Great Famine of Estonia (1695-1697)

The Great Famine of Estonia (also "The great starvation") killed about a fifth of Estonian population (70 000 – 75 000 people) in two years.

Climate was unfavorable for crops in 1694; summer of 1695 was cold and rainy, followed by an early autumn frost that destroyed the summer crops. Cold conditions continued during 1696, and rain fell throughout the summer. Peasants, orphans and the elderly began to die en masse of starvation. Melting of snow in spring 1697 revealed many corpses. Meanwhile, rich landlords and merchants exported grain to Finland and Sweden, where crops also had failed. About a fifth of Estonian population (70,000 to 75,000 people) died during the famine in Swedish Estonia, which did not end until 1698.

References

* [http://www.estonica.org/eng/lugu.html?menyy_id=95&kateg=43&alam=61&leht=4 1558–1710. Estonia under Swedish rule - Population]