Sweden to invade Brandenburg

In 1674, Louis XIV called upon Sweden to invade Brandenburg. In May 1675, a Swedish army advanced into the Mark, but on June 18 was defeated at Fehrbellin, and retreated to Swedish Demmin. The Fehrbellin affair was a mere skirmish, with actual casualties amounting to fewer than 600 men, but it made Sweden appear vulnerable and enabled neighbouring countries to attack in the Scanian War. At this point, the empire began to crumble. In 1675, Swedish Pomerania and the Duchy of Bremen were taken by the Brandenburgers, Austrians, and Danes. In December 1677, the elector of Brandenburg captured Stettin. Stralsund fell on October 15, 1678. Greifswald, Sweden’s last possession on the continent, was lost on November 5. A defensive alliance with John III of Poland, was rendered inoperative on August 4, 1677 by the annihilation of Sweden’s sea-power, the Battle of Öland, June 17, 1676.