The Saber and Scroll Journal Volume 7, Issue 1, Winter 2018 | Page 9

themselves into units and to rally to the king in times of war. 6 The law served two
purposes: first, it ensured a continuous flow of recruits; and second, it made
military service a decree of the king. Men were fighting for their sovereign, and
refusing to do so was an act of treason. Gustav’s soldiers trained and fought with
modern military techniques and weapons. Infantry and cavalry learned to
coordinate with each other, and soldiers performed drills to act in unison. Strict
discipline prevented disorder within the ranks. 7 Gustav increased the production of
lighter guns and artillery to improve mobility. He wanted his soldiers to be
properly armed to ensure a strong, modernized force. 8 Furthermore, Gustav
wanted to protect Sweden’s interest in the Baltic Sea and coastline, so he built a
well-armed fleet. His fleet, equipped with modern guns, was trained to perform in
coordinated attacks. 9 His military reforms transformed Swedish troops into a
professional fighting force that could protect Sweden’s political and economic
interests. On the downside, the professional military was incredibly expensive to
maintain, and it forced Gustav to explore different ideas for new sources of
revenue. With the homeland secured and in need of income, the Swedish Empire
finally turned to colonization to meet its needs.
New Sweden and Its Problems
Charles IX’s chaotic reign made it impossible for merchants from other
European powers to establish commercial trade with Sweden, but new investment
opportunities blossomed with the emerging imperial power. William Usselinx, a
Flemish merchant who co-founded the Dutch West India Company, wanted to win
the support of Gustav in establishing a trading company. Countries such as
England and the Netherlands developed their economies around the mercantile
system. Over time, their trading systems developed into effective networks that
stimulated commercial activity. Sweden’s economy had no basis for the mercantile
system. Usselinx declared, “All the merchants in Sweden are not so rich as three in
Holland, nor a hundred of the farmers as rich as one there.” 10 He understood
Sweden was an emerging power that needed revenue and had no experience in the
widely used mercantile system.
Gustav granted Usselinx an audience. The merchant proposed that
Sweden establish a trading company that would expand its operations to North
America, Asia, and Africa. He emphasized that the Delaware River region had the
commercial advantages needed for a successful colony, and it would be a suitable
location for a source of revenue. Intrigued, Gustav invited Swedish investors to
contribute to the company based on the idea of spreading Christian doctrine and
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