Sweden

Sweden is a nation in Northern Europe, bordering between Norway and Finland.

History

Sweden had been a powerful influence in northern Europe for centuries. During the wars against Napoleon, Sweden simultaeneously went to war with Russia, where they lost Finland in 1804, and sided with the coalitions, gaining Norway from Denmark in 1815. Sweden gained French Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte as king in 1818, only for the king to side against Napoleon. This had an impact on Napoleon's eventual downfall.
During the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, Prussia managed to gain the support of Sweden after Austria called upon their alliance with Russia. Being on the victorious side, Sweden regained the territory of Finland. Sweden then began to be known as the United Nordic Kingdom, though remained colloquially known as Sweden. Sweden also gained influence over the recently indepependent Estonia after Prince August, brother of Swedish King Charles XV, as king.
During the Berlin Conference in 1884, Sweden argued for their possession of the Congo. While the other major powers of Europe desired the region as well, it was agreed Sweden would gain it as a compromise.
In 1905, nationalism in Norway came to a boiling point, and the region declared its independence from Sweden. In 1906, Finland similarly gained their independence. Norway elected Haakon of Denmark as king, while Finland elected Heinrich of Prussia.
During the The Great War, Sweden was torn between their friendly relations with Germany and their rivalry with Russia. Eventually, Sweden declared neutrality, though maintained trade with Germany.

Demonym

Swedish