Sweden's Age of Liberty: The Rise and Fall of Parliament

After the death of Charles XII in 1718, Sweden entered its Age of Liberty (Frihetstiden), a unique period of parliamentary rule that lasted from 1719 to 1772. This episode explores how the Riksdag of the Estates — nobles, clergy, burghers, and peasants — seized power from the monarchy, creating a constitutional experiment that was rare in Europe. We delve into the Hat and Cap parties, the influence of foreign bribes from France and Russia, and the economic and political turmoil that led to the crisis of 1772. Key figures include Arvid Horn, the cautious leader who oversaw peace and prosperity; the Hats' aggressive foreign policy under Carl Gustaf Tessin; and King Gustav III, whose coup ended the experiment. We also touch on the Freedom of the Press Act of 1766, a landmark in transparency, and the Great Reduction that weakened the nobility. Through the lens of this forgotten era, we see a Sweden that nearly became a republic, only to fall back into absolutism.

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