France agreed to fund Swedish military intervention in the Thirty Years' War, enabling opposition to Habsburg Austria without direct French combat involvement.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- 23 January 1631
- Annual French payment
- 400,000 Reichsthalers Reichsthalers/year
- Duration of agreement
- Five years
- Swedish army size required
- 36,000 troops troops
- Superseded by
- Treaty of Compiègne, 1635
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Cardinal Richelieu sought to weaken Habsburg Austria without committing French forces directly to the Thirty Years' War. Sweden, under Gustavus Adolphus, was a capable military power willing to intervene in Germany but required financial backing to sustain a large campaign army.
On 23 January 1631, France and Sweden signed the Treaty of Bärwalde. France agreed to pay Sweden 400,000 Reichsthalers annually for five years. In return, Gustavus Adolphus committed to maintaining an army of 36,000 troops to fight against the Habsburgs in the ongoing Thirty Years' War.
Sweden launched a major intervention in Germany backed by French funds. After Gustavus Adolphus died at Lützen in 1632, France continued payments. Following the Swedish defeat at Nördlingen in 1634 and the Treaty of Prague, Richelieu opted for direct intervention, replacing Bärwalde with the Treaty of Compiègne in 1635.
Political Outcome
France committed to annually financing Swedish military operations against the Habsburgs, formalising an alliance that prolonged the Thirty Years' War and shifted its balance against Austria.
Habsburg Austria held a dominant position in the Thirty Years' War with limited organised opposition.
Sweden entered the war with French financial backing, significantly increasing pressure on the Habsburgs.