The Swedish–Algerian war of 1791–1792 was a brief and inconclusive conflict between Sweden and the Regency of Algiers.[1]
The conflict started in 1791 when Gustav III, King of Sweden, sent a gift to Sidi Hassan, Dey of Algiers. They Dey thought the gift unsatisfactory and felt disrespected.[2][non-primary source needed] As a result, he expelled the Swedish consul, Mathias Skjöldebrand.[3] Because of these actions, on August 15, the dey declared war on Sweden,[3][4] in 1791.[5] The reason for this escalation is unknown, but it is possible that the dey was trying to extort money from the Swedes.[6][7]
After the declaration of war in 1791, Sweden opened diplomatic discussions with Algiers. Swiftly recognizing the need to secure a peaceful resolution, the Swedes demonstrated their commitment by willingly consenting to transfer a substantial sum of 350,000 francs to the dey.[8] This diplomatic accord also included the provision of an annual tribute of 175,000 rixdollars, cementing their commitment to maintain amicable relations with Algiers.[9]
The Swedish-Algerian War of 1791 had a relatively minor impact on both countries,[5] and the war ended quickly with no major battles. Nine years after the war, Sweden declared war on Ottoman Tripolitania (known as the First Barbary War), but it was instead decided to increase the tribute to the Barbary States, as it was cheaper than engage in war.[9]
References
- ^ Müller, Leos (2004). Consuls, Corsairs, and Commerce: The Swedish Consular Service and Long-distance Shipping, 1720-1815. Uppsala universitet. ISBN 978-91-554-6003-7.
- ^ James Anderson (1791). The Bee, Or, Literary Weekly Intelligencer. Vol. 6. p. 20.
- ^ a b H. G. Barnby (1966). The Prisoners of Algiers: An Account of the Forgotten American-Algerian War 1785-1797. Oxford University Press. p. 146.
- ^ Blyth, Stephen Cleveland (1806). History of the War Between the United States and Tripoli, and Other Barbary Powers: To which is Prefixed, a Geographical, Religious, and Political History of the Barbary States in General. Printed at the Salem Gazette Office.
- ^ a b Barnby, H. G. (1966). The Prisoners of Algiers: An Account of the Forgotten American-Algerian War 1785-1797. Oxford U.P.
- ^ Kalman, Julie (2023-11-14). The Kings of Algiers: How Two Jewish Families Shaped the Mediterranean World During the Napoleonic Wars and Beyond. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-23015-3.
- ^ A Guide to the Materials for Swedish Historical Research in Great Britain. Kungl. boktr. P. A. Norstedt. 1958.
- ^ Julie Kalman (2023). The Kings of Algiers. p. 30. ISBN 9780691230153.
- ^ a b Alan G. Jamieson (2013). Lords of the Sea,A History of the Barbary Corsairs. p. 181. ISBN 9781861899460.