King Gustav III of Sweden, who in 1772 had reimposed absolutism in Sweden, also tries to alter the verdict of the Great Northern War.

In 1788 Sweden declares war against Russia with the intention of regaining territory along Finland's eastern frontier.

A significant incident during this war is the mutiny of a group of Finnish military officers, the Anjala League, the members of which hope to avert Russian revenge against Finland.

A leading figure in the mutiny is a former colonel in the Swedish army, Goran Sprengtporten.

Most Finnish officers do not support the mutiny, which is promptly put down, but an increasing number of Finns, especially Finnish nobles, are weary of Finland's serving as a battleground between Sweden and Russia.

Because of Russia's simultaneous involvement in a war with the Ottoman Empire, Sweden is able to secure a settlement in 1790 in the Treaty of Varala, which ends the war without altering Finland's boundaries.