Gustaf Otto Douglas facts for kids
Count Gustaf Otto Douglas (born February 23, 1687 – died February 2, 1771) was a Swedish soldier from a Scottish family. He was the grandson of Robert Douglas, a famous count. Gustaf Otto Douglas became a soldier who fought for different countries for pay, also known as a mercenary.
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Early Life and Military Career
Gustaf Otto Douglas was born in 1687. He came from a family with a long history of military service. His grandfather, Robert Douglas, was a well-known figure. Gustaf Otto followed in his family's footsteps, choosing a career as a soldier.
Captured by Russia
During the Great Northern War, a big conflict in Europe, Gustaf Otto Douglas fought for Sweden. However, he was captured by the Russian army. This happened during the Battle of Poltava, where the Swedish troops faced a major defeat. After being captured, he was eventually hired by Peter the Great, the Russian ruler.
Governor of Finland
In 1717, Gustaf Otto Douglas was given a very important job. He was made the General Governor of Finland. At this time, Finland was under Russian control. His main task was to bring order and stability to the region.
Challenges and Policies
As governor, Douglas tried to make sure the local government worked well. However, his way of ruling was very strict. This made him quite unpopular among the Finnish people. Many people feared him because of his tough decisions.
Finland had also suffered greatly from the war. The country faced many problems, including widespread sickness. These illnesses, like the plague, often spread because soldiers moved around a lot. There were also times of great hunger, known as famines.
Moving People for Projects
One of Douglas's notable actions was moving many people from Finland to Russia. He sent thousands of civilians to help with various projects. Some were sent to work on building new cities or roads. Others were asked to join the military.
He even suggested a plan to send about 20,000 Finns to help build Saint Petersburg. This was a huge new city that Peter the Great wanted to create. Douglas believed these people could help with the massive construction work needed.
Later Life
Gustaf Otto Douglas continued his service until his death in 1771. His time as governor of Finland was a complex period. He worked to bring order to a war-torn land. However, his methods were often harsh and left a lasting impact on the people he governed.
