Flattering Alliances ─ Scandinavia, Diplomacy, and the Austrian-French Balance of Power, 1648-1740

Taking a fresh look at the history of diplomacy, this book looks at the fight for hegemony between France and Austria after the Peace of Westphalia 1648, showing how their clashes dragged the Scandinavian kingdoms into European top-level politics and forced them to take part in the play, constantly negotiating risks and profits. Historians Peter Lindstrom and Svante Norrhem discuss how the Great Powers were binding allies to their side, and how the Scandinavian countries and their political elites responded. Many of the diplomatic strategies were solidified through family alliances, patronage, and economic politics—something quite different from what is expected from today’s diplomatic neutralities.

Peter Lindstrom is a lecturer and assistant professor of history in the department of historical, philosophical, and religious studies at Umea University. His main area of study is Swedish and European politics in the early modern period. Svante Norrhem is a professor of history in the department of historical, philosophical, and religious studies at Umea University. His main area of study is early modern political culture, gender, and the history of sexuality.