The Prussian case in the Treaty of Oliwa of 3 May, 1660,
Part 1. The end of hostilities and Brandenburg’s preparations for peace
negotiations (1657–1659 / 1660)
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Akademia Ekonomiczno-Humanistyczna w Warszawie
Online publication date: 2018-04-05
Publication date: 2018-04-06
KMW 2018;299(1):57-76
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ABSTRACT
The conclusion of treaties by the Republic of Poland and the Elector of Brandenburg in Welawa and
Bydgoszcz in 1657 was a turning point in the Polish-Swedish war, begun in 1655. The elector of Brandenburg,
Frederick Wilhelm, joined the anti-Swedish coalition in exchange for exemption from subordination to Prussia.
Conducting a prudent and balanced policy, he aimed to increase his political position through both military
participation and diplomatic efforts. The goal of Frederick Wilhelm’s policy was to achieve the greatest possible
benefits in the ongoing war, including acquiring territorial gains. Faced with efforts to conclude a general peace
that would end the war, at the same time opening the way towards creating a new political order in the central
and northern part of Europe, Elector Frederick Wilhelm, who gained the position of a party to the conflict, made
his own proposals for peace negotiations planned in Oliwa. Among Brandenburg’s postulates was, amongst other
things, the issue of extending the provisions of treaties concluded in 1657 with Poland in Welawa and Bydgoszcz,
which would also create international guarantees for them.