Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XIII. Reign of Charles XII, 1697–1718 - D. War with Augustus II
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War ivith Poland 223
D. THE WAR WITH AUGUSTUS II
Charles Became Aggressive. Having thus repulsed
the Russians, Charles turned against his third enemy,
Augustus, and defeated him in the hard-fought battle
of Riga, 1701. In the course of one year Charles had
cleared his own and his ally’s lands of enemies. Other
princes now advised him to make peace. His own sub-
jects begged for it. The country’s strength had been
sorely tried. Taxes were so high that in many places
the people were unable to pay them. But Charles
would listen to no peace with Augustus. "For since
he (Augustus) has once practiced treachery the Royal
Majesty can place no reliance on his word, no matter
what he says,"" wrote Charles to his council. And to
Piper, Charles said, "If we leave Augustus in posses-
sion of the throne of Poland, he will attack us in the
rear when we march against Tsar Peter." Hence,
Charles was fully resolved to render Augustus harm-
less by deposing him from the throne of Poland.
Charles thus passes from the defensive to the offensive
stage of the war.
The Invasion of Poland. When he was about to in-
vade Poland, the people there warned him not to pass
their border, as it was not they, but their king that had
begun the war. "Very well, renounce your king then,"
replied Charles. But by this answer Charles had
wounded their national pride and incited them to war.
Should they on the demand of a foreign prince depose
their king, whom by their own free choice they had
elected?
This war in Poland reminds one forcibly of that of
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