Battle of Poltava, 1709 - Charles XII of Sweden attempts to break Peter the Great's Russian Empire

🚩 After a string of victories, Charles XII of Sweden decided to take the war to Russia. If successful in reducing Peter the Great's army, the Swedes would likely take Russian cities of Pskov, Novgorod, and possibly Arkhangelsk. Charles XII would also likely gain control over Courland and Polish Livonia, as well as becoming protector of Poland. In return Poland would receive territories lost to the Russian in the latter half of the 17th century.

📢 Narrated by David McCallion

🎼 Music:
Epidemic Sounds
Filmstro

🎼 Music:
Song Title: Sinister Dark Ambient Background Music - Dark Rage
Artist: CO.AG Music

Song Title: Background Dark Music | (Download and Royalty FREE)
Artist: Mattia Cupelli

Song Title: The Battle Documentary Music
Artist: CO.AG Music

EpidemicSound
Filmstro

📚 Sources:
Konstam, Angus Poltava 1709: Russia Comes of Age 17 Oct,1994 Osprey Publishing
Englund, Peter The Battle that Shook Europe: Poltava and the Birth of the Russian Empire 15 Apr, 2013 I.B Tauris

#swedishempire #russianempire #history

[HistoryMarche]

🚩 After a string of victories, Charles XII of Sweden decided to take the war to Russia. If successful in reducing Peter the Great's army, the Swedes would likely take Russian cities of Pskov, Novgorod, and possibly Arkhangelsk. Charles XII would also likely gain control over Courland and Polish Livonia, as well as becoming protector of Poland. In return Poland would receive territories lost to the Russian in the latter half of the 17th century.

[TheStrategos]

Charles XII reminds me of Phyrrus of Epirus. An exceptional General who never knew how to exploit his victories into political gains. His incessant war-monging led to his demise.

[Leaffordes]

6:26 Charles XII's invasion of Saxony was so sneaky we didn't even get to see it.

[mvonwalter]

I'm descendent of a surviving Swedish infantryman at Poltava. He lost several brothers there on the field. He was taken to St. Petersburg to work hard labor building the Peter and Paul fortress. Fortunately for me when he was finally released he was young enough to return home and have a family.

[SuksuNa]

Moral of the story. Never fight with anyone named "the great".

[Hillbilly]

Well done HM. Charlie 12 has always fascinated me. This and Narva round out his story well. Although some of his Polish stuff would be nice too. May this comment be a sacrifice to the Algorithm. Cheers from Tennessee

[seryivolk]

18:39 шведы не знали о существовании 4 редутов (вертикали "Т") решение об их строительстве было принято накануне битвы поэтому наличие этих редутов стало неприятным сюрпризом для Карла, но с другой стороны эти редуты не успели построить полностью... Поэтому первые 2 редута взяли достаточно легко, а вот третий редут находился в радиусе досягаемости огня артиллерии из редутов горизонтали " Т" и защитников поддерживал огонь пушек остальных редутов
Автор, историческая неточность: шведам удалось взять только 2 первых редута, остальные устояли... Шведы сумели их обойти по флангам и в промежутке между укреплениями, понеся значительные потери, но взять их не удалось

[nemo]

20:17 first two redoubt was not yet complete when Swedish forces attacked, that's why they heard sounds of working builders at night

[Sanjn]

I love History March videos, great quality and excellent narration.

[fatherofhistory]

On June 1709, at the Battle of Poltava, Peter the Great's strategic defenses and growing Russian resilience thwarted Charles XII's risky attack, marking a turning point in the Great Northern War. This decisive victory ended Sweden's dominance and ushered in Russia's rise as a major power in Eastern Europe.

[ItzBotz]

That day was Crazy dude... Charles XII was so determined

[DamonNomad]

This makes me think of Sabaton's song "Poltava" about the battle and how ruinous it was for the Swedish Empire.

[TrentBattyDrums]

When Historymarche posts a new video, I click. My favorite part of the week!

[indridcold]

This channel deserves well over one million subscribers. One of the best history channels on yt.

[kallecederstrom]

As a swede it’s really nice to see these great wars and battles finally get covered as they are very important but not talked about that much.

[ИосифСталин-лз]

14:00 There were less than 10 thousand Cossacks and civilians in Baturin (citadel was small), how could Menshikov kill 15 thousand? Archaeological research has been carried out in the city many times and in total just few hundred victims of the massacre have been found.

[JalalulDin-bq]

In 1708 and 1709 the plague desolated Sweden Livonia. In 1710 the disease appeared in Sweden; 30, 000 persona perished by it in Stockholm, and other parts of the kingdom did not escape. Historians relate, that in the latter part of the last century and beginning of the present, the sweating sickness and great plague in Sweden destroyed several hundred thousand lives, in consequence of which Sweden is less populous than formerly

[AmirSatt]

9:14 This is the most badass quote imaginable

[РомаКраев-мв]

‎ И перед синими рядами
Своих воинственных дружин,
Несомый верными слугами,
В качалке, бледен, недвижим,
Страдая раной, Карл явился.
Вожди героя шли за ним.
Он в думу тихо погрузился.
Смущенный взор изобразил
Необычайное волненье.
Казалось, Карла приводил
Желанный бой в недоуменье…
Вдруг слабым манием руки
На русских двинул он полки
И с ними царские дружины
Сошлись в дыму среди равнины:
И грянул бой, Полтавской бой!

[marskalkblixten]

Great video as usual! Would love to see more Great Northern War or Spanish Succession videos, maybe Kliszow or Ramillies?