Swedish Empire
The Swedish Empire in European history, was important between the years 1611 and 1718.  In Swedish it is called "stormaktstiden" meaning "the era of great power").  King Gustavus Adolphus was king from 1611.  Europe was full of political, religious, and military conflicts. The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) and Second Northern War gave Sweden opportunities to expand its influence.