The
Finnish War was fought between
Sweden and
Russia from February
1808 to September
1809. As a result of the war
Finland became an autonomous grand duchy under the Russian tzar.
In the treaty of Tilsit in
1807 Napoleon and the Russian tzar
Alexander I decided that Russia should force Sweden to join the
Continental System.
On
February 21,
1808 Russian troops crossed the border. At the same time southern Sweden was threatened by an attack from Denmark. The plan of the Swedish army under
Johan Adam Cronstedt[?] was to retreat into
Ostrobothnia leaving only the strongly fortified Sveaborg behind. The fort surrendered although there was enough ammunition and food to last several months.
Under a new commander Carl Johan Adlercreutz[?], the Swedish army counter-attacked and halted the Russian offensive at the Battle of Siikajoki[?]. Although the Swedes were successful for a while they didn't receive the reinforcements that were needed.
Adlercreutz fought a defensive battle at Oravais, but lost and was forced to retreat. The day before Georg Carl von Döbeln[?] had won the legendary Battle of Jutas[?].
On November 19 the convention of Olkijoki was signed and the Swedish army was forced to leave Finland.
The Finnish war was finished with the
treaty of Fredrikshamn on
September 17,
1809.
See also: Finnish Civil War, Lands of Sweden, Johan Ludvig Runeberg
The
Winter War is sometimes called the
Russo-Finnish War.