The Treaty of Fredrikshamn was signed on September 17, 1809, between the Kingdom of Sweden and the Russian Empire. This treaty marked the end of the Finnish War, which had begun in 1808. As a result of the treaty, Sweden ceded the territory of Finland to Russia, which established it as the Grand Duchy of Finland. The treaty significantly altered the political landscape in Northern Europe. It allowed Russia to expand its influence in the region while Sweden lost its status as a major power. The treaty also laid the groundwork for Finland's eventual path toward independence in the early 20th century.