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85-707: The Mälaren Valley, which never has been defined as an official region, has throughout Swedish history instead been shared by several provinces — Uppland , Södermanland , Västmanland , and Närke — and, in modern times, by several counties — Stockholm , Uppsala , Södermanland , Örebro , and Västmanland . In most cases, the Lake Hjälmaren region is included into the Mälaren Valley Region, if nothing else, for historical and cultural reasons. Notwithstanding this, most people in Sweden will have

170-510: A Grand Duchy and thus was officially ruled by the Tsar of Russia though it was not strictly part of Russia. Humanitarian aid from England did not succeed in preventing Sweden from adopting more Napoleon-friendly policies after the Swedish coup d'état in 1809. In 1810, French Marshal Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte , one of Napoleon's top generals, was elected as Charles XIV John of Sweden (1818–44) by

255-674: A civilian government controlled by the Riksdag. A new " Age of Freedom " opened, and the economy was rebuilt, supported by large exports of iron and lumber to Britain. The Riksdag developed into an active parliament. This tradition continued into the nineteenth century, laying the basis for the transition towards a modern democracy. The reign of Charles XII (1697–1718) has stirred up great controversy. Historians have puzzled over why this military genius overreached and greatly weakened Sweden. Although most early-19th-century historians tended to follow Voltaire 's lead in bestowing extravagant praise on

340-469: A clear notion of what characterises the Mälaren Valley, while few of them will be able to define what those characteristics are more precisely. Arguably, this is because the region is not only homogeneous and has been so for many centuries, but also have had a tremendous influence on shared Swedish history and therefore never had to define its symbols or accentuate its distinctive features. During

425-554: A great power by taking direct control of the Baltic region, which was Europe's main source of grain, iron, copper, timber, tar, hemp, and furs. Sweden had first gained a foothold on territory outside its traditional provinces in 1561, when Estonia opted for vassalage to Sweden during the Livonian War . While, in 1590, Sweden had to cede Ingria and Kexholm to Russia, and Sigismund tried to incorporate Swedish Estonia into

510-625: A liberal/right-wing coalition to power. During the Cold War, Sweden remained neutral. The neutrality policy was dropped in 2022, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine , and Sweden formally became a member of NATO in March 2024. Chronological history Sweden has a large number of petroglyphs ( hällristningar in Swedish), with the highest concentration in the province of Bohuslän and

595-785: A much smaller geographical area around Stockholm and Mälaren proper. 59°30′N 16°45′E  /  59.5°N 16.75°E  / 59.5; 16.75 History of Sweden The history of Sweden can be traced back to the melting of the Northern Polar Ice Caps . From as early as 12000 BC, humans have inhabited this area. Throughout the Stone Age , between 8000 BC and 6000 BC, early inhabitants used stone-crafting methods to make tools and weapons for hunting, gathering and fishing as means of survival. Written sources about Sweden before AD 1000 are rare and short, usually written by outsiders. It

680-547: A new rebellion and eventually was crowned King in 1523. His reign proved lasting and marked the end of Sweden's participation in the Kalmar Union. Gustav Vasa furthermore encouraged Protestant preachers, finally breaking with the papacy and establishing the Lutheran Church in Sweden, seizing Catholic Church property and wealth. During the 17th century, after winning wars against Denmark–Norway , Russia , and

765-541: A papal interdict , but, when apologising to the Pope for the decapitation of the bishops, he blamed his troops for performing unauthorised acts of vengeance . Gustav Vasa was a son of Erik Johansson , one of the victims of the executions. Vasa, upon hearing of the massacre, travelled north to the province of Dalarna to seek support for a new revolt. The population, informed of what had happened, rallied to his side. They were ultimately able to defeat Christian's forces in

850-463: A proposal for retreat that was very advantageous for the Swedes. During a meeting on what is thought to be Beckholmen, outside of Djurgården , Christian swore that all acts against him would be forgotten, and gave pardon to several named persons (including Gustav Vasa , who had escaped from Denmark, where he had been held hostage). Lady Kristina would be given Hörningsholm and all Mörkön as a fief , and

935-421: A secret alliance was formed between Denmark–Norway, Poland–Lithuania, and Russia against Sweden. This coalition acted at the start of the 18th century when Denmark–Norway and Poland launched surprise attacks on Sweden. In 1721, Russia and its allies won the war against Sweden. As a result, Russia was able to annex the Swedish territories of Estonia , Livonia , Ingria , and Karelia . This effectively put an end to

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1020-490: Is no direct evidence of Orthodox influence. Around the year 1000, Olof Skötkonung became the first known king to rule both Svealand and Götaland . Historical details about early medieval kings are obscure, and even the dates of their reigning periods remain unclear. In the 12th century, Sweden was still undergoing dynastic struggles between the Erik and Sverker clans. Svealand and the Swedes were usually more supportive of

1105-719: Is often difficult to distinguish from dialects spoken around Lake Mälaren. One of the distinctive features of the region is its many large mansions — one of the finest surviving examples, the World Heritage Site Engelsberg Ironworks in the north-west corner of the region, is thought of as representative for Sweden in general. Larger cities outside Greater Stockholm include Uppsala (population: 165,456), Västerås (128,534), Örebro (126,009), Södertälje (75,773) and Eskilstuna (70,342). As of 31 December 2020 more than 3.6 million people lived in this region, which may also be confined to

1190-561: Is retained in the present day. It is a common misconception in Sweden that King Christian II is given the contrary byname Christian den Gode ( Christian the Good ) in Denmark, but this is apocryphal . According to Danish historians, no bynames have been given to Christian II in Danish historical tradition. In an interview with Richardson in 1979, Danish historian Mikael Venge , author of

1275-399: Is usually accepted that Swedish recorded history, in contrast with pre-history, starts around the late 10th century, when sources are common enough that they can be contrasted with each other. The modern Swedish state was formed over a long period of unification and consolidation. Historians have set different standards for when it can be considered complete. Some common laws were present from

1360-661: The Duchy of Livonia , Sweden gradually expanded at the eastern Baltic during the following years. In a series of Polish–Swedish War (1600–1629) and the Russo-Swedish Ingrian War , Gustavus Adolphus retook Ingria and Kexholm (formally ceded in the Treaty of Stolbovo , 1617) as well as the bulk of Livonia (formally ceded in the Treaty of Altmark , 1629). Sweden's role in the Thirty Years' War determined

1445-539: The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth , Sweden emerged as a great power by taking direct control of the Baltic region. Sweden's role in the Thirty Years' War determined the political and religious balance of power in Europe. The Swedish Empire expanded enormously into the modern Estonia and Latvia, northern Germany, and several regions that to this day are part of Sweden. Before the end of the 17th century,

1530-749: The Protestant Reformation to curb the power of the church and was crowned as King Gustavus I in 1523. In 1527, he persuaded the Riksdag of Västerås (comprising the nobles, clergy, burghers, and freehold peasants) to confiscate church lands, which comprised 21% of the farmland. Gustavus took the Lutheran reformers under his protection and appointed his men as bishops. Gustavus suppressed aristocratic opposition to his ecclesiastical policies and efforts at centralization. Tax reforms took place in 1538 and 1558, whereby multiple complex taxes on independent farmers were simplified and standardized throughout

1615-556: The Swedish War of Liberation . The massacre became the catalyst that permanently separated Sweden from Denmark. The Stockholm Bloodbath precipitated a lengthy hostility towards Danes in Sweden, and from then on the two nations were almost continuously hostile toward each other. These hostilities, developing into a struggle for hegemony in the Scandinavian and North German area, lasted for nearly three hundred years. Memory of

1700-466: The Bloodbath served to let Swedes depict themselves (and often, actually regard themselves) as the wronged and aggrieved party, even when they were the ones who eventually took the political and military lead, such as the conquest and annexation of Scania until the Treaty of Roskilde in 1658. The event earned Christian II the nickname of Kristian Tyrann ( Christian [the] Tyrant ) in Sweden, which

1785-561: The Erik clan and founded the Bjälbo dynasty. This dynasty gradually consolidated Sweden to a strong state. During the early Middle Ages, the Swedish kingdom also expanded to control Norrland and Finland . This expansion sparked tension with the Russian states, a tension that was to continue throughout Swedish history. In 1319, Sweden and Norway were united under King Magnus Eriksson , who

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1870-512: The Erik dynasty and Götaland and Geats more supportive of the Sverker dynasty, which wanted friendlier relations with Denmark. This further divided the country between parties because the ruler was not clear. The country elected their king from each district by selecting 12 people from the local nobles, who then elected the king at the Stones of Mora . The divide ended when a third clan married into

1955-597: The Germans travel in the country. Post-war prosperity provided the foundations for the social welfare policies characteristic of modern Sweden. During World War II , Sweden once again remained neutral, avoiding the fate of occupied Norway. The country attempted to stay out of alliances and remain officially neutral during the entire Cold War , and declined to join NATO . The social democratic party held government for 44 years (1932–1976). The 1976 parliamentary elections brought

2040-537: The Muslim world ( Serkland ). The large Russian mainland and its many navigable rivers offered good prospects for merchandise and plundering. During the 9th century, extensive Scandinavian settlements began on the east side of the Baltic Sea . The conversion from Norse paganism to Christianity was a complex, gradual, and at times violent (see Temple at Uppsala ) process. The main early source of religious influence

2125-495: The Riksdag. He had a Jacobin background and was well-grounded in revolutionary principles, but put Sweden in the coalition that opposed Napoleon. In 1813, his forces joined the allies against Napoleon and defeated the Danes at Bornhöved . In the Treaty of Kiel , Denmark ceded mainland Norway to the Swedish king. Norway, however, declared its independence , adopted a constitution and chose a new king. Sweden invaded Norway to enforce

2210-537: The Second Chamber of the Riksdag maintained a conservative view, but their decline after 1900 gradually ended opposition to full suffrage. Religion maintained a major role but public school religious education changed from the drill in the Lutheran catechism to biblical-ethical studies. Sweden was neutral in World War I , although the Swedish government was sympathetic to both sides at different times during

2295-805: The Southern coast of the Baltic. Sweden came out of the Scanian War with only minor losses largely due to France forcing Sweden's adversaries into the treaties of Fontainebleau (1679) (confirmed at Lund ) and Saint-Germain (1679) . The following period of peace allowed Charles XI of Sweden to reform and stabilise the realm. He consolidated the finances of the Crown by the great reduction of 1680 ; further changes were made in finance, commerce, national maritime and land armaments, judicial procedure, church government and education. Russia, Saxony–Poland, and Denmark–Norway pooled their power in 1700 and attacked

2380-467: The Sture party and thus potential opponents of the Danish kings. At noon, the anti-unionist bishops of Skara and Strängnäs were led out into the great square and beheaded . Fourteen noblemen, three burgomasters , fourteen town councillors and about twenty common citizens of Stockholm were then hanged or beheaded. The executions continued throughout the following day (10 November). According to

2465-440: The Swedes were merchant seamen well known for their far-reaching trade. During the 11th and 12th centuries, Sweden gradually became a unified Christian kingdom that later included Finland. Until 1060, the kings of Uppsala ruled most of modern Sweden except for the southern and western coastal regions, which remained under Danish rule until the 17th century. After a century of civil wars, a new royal family emerged, which strengthened

2550-618: The Swedish Empire, and crippled her Baltic Sea power. Sweden joined in the Enlightenment culture of the day in the arts, architecture, science, and learning. Between 1570 and 1800, Sweden experienced two periods of urban expansion. Finland was lost to Russia in a war in 1808–1809. In the early 19th century, Finland and the remaining territories outside the Scandinavian Peninsula were lost. Sweden's last war

2635-653: The Swedish Empire. Although the young Swedish King Charles XII (1682–1718; reigned 1697–1718) won spectacular victories in the early years of the Great Northern War , most notably in the stunning success against the Russians at the Battle of Narva (1700) , his plan to attack Moscow and force Russia into peace proved too ambitious. The Russians won decisively at the Battle of Poltava in June 1709, capturing much of

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2720-604: The Union of Kalmar and laying the foundation for modern Sweden. At the same time, he broke with the papacy and established the Lutheran Church in Sweden. The Union's final disintegration in the early 16th century brought on a long-lived rivalry between Norway and Denmark on one side and Sweden on the other. The Catholic bishops had supported the Danish King Christian II , but he was overthrown by Gustavus Vasa , and Sweden became independent again. Gustavus used

2805-472: The army, which in 1810 decided to bring in one of Napoleon's marshals, Jean Bernadotte, as the heir apparent. Sweden experimented briefly with overseas colonies, including " New Sweden " in Colonial America and the " Swedish Gold Coast " in present-day Ghana , which began in the 1630s. Sweden purchased the small Caribbean island of Saint Barthélemy from France in 1784, then sold it back in 1878;

2890-401: The chief executioner, Jörgen Homuth, 82 people were executed. It has been claimed that Christian also took revenge on Sten Sture's body, having it dug up and burnt, as well as the body of his child. Sture's widow Lady Kristina and many other noblewomen were taken as prisoners to Denmark. Christian justified the massacre in a proclamation to the Swedish people as a measure necessary to avoid

2975-594: The conflict, even briefly occupying the Åland islands jointly with the Germans. At first, the Swedish government flirted with the possibility of changing their neutral stance to side with the Central Powers , and made concessions to them including mining the Öresund straits to close them to Allied warships wishing to enter the Baltic. Later the Swedish signed agreements allowing trade with the Allied powers and limiting trade with Central Powers, though this brought about

3060-479: The country from 1739 to 1765; they engaged in wars in 1741, 1757, Russian influence grew in Sweden after the war in 1741 which greatly affected politics in the Swedish realm (though much of this influence was lost in 1790 as a result of the Russo-Swedish war of 1788–1790). Sweden joined in the Enlightenment culture of the day in the arts, architecture, science, and learning. A new law in 1766 established for

3145-499: The country was prosperous, although rampant alcoholism was a growing social problem. Gustav III weakened the nobility and promoted numerous major social reforms. He felt the Swedish monarchy could survive and flourish by achieving a coalition with the newly emerged middle classes against the nobility. He personally disliked the French Revolution but decided to promote additional anti-feudal reforms to strengthen his hand among

3230-495: The country's culture. A growing awareness of strong national sentiments and an appreciation of natural resources led to the creation of the Swedish Ski Association in 1892 in order to combine nature, leisure, and nationalism. The organization focused its efforts on patriotic, militaristic, heroic, and environmental Swedish traditions as they relate to ski sports and outdoor life. With a broader voting franchise,

3315-455: The death rate trend diverged, however, leading to increased excess male mortality during the first half of the century. There were very high rates of infant and child mortality before 1800. Among infants and children between the ages of one and four, smallpox peaked as a cause of death in the 1770–1780s and declined afterward. Mortality also peaked during this period due to other air-, food-, and waterborne diseases, but these declined as well during

3400-650: The demolition of Almarestäket's fortress , questioned whether the former Swedish regent Sten Sture the Younger and his supporters had been guilty of heresy . Supported by canon law , nearly 100 people were executed in the days following the meeting despite promises of amnesty. Among those killed were many people from the aristocracy who had been supporting the Sture Party in the previous years. Thereafter King Christian II became known in Sweden as Kristian Tyrann ("Christian [the] Tyrant"). The Stockholm Bloodbath

3485-499: The district; tax assessments per farm were adjusted to reflect an ability to pay. Crown tax revenues increased, but more importantly, the new system was perceived as fairer and more acceptable. A war with Luebeck in 1535 resulted in the expulsion of the Hanseatic traders , who previously had had a monopoly of foreign trade. With its own businessmen in charge, Sweden's economic strength grew rapidly, and by 1544 Gustavus controlled 60% of

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3570-499: The early 19th century. The decline of several diseases during this time created a more favorable environment that increased children's resistance to disease and dramatically lowered child mortality. The introduction of compulsory gymnastics in Swedish schools in 1880 rested partly on a long tradition, from Renaissance humanism to the Enlightenment, of the importance of physical as well as intellectual training. More immediately,

3655-552: The early development of Swedish democracy. Sweden's socialist leaders chose a moderate, reformist political course with broad-based public support. This helped Sweden avoid the severe extremist challenges and political and class divisions that plagued many European countries that attempted to develop social democratic systems after 1911. By dealing early, cooperatively, and effectively with the challenges of industrialization and its impact on Swedish social, political, and economic structures, Swedish social democrats were able to create one of

3740-746: The eastern half of which was already occupied by Russia. The rapid Swedish advance became known in Poland as the Swedish Deluge. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania became a Swedish fief, the Polish–Lithuanian regular armies surrendered and the Polish King John II Casimir Vasa fled to the Habsburgs. The Deluge lasted for five years and took a great toll on Poland and Lithuania, with some historians crediting this invasion as

3825-575: The exhausted Swedish army. Charles XII and the remnants of his army were cut off from Sweden and fled south into Ottoman territory, where he remained three years. He overstayed his welcome, refusing to leave until the Ottoman Empire joined him in a new war against Tsar Peter I of Russia. He established a powerful political network in Constantinople, which included even the mother of the sultan. Charles's persistence worked, as Peter's army

3910-600: The fall of the government of Hjalmar Hammarskjöld . During the First World War and the 1920s, its industries expanded to meet the European demand for Swedish steel, ball bearings , wood pulp, and matches. Post-war prosperity provided the foundations for the social welfare policies characteristic of modern Sweden. Sweden created a successful model of social democracy because of the unique way in which Sweden's labor leaders, politicians, and classes cooperated during

3995-418: The farmlands in all of Sweden. Sweden now built the first modern army in Europe, supported by a sophisticated tax system and government bureaucracy. Gustavus proclaimed the Swedish crown hereditary and the house of Vasa ruled Sweden (1523–1654) and Poland (1587–1668). During the 16th and 17th centuries, the kings demanded ever increasing taxes and military conscription, emphasizing the need for defense. However

4080-586: The first stage of the Industrial Revolution reached Sweden. This first take-off was founded on rural forges, textile proto-industries and sawmills. The popularity of Charles XIV decreased for a time in the 1830s, culminating in the Rabulist riots in 1838 after the Lèse-majesté conviction of the journalist Magnus Jacob Crusenstolpe , and some calls for his abdication. The 19th century

4165-467: The first time the principle of freedom of the press, a notable step towards liberty of political opinion. The Academy of Science was founded in 1739 and the Academy of Letters, History, and Antiquities in 1753. The outstanding cultural leader was Carl Linnaeus (1707–78), whose work in biology and ethnography had a major impact on European science. Following half a century of parliamentary domination came

4250-479: The following century, a series of rebellions lessened Sweden's ties to the union, sometimes even leading to the election of a separate Swedish king. The fighting reached a climax following the Stockholm Bloodbath in 1520, a mass execution of accused heretics orchestrated by Christian II of Denmark . One of the few members of the most powerful noble families not present, Gustav Vasa , was able to raise

4335-478: The foundation of a number of small new towns. The second period of urban growth began around 1750 in response to shifts in Swedish trade patterns from the Baltic to the North Atlantic. It was characterised by increasing populations in the small towns of the north and west. Finland was lost to Russia in a war that lasted from February 1808 to September 1809. As a result of the peace agreement, Finland became

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4420-574: The higher productivity of American industry, this stimulating faster modernization. In 1873, Sweden and Denmark formed the Scandinavian Monetary Union . The late 19th century saw the emergence of an opposition press, the abolition of guild monopolies on craftsmen and the reform of taxation. Two years of military service was made compulsory for young men although there was no warfare. The steady decline of death rates in Sweden began about 1810. For men and women of working age,

4505-407: The king's guests were imprisoned. All these people had previously been marked down on Archbishop Trolle's proscription list. The following day, 9 November, a council, headed by Archbishop Trolle, sentenced the proscribed to death for being heretics ; the main point of accusation was their having united in a pact to depose Trolle a few years earlier. However, many of them were also leading men of

4590-682: The lands of the eastern Danish provinces for 6500 kg of silver, which included Scania . After the Black Death and internal power struggles in Sweden, Queen Margaret I of Denmark (the former daughter-in-law of King Magnus Eriksson) united the Nordic countries in the Union of Kalmar in 1397, with the approval of the Swedish nobility . In the 16th century, Gustav Vasa (1496-1560) fought for an independent Sweden, crushing an attempt to restore

4675-475: The late 19th and early 20th centuries when modern Swedish nationalism evolved, traits conceived as typical Swedish were more often than not characteristics of the Mälaren Valley. For example, the Falu red cottage with white corners, often iterated as a traditional Swedish building style, is common in the Mälaren Valley, but would stand out on the Swedish west coast. Similarly, what is referred to as Standard Swedish

4760-414: The middle classes. After Gustav made war on Russia and did poorly, he was assassinated by a conspiracy of nobles who were angry that he tried to restrict their privileges for the benefit of the peasants. Under the successor, King Gustav IV , Sweden joined various coalitions against Napoleon but was badly defeated and lost much of its territory, especially Finland and Pomerania. The king was overthrown by

4845-451: The money and manpower were used for offensive warfare. Indeed, when there seemed to be a real threat of invasion in 1655–1660, King Charles X Gustav asked the people to give more and to manage their own defences. Finally a balance was reached that provided a well supplied aggressive foreign policy. During the 17th century, after winning wars against Denmark, Russia, and Poland, Sweden (with scarcely more than 1 million inhabitants) emerged as

4930-847: The most successful social democratic systems in the world, including both a welfare state and extensive protections of civil liberties. When the Social Democratic Party came into power in 1932, its leaders introduced a new political decision-making process, which later became known as "the Swedish model" or the Folkhemmet ( The People's Home ). The party took a central role, but tried as far as possible to base its policy on mutual understanding and compromise. Different interest groups were always involved in official committees that preceded government decisions. Stockholm Bloodbath The Stockholm Bloodbath ( Swedish : Stockholms blodbad ; Danish : Det Stockholmske Blodbad )

5015-583: The nation saw the emergence of three major party groups – Social Democrat , Liberal , and Conservative . The parties debated further expansion of the voting franchise. The Liberal Party, based on the middle class, put forth in 1907 a program for local voting rights later accepted in the Riksdag. The majority of Liberals wanted to require some property ownership before a man could vote, while the Social Democrats called for total male suffrage without property limitations. The strong farmer representation in

5100-440: The north, Sweden was invaded by its enemies; Charles returned home in 1714, too late to restore his lost empire and impoverished homeland; he died in 1718. In the subsequent peace treaties, the allied powers, joined by Russia and Great Britain-Hanover, ended Sweden's reign as a great power. Russia now dominated the north. The war-weary Riksdag asserted new powers and reduced the crown to a constitutional monarchy, with power held by

5185-506: The northern part of the county of Kalmar , also called " Tjust ". The earliest images can be found in the province of Jämtland , dating from 5000 BC. They depict wild animals such as elk, reindeer, bears and seals. 2300–500 BC was the most intensive carving period , with carvings of agriculture, warfare, ships, domesticated animals, etc. Petroglyphs with themes have also been found in Bohuslän , dating from 800 to 500 BC. For centuries,

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5270-616: The political as well as the religious balance of power in Europe. From bridgeheads in Stralsund (1628) and Pomerania (1630) , the Swedish army advanced to the south of the Holy Roman Empire , and in a side theater of the war deprived Denmark–Norway of Danish Estonia , Jämtland , Gotland , Halland , Härjedalen , Idre and Särna , became exempt from the Sound Dues , and established claims to Bremen-Verden , all of which

5355-550: The population had included slaves until they were freed by the Swedish government in 1847. Between 1570 and 1800, Sweden experienced two periods of urban expansion, c. 1580–1690 and in the mid-18th century, separated by relative stagnation from the 1690s to about 1720. The initial phase was the more active, including an increase in the percentage of urban dwellers in Stockholm – a pattern comparable to increasing urban populations in other European capital and port cities – as well as

5440-468: The power of the crown at the expense of the nobility, while giving the nobles privileges such as exemption from taxation in exchange for military service. Sweden never had a fully developed feudal system , and its peasants were never reduced to serfdom . The Vikings from Sweden partly took part in the raids of the Western and Southern regions of Europe, but mainly traveled east to Russia, Constantinople and

5525-508: The promotion of gymnastics as a scientifically sound form of physical discipline coincided with the introduction of conscription, which gave the state a strong interest in educating children physically as well as mentally for the role of citizen soldiers. Skiing is a major recreation in Sweden and its ideological, functional, ecological, and social impact has been great on Swedish nationalism and consciousness. Swedes perceived skiing as virtuous, masculine, heroic, in harmony with nature, and part of

5610-470: The reaction from the monarchy. King Gustav III (1746–1792) came to the throne in 1771, and in 1772 led a coup d'état, with French support, that established him as an "enlightened despot", who ruled at will. The Age of Freedom and party politics was over. Precocious and well-educated, he became a patron of the arts and music. His edicts reformed the bureaucracy, repaired the currency, expanded trade, and improved defense. The population had reached two million and

5695-423: The same time , transformed from a stagnant rural society to a vibrant industrial society between the 1860s and 1910. The agricultural economy shifted gradually from a communal village to a more efficient private farm-based agriculture. There was less need for manual labor on the farm so many went to the cities and a million Swedes emigrated to the United States between 1850 and 1890. Many returned and brought word of

5780-406: The second half of the 13th century. At this time, Sweden consisted of most of what is today the southern part of the country (except for Scania , Blekinge , Halland and Bohuslän ), as well as parts of modern Finland . Over the following centuries, Swedish influence would expand into the North and East. In the late 14th century Sweden, Denmark and Norway were united in the Kalmar Union . During

5865-434: The start of the downfall of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The country was devastated, treasures stolen, and insurmountable loss of lives occurred. Sweden was able to establish control of the Eastern bank of the Sound , formalised in the Treaty of Roskilde (1658), and gain recognition of her southeastern dominions by the European great powers in the Treaty of Oliva (1660); but Sweden was barred from further expansion at

5950-478: The terms of the Kiel treaty in the last war Sweden has fought. After brief fighting , the peace established a personal union between the two states. Even though they shared the same king, Norway was largely independent of Sweden, except Sweden controlled foreign affairs. The king's rule was not well received and when Sweden refused to allow Norway to have its own diplomats, Norway rejected the King of Sweden in 1905 and selected its own king. During Charles XIV's reign,

6035-446: The warrior-king, others have criticised him as a fanatic, a bully, and a bloodthirsty warmonger. A more balanced view suggests a highly capable military ruler whose oft-reviled peculiarities seemed to have served him well, but who neglected his base in Sweden in pursuit of foreign adventure. Slow to learn the limits of Sweden's diminished strength, a party of nobles, who called themselves the " Hats ", dreamed of revenge on Russia and ruled

6120-546: Was England , due to interactions between Scandinavians and Saxons in the Danelaw , and with Irish missionary monks . German influence was less obvious in the beginning, despite an early missionary attempt by Ansgar , but gradually emerged as the dominant religious force in the area, especially after the Norman conquest of England . Despite the close relations between Swedish and Russian aristocracy (see also Rus' ), there

6205-458: Was a trial that led to a series of executions in Stockholm between 7 and 9 November 1520. The event is also known as the Stockholm massacre . The events occurred after the coronation of Christian II as the new king of Sweden , when guests in the crowning party were invited to a meeting at Tre Kronor castle. Archbishop Gustav Trolle , demanding economic compensation for things such as

6290-690: Was a consequence of conflict between Swedish pro-unionists (in favour of the Kalmar Union , then dominated by Denmark) and anti-unionists (supporters of Swedish independence), and also between the anti-unionists and the Danish aristocracy , which in other aspects was opposed to King Christian. The anti-unionist party was headed by Sten Sture the Younger , and the pro-unionist party by the Archbishop Gustavus Trolle . King Christian, who had already taken measures to isolate Sweden politically, intervened to help Archbishop Trolle, who

6375-634: Was also promised Tavastehus in Finland . When this had been written down on paper, the mayor of the city delivered the keys to the city on Södermalm and Christian held his grand entry. Shortly after, he sailed back to Denmark, to return in October for his coronation. On 4 November, Christian was anointed by Gustavus Trolle in Storkyrkan Cathedral and took the usual oath to rule the kingdom through native-born Swedes only. A banquet

6460-450: Was attacked by land and sea. Lady Kristina resisted for four months longer, and in the beginning of autumn Kristina's forces began winning. The inhabitants of Stockholm had a large supply of food and fared relatively well. Christian realized that his stockpile was dwindling and that it would doom his army to maintain the siege throughout the winter. With the help of Bishop Mattias , Hemming Gadh and other Swedes of high stature, Christian sent

6545-558: Was checked by Ottoman troops. However, Turkish failure to pursue the victory enraged Charles and from that moment his relations with the Ottoman administration soured. During the same period, the behavior of his troops worsened and turned disastrous. Lack of discipline and contempt for the locals soon created an unbearable situation in Moldavia . The Swedish soldiers behaved badly, destroying, stealing, raping, and killing. Meanwhile, back in

6630-495: Was confirmed by the king and the Danish Privy Council on 31 March. Sture's widow, Lady Kristina , was still resisting in Stockholm with support from the peasants of central Sweden, and defeated the Danes at Balundsås on 19 March. Eventually, her forces were defeated at Uppsala ( långfredagsslaget vid Uppsala ) on Good Friday, 6 April. In May, the Danish fleet, led by King Christian, arrived and Stockholm

6715-776: Was formalized in the Treaty of Brömsebro (1645). In 1648, Sweden became a guarantor power for the Peace of Westphalia , which ended the Thirty Years' War and left her with the additional dominions of Bremen-Verden, Wismar and Swedish Pomerania . From 1638 Sweden also held the colony of New Sweden , along the Delaware River in North America . In 1655, in the Second Northern War , Charles X Gustav of Sweden invaded and occupied western Poland–Lithuania,

6800-406: Was held for the next three days. Lots of wine and beer was drunk and jokes were cracked between Danes and Swedes. On the evening of 7 November, Christian summoned many Swedish leaders to a private conference at the palace. At dusk on 8 November, Danish soldiers, with lanterns and torches, entered a great hall of the royal palace and imprisoned several noble guests. Later in the evening, even more of

6885-544: Was marked by the emergence of a liberal opposition press, the abolition of guild monopolies in trade and manufacturing in favor of free enterprise, the introduction of taxation and voting reforms, the installation of a national military service, and the rise in the electorate of three major party groups: the Social Democratic Party, the Liberal Party, and the Conservative Party. Sweden, much like Japan at

6970-546: Was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bogesund on 19 January 1520. The Danish army, unopposed, was approaching Uppsala , where the members of the Swedish Riksdag of the Estates had already assembled. The senators agreed to render homage to Christian, on condition that he give a full amnesty for past actions and a guarantee that Sweden should be ruled according to Swedish laws and customs. A convention to this effect

7055-468: Was the Swedish–Norwegian War (1814) . Sweden was victorious in this war, leading to the Danish king being forced to cede Norway to Sweden. Norway was then forced to enter into a personal union with Sweden that lasted until 1905. Since 1814, Sweden has been at peace, adopting a non-aligned foreign policy in peacetime and neutrality in wartime. During World War I , Sweden remained neutral, but let

7140-434: Was the paternal grandson of King Magnus Ladulås of Sweden and the maternal grandson of King Haakon V of Norway . On 21 July 1336, Magnus was crowned king of Sweden and Norway in Stockholm. In 1332 the king of Denmark, Christopher II , died as a "king without a country" after he and his older brother and predecessor had divided Denmark into smaller polities. King Magnus took advantage of his neighbours' weakness, purchasing

7225-410: Was under siege in his fortress at Stäket . However, he was defeated by Sture and his peasant soldiers at Vedila , and forced to return to Denmark. A second attempt to bring Sweden back under his control in 1518 was also countered by Sture's victory at Brännkyrka . Eventually, a third attempt made in 1520 with a large army of French , German and Scottish mercenaries proved successful. Sture

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