Two monarchs turn strategy into personal policy

The campaign became a collision between two rulers whose personal assumptions distorted state strategy. Gustav IV expected Russia to be defeated in Finland while he preserved crack Swedish regiments for a later conquest of Norway, denying the active theatre forces it badly needed. Alexander I had already moved from coalition warfare against Napoleon to alliance at Tilsit, the Continental System, and war with Britain and Sweden. Capable subordinate generals could not compensate for war aims and alliance choices set at the top.