Sweden's 1809 Constitution: The Coup That Created a Modern State

Sweden's 1809 coup d'état saw King Gustav IV Adolf overthrown and a new constitution born — one that would shape the nation's path for centuries. This episode explores the chaotic summer of 1809: the Finnish War's devastating losses, the army generals who forced the king's abdication, and the remarkable speed with which Sweden drafted a constitution separating powers between king and Riksdag. We trace the influence of Enlightenment thinkers like Montesquieu, the role of Georg Adlersparre and Carl Johan Adlercreutz, and the surprising arrival of Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte as crown prince just months later. How did a defeated, bankrupt kingdom reinvent itself as a constitutional monarchy? And why does the 1809 Instrument of Government still echo in Swedish political culture today? Join Lucas and Luna for a deep dive into the moment Sweden traded absolute monarchy for a modern state.

#Sweden #1809Coup #SwedishConstitution #InstrumentOfGovernment #GustavIVAdolf #FinnishWar #CarlJohanAdlercreutz #GeorgAdlersparre #JeanBaptisteBernadotte #Montesquieu #Riksdag #ConstitutionalMonarchy #NapoleonicWars #FexingoHistory #HistoryOfSweden #EuropeanHistory #Politics #History

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