ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the political and diplomatic significance of Louisa Ulrika's marriage to the crown prince of Sweden. It highlights not only the complex European diplomatic situation of the eighteenth century but also sheds light on the domestic political setting in both Sweden and Prussia. The chapter describes the context in which Louisa Ulrika was born and raised. It devotes to a close and concise examination of the rise of Prussia in the late Middle Ages and the early modern period, thus providing key elements with which to assess Louisa Ulrika's background and the dynastic legacy she inherited. The chapter moves on to Louisa Ulrika's education and upbringing, which prepared her for such a union and destiny. It explores how the negotiations for her marriage took place and what was at stake with this marital union. The chapter is devoted to early modern European relations and diplomacy, critical elements in assessing the significance of dynastic marriages.
