Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XVII. Reign of Gustavus IV Adolphus, 1792–1809 - B. The French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte
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304 A History of Sweden
whom he had received many favors. He had eagerly
sought to unite the princes of Europe in a crusade
against the Revolution. He would command the united
forces, but before the campaign could begin Gustavus
III was no more. His son, Gustavus IV Adolphus, in-
herited the father’s hatred of the Revolution and trans-
ferred that hatred to Napoleon Bonaparte. His hatred
of this political and social subverter had become an
obsession with him. He saw in Napoleon the incarna-
tion of all wickedness. He recognized in him the "great
beast" of the Apocalypse. It should be a sacred duty
of all upright princes to make war on him.
The Sacrifice of Finland to Napoleon’s Ambition. In-
accessible in their island-world, the British would not
submit to the dictation of the conqueror of continental
Europe. The contest for the mastery of the world was
thus to resolve itself into a duel between Napoleon and
England. In an open and direct fight Napoleon was
unable to subdue this sea power, for his fleet was far
inferior to that of England. Then was born in him the
thought to strike this commercial state in its most vul-
nerable spot, its commerce. It was to be accomplished
by inducing all the states of Europe to close their har-
bors against all English trade. Thus England was to
be deprived of the very source of her prosperity and
to be starved out. This was Napoleon’s well known
Continental System, the most terrible war plan that
has ever arisen in a human mind.
But to carry out this plan Napoleon felt that for a
time he needed a confederate on the Continent. Such
a one he found in Tsar Alexander I of Russia. After
defeating him in the battle of Friedland, he met his
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