Sweden's Age of Liberty: The 1719 Constitution

After the death of Charles XII in 1718, Sweden entered a remarkable 50-year period called the Age of Liberty (Frihetstiden). This episode explores how Sweden's parliament, the Riksdag of the Estates, seized power from the monarchy and established one of Europe's most advanced constitutional systems. We follow the rise of two rival political factions—the Hats and the Caps—who debated everything from foreign policy to economic reform. We also meet Arvid Horn, the statesman who guided Sweden through this fragile experiment in parliamentary rule. The episode covers key events like the 1719 Instrument of Government, the 1738 coup that ousted Horn, and the disastrous 1741–1743 war with Russia. We discuss how Sweden's Age of Liberty laid groundwork for modern democratic ideals, despite its flaws—including the Coup of 1772 that ended it all. Listeners will learn about the Riksdag's four estates (nobility, clergy, burghers, peasants), the secret parliamentary committees, and the role of Queen Ulrika Eleonora in the peaceful transition. A story of political innovation and bitter factionalism, this episode reveals a lesser-known chapter in Sweden's history where power truly belonged to the people.

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