Treaty of Nystadt

The Treaty of Nystad, signed in 1721, brought the Great Northern War to its conclusion after more than two decades of fighting between Sweden and a coalition led by Russia. The war had begun in 1700 as several powers sought to challenge Swedish supremacy in the Baltic, and the tide turned decisively against Sweden after the catastrophic defeat of Charles XII at Poltava in 1709.

Under the terms of the treaty, Russia received the Baltic provinces of Estonia, Livonia, and Ingria, along with part of Karelia and territory in the eastern Baltic. In return Russia paid Sweden a sum of money and restored Finland, which its forces had occupied. These gains gave Russia secure possession of the Baltic coastline it had long sought.

The Treaty of Nystad confirmed the collapse of Sweden's age as a great power and the rise of Russia in its place as the dominant force in the Baltic and northern Europe. The conquered lands secured the position of Russia's new capital, St Petersburg, which Peter the Great had founded on the Baltic. In the wake of the victory, Peter assumed the title of Emperor, proclaiming the Russian Empire.