Swedish-Polish wars and relations during the reign of Vasa dynasty in Poland.

         Polish-Lithuanian country named ‘The Commonwealth of Two Nations’ and established as a real union of these two states in 1569 was being reigned for over 50 years by rulers from the Swedish dynasty of Vasas. In this period numerous Polish-Swedish conflicts occurred. What was their reason? Were they necessary? What was the Commonwealth’s capacity in these conflicts - an aggressor or a defender?

         In the time when the Polish throne was first taken by one of Vasa rulers - Sigismund, Poland was at its top. Profitable economic situation concerning grain (which was the base of the economics of  Poland and Lithuania) which lasted through whole the XVI century created Poland as a great economic power in Europe. At that time Poland was almost free from war troubles (thanks to the won war and favourable peace with Russia signed by the previous king - Stefan Bathory, friendly relations with Ottoman Empire (Turkey) and the lack of clash with the Austrian Hapsburgs in the south. Having the surface of over 900000 sq. kilometres Polish-Lithuanian country was inhabited by 8-10 million people.

         At the same time Sweden reigned by John Vasa III was at the dusk of an era of quick development, having its borders from the Sund to the Finnish Gulf and Revel and was aiming to enlarge its influences in the southern shores of the Baltic Sea.

         Sweden had to import the grain from Russia or from Poland because the domestic agriculture was not able to provide for the people’s needs. On the other hand the surplus of the population disposed Sweden to create mighty army and expansion, so the wars with the neighbours were inevitable. Wood and metal ore were exported from Sweden to the west, through the Danish straits, on which the Danish were taking huge exise.  It was the reason of the numerous conflicts, usually expressed by sea wars. However Sweden was inhabited by about 1 million people, which was ten times less than the human resources of Poland. In 1592 John III passed away and left the crown of Sweden to his son - Sigismund, who was crowned in Cracow, Poland in 1594. Thus personal union of Poland and Sweden became a fact. Everything foreshadowed a long-lasting alliance, for which a lot of arguments were for.

         First of all political and economic aims were common for both sides. Poland had huge surplus of farm produce, whereas it was needed in Sweden. Thanks to tighter economic links more dynamic trade conversion without the agency of Dutch merchants and without paying the exise while crossing Danish straits would have been created. Thanks to the powerful Swedish fleet and army Danish monopoly in the Baltic Sea causing the casualties both in Sweden and in Poland could have been broken. Taking the united efforts it would have been possible to make head against Moscovia, which was endeavouring after regaining the Baltic shores and also - force out the German capital gaining wider and wider influence in the Baltic states.

         But it went different. After the return of Sigismund III to Cracow, power in Sweden was taken over by Charles Suderman - uncle of Sigismund - ruling as a regent. He was striving after taking over the crown. That led to build an opposition composed of the lords who were loyal to the king. However this opposition was soon broken and Sigismund’s military interversion was a failure. In 1599 Riksdag (Swedish parliament) announced Sigismund’s dethronement appointing to the throne his four-year-old son Vladislav, provided that he would come to Sweden and would become a Lutheran (official religion in Sweden). Charles was to stay a regent. These conditions couldn’t have been accepted by Sigismund, so the power was soon assumed by Charles Suderman.