the battle of Lutzen from the famous Wallenstein, but fell in the hour of triumph. The battlefield is a few miles from Leipsic. A block of granite under a Gothic canopy marks the spot where Gustavus fell. He was a great soldier. He taught Europe that a small, efficient, well disciplined army is superior to an armed mob. He considered 40,000 troops the limit of effectiveness. A larger number of soldiers he regarded as a hindrance. GUSTAVUS III reigned from 1771 to 1792. His reign is marked by strife. He struck at the power of the nobles, reducing their council to the rank of an advisory committee. This measure was popular, but during a war with Russia a few of the disaffected nobles formed a conspiracy and procured his assassination. His taking off was like that of President Lincoln. He was shot at Stockholm in the opera house, March 16, 1792. With this monarch constitutional government began in Sweden. GUSTAVUS IV succeeded his father, Gustavus III. He antagonized the French and joined the German princes against Napoleon. He managed badly. He alienated his people by taxes, engaged in a useless war with Russia, lost Finland to that power, cast away the friendship of England, and was expelled finally from his country. French influence demanded his exile. He refused a pension from the Swedish treasury and died in poverty at St. Gall, Switzerland, February 7, 1837. He was succeeded by Charles XIII, then by Bernadotte. See Wallenstein