NORTHERN WAR, FIRST

n.

(1655–1660) Final stage of the struggle over the Polish-Swedish succession.

In 1655 the Swedish king Charles X Gustav declared war on Poland on the pretext that it refused to recognize him as king. In alliance with Brandenburg, Sweden invaded Poland with initial success, but when Russia, Denmark, and Austria declared war on Sweden, Brandenburg deserted to join the coalition. The Swedes were driven from Poland but later twice invaded Denmark. The war ended with the Polish sovereigns renouncing their claim to the Swedish throne and the Swedes acquiring Skåne from Denmark.