Treaty of Altranstädt (1707)

The Treaty of Altranstädt, signed on September 1, 1707, in Altranstädt, Saxony, was a significant diplomatic agreement during the Great Northern War (1700-1721). It was negotiated between Charles XII of Sweden, then at the height of his power after victories in Poland, and Emperor Joseph I of the Holy Roman Empire.

The treaty primarily addressed religious and political grievances within Silesia, specifically pertaining to the rights of Protestants in the region. Charles XII, a devout Protestant, used his military leverage to pressure Joseph I, a Catholic emperor, to grant concessions to the Protestant population of Silesia.

Key provisions of the Treaty of Altranstädt included:

• Guaranteed religious freedom for Protestants in Silesia: This included the right to build and maintain churches (often referred to as "churches of grace"), practice their religion freely, and educate their children in their faith.
• Return of confiscated churches: Several churches that had been seized from Protestants by Catholic authorities were ordered to be returned.
• Amnesty for Protestant rebels: Individuals who had participated in uprisings or protests against Catholic rule were granted amnesty.
• Swedish guarantee: Charles XII effectively became the guarantor of Protestant rights in Silesia, retaining the right to intervene if the terms of the treaty were violated.

The treaty had a considerable impact on the religious landscape of Silesia, providing Protestants with a greater degree of religious freedom and autonomy. It also demonstrated the significant influence of Sweden in European politics during the early 18th century. While these concessions were later challenged, the Treaty of Altranstädt stands as a notable example of religious diplomacy enforced by military power. The treaty lost much of its force after Charles XII's defeat at the Battle of Poltava in 1709 and his subsequent decline in power.