Charles XIV John

Charles XIV John was king of Sweden and Norway from 1818 to 1844. Born Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte, he was a French marshal chosen as Swedish crown prince and founded the Bernadotte dynasty.

Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte: The birth name of Charles XIV John, a French revolutionary general and marshal who became Sweden’s crown prince. His French military career and political connections made him a candidate for Sweden’s throne.
Charles XIII of Sweden: King of Sweden from 1809 to 1818, whose lack of a surviving heir prompted the search for a successor. He adopted Bernadotte as crown prince and was succeeded by him.
Treaty of Kiel: The 1814 treaty in which Denmark ceded Norway to Sweden after the Napoleonic Wars. Its transfer of Norway set the terms for the union Charles helped establish.
Bernadotte dynasty: The royal house founded by Charles XIV John that has occupied Sweden’s throne since 1818. His accession began the dynasty that remains Sweden’s royal house.
Swedish succession crisis of 1809: The crisis after Sweden deposed Gustav IV Adolf and struggled to secure a viable heir. The loss of an heir created the opening for Bernadotte’s election as crown prince.
Napoleon: French military and political leader who ruled as emperor from 1804 to 1814 and again briefly in 1815. Bernadotte served Napoleon but later led Sweden into the coalition against him.
Norwegian campaign of 1814: The brief war between Sweden and Norway that ended with Norway entering a union with Sweden. Charles led Swedish forces in the campaign that compelled negotiations over the union.
Treaty of Stockholm (1813): An agreement through which Britain secured Sweden’s support for the coalition against Napoleon, including recognition of its claim to Norway. It marked Sweden’s alignment against Napoleon and advanced the Norwegian settlement Charles pursued.
Pontecorvo: A principality in southern Italy bestowed on Bernadotte by Napoleon in 1806. The title Prince of Pontecorvo was Bernadotte’s first princely rank before Sweden elected him heir.
Oscar I of Sweden: King of Sweden and Norway from 1844 to 1859, and son and successor of Charles XIV John. His succession continued the dynasty his father established.

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