Internal Changes and External Threats, 1810–12

Abstract

The government in Copenhagen could breathe a sigh of relief when the peace treaty between Denmark-Norway and Sweden was signed at Jönköping on 10 December 1809. Moreover, the election of Prince Christian August as the heir to the Swedish throne promised more harmonious relations between Sweden and Denmark-Norway in the future. At the same time Sweden was gravitating towards France, suggesting that the Scandinavian countries would soon find themselves on the same side of the great conflict between Napoleon and Great Britain. The licensed trade with Great Britain was also warmly welcomed by the Danish-Norwegian government, as it would help to remedy the worst effects of the war with the British. For a while, the peace with Sweden and the licensed trade provided the Danish-Norwegian state with desperately needed respite and the opportunity to heal the wounds of war as well as to breathe new life into trade and financial life across the state.