User:Lord Cornwallis/Russo-Danish War

The Russo-Danish conflict took place during 1762 when Russia and Denmark came into conflict obstensibly over the territory of Holstein. The dispute was triggered by the succession of Peter III in Russia who intended to implement anti-Danish policies.

both sides mobillised their fleets and sent forces into northern Germany before Peter was unexpectedly overthrown by his wife Catherine the Great and her supporters. The new ruler dramatically shifted Russia's policies, and the dispute was resolved without any major fighting taking place.

Background
Since 1756 the Seven Years War had been fought across Europe. Russia had joined several states including Austria and France against Prussia. The alliance enjoyed mixed fortunes --. By early 1762 Russia and its allies seemed on the verge of finally overwhelming Prussia, when Elizabeth died. This brought her nephew Peter III to the throne. Peter had been born in Germany and held the title of Duke of Holstein. He had developed an admiration for Prussia, and Frederick the Great in person, and he immediatly withdrew Russia from the anti-Prussian coallition and entered into negotiations with Frederick for a military alliance. This in turn prompted Sweden to also drop out of the war against Prussia following the Treaty of Hamburg.

Conflict
Denmark searched for assistance amongst other states, such as Britain and France, but with the ongoing war few were in any position to -- and none wanted to antagonise the new Russian Tsar. Britain in particular

Occupation of Hambug
In their need to raise money

the Danes

Fall of Peter III
Many of his military, economic and social reforms had made him deeply unpopular with the Russian aristocracy, who dominated the armed forces. Peter showed a marked preference for German

Although Catherine  there were lasting suspicions that she had some involvement in the death.

Aftermath
The new regime led by Catherine the Great was later able to resolve the dispute by exchanging Holstein for the County of Oldenburg in 1773.