For those interested in history, I recommend this article by Jason Lancaster on CIMSEC about the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801.

It was a naval battle where the British fleet defeated the Danish. The story is fascinating. Greed and poor political decisions had led Denmark into a dilemma between choosing a war with Britain or losing the protective support of Russia that kept Sweden from annexing Norway. Denmark chose the war with Britain, fully aware that they would lose.

It is also a story about how the leadership qualities of state rulers matter. Both Paul I of Russia and Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden were eccentric figures, borderline crazy with a fascination for war and an idea of making their nation great again.