Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XVII. Reign of Gustavus IV Adolphus, 1792–1809 - B. The French Revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte - C. The Finnish War, 1808–1809
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The Finnish War 305
vanquished foe at Tilsit, in 1807, and surprised him
with an offer of an alliance and a division of Europe
between them. The lure was especially Turkey with
Constantinople, the goal of Russia’s proudest dreams
for centuries. As yet, however, Napoleon was not ready
to allow Russia a free hand with Turkey. It was in
fact his secret plan to have a hand in the partition of
Turkey to secure the chief parts for himself. For this
enterprise he was not yet prepared. He must first
thoroughly subdue Spain. In the mean time he had to
satisfy Russia’s land-hunger. For this Sweden seemed
a suitable victim. Its king was Napoleon’s persistent
enemy and had refused to join the Continental System.
The Swedish king could conveniently be punished with
the* loss of Finland. Denmark was to be compelled to
assist Russia in the attack on Sweden.
While Russia was thus engaged in swallowing this
morsel in the far North, Napoleon would find time to
settle his affairs in Spain. While thus setting Russia
against Finland, Napoleon was working to carry out
his plan against England, a chief part of his world-
embracing policy.
C. THE FINNISH WAR, 1808-1809
The Outbreak of the War. Without any declaration
of war or sign of warning, the Russian army crossed
the southeastern border of Finland in February, 1808.
A few days before, the Swedish minister in St. Peters-
burg had asked the tsar what was the object of the
mobilization of Russian troops on the Finnish border,
and the tsar had replied that it did not in any way
concern Finland. "God is my witness," he declared,
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