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Nordic FAQ - 7 of 7 - SWEDEN |
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With Finland occupied by Russians, most of the Baltic provinces lost and
Sweden itself threatened by a Russian invasion, the estates decide 1714 that
a peace is necessary, but since the king was still in Turkey a messenger was
sent there to inform that Sweden would accept any peace terms given unless
the king soon returns to Sweden. Karl XII reacts immediately, rides through
the whole Europe with only one man accompanying him in 15 days. After the
king had returned, all talk of peace was banned. In 1716 he still manages to
raise an army of 40 000 men, and attacks Norway in 1718.
Karl XII gets killed 1718 while laying siege to Fredrikshald in Norway. To
this date, it isn't known whether the bullet came from the Norwegian or
Swedish side. Whether he was assassinated or not, his death put a welcome
end to the Swedish campaigns and the exhausted nation could eventually
achieve peace.
Peace treaties with Hanover, Prussia, and Denmark leave Sweden only
Stralsund, Rügen and parts of Vorpommern of its former "German territories".
The most severe of the peace treaties is, however, the one with Russia
signed in Nystad in 1721. Sweden loses all its Baltic territories, the
southeastern part of Finland, and ultimately its status as a major power.
7.3.5 toward democracy
1718-72
The so called Age of Freedom. Political power shifts from the king to the
estates. (With the new constitution the incorporation of Scania and other
conquered provinces is completed.)
A two-party system develops, and Arvid Horn, born in Finland and one of king
Karl XII's best militaries and administrators, became the most well-known
prime minister, totally out-shining the king Fredrik I who actually came on
the throne as the consort of the abdicated queen. During the period
1720-1738 Arvid Horn pilots Sweden between Russian and French conflicts, but
resigns finally accused for weakness and exaggerated fear for wars. His
party gets the nickname the "Nightcaps" opposed by the pride "Hats."
In the country the parish meetings are now established as deciding
authority, electing priests, organizing common work and poor relief, and
stating moral and juridical sentences (the latter without formal right). In
1742 the estates confirm the democratic forms for decisions at the village
meeting. The reason is unclear. The institution had worked well for many
hundreds of years. Maybe the lords in the new more feudal southern provinces
made problems, maybe the increase of crofters and impecunious caused
tension.
Year 1766 the censure of printed matters is abolished. The campaign is led
by the priest Anders Chydenius from Finland. The liberty of Press was
declared as constitution, including documents of the state administration
with few exceptions made publicly available, the "Offentlighetsprincipen".
1741-43
"The War of the Hats". The French-minded "Hat party" advocating aggressive
foreign politics became a majority in the Riksdag and declares war on
Russia. The war goes miserably and Finland is occupied by Russia. In the
peace treaty of Turku, Russia however agrees to gaining only fairly minor
territories in eastern Finland because the Swedish estates agree to having
Russian-approved prince-bishop Adolf Fredrik of Lübeck to enter the Swedish
throne.
1772-1809
Gustav III performs a coup 1772 and restores absolute monarchy; the
beginning of the "Gustavian era". Gustav's rule is authoritarian and freedom
of speech is limited, but in the spirit of "enlightened autocracy" he pushes
through many important reforms that the estates had been unable to decide on
during the Age of Freedom. Swedish economy strengthens, laws are made more
humane, new towns and roads are built, the navy is reformed and arts are
favored.
1788-90
Gustav's war against Russia. Sweden attacks Russia hoping to reconquer
eastern parts of Finland and Ingria ("Ingermanland"). The troops are poorly
motivated, the war goes badly, a rebellion known as Anjala-alliance rises
among the Finnish officers and Gustav has to stop the Russian campaign.
Meanwhile, Denmark attacks Sweden, but finds England and Prussia opposing
all military actions in the Danish straits, and is forced to accept a truce.
In June 1789 the war in the eastern front is continued, but with no
significant advance on land and several defeats on sea. However, on July 9th
1790 in Svensksund on the Finnish coast, the Swedish navy achieves a
glorious victory in the largest naval battle ever fought on the Baltic sea.
After this, Russia accepts a peace offered by Sweden but the peace involves
no ceding of territories.
Year 1792 Gustav attends a masked ball in Stockholm's opera despite the
several warnings about conspirators planning an assassination. Around
midnight, he is mortally wounded by a certain J.J.Anckarström, and dies a
couple of weeks later. Duke Charles becomes a regent while the young crown
prince Gustav Adolf is under age.
1792-1809
Russia had agreed in the treaty of Tilsit to pressure Sweden to join the
Napoleonic anti-British trade blockade, but Sweden refuses to listen to the
Russian ultimatums and scare-tactics and remains opposed to Napoleon.
Eventually, when all diplomatic means have failed, Russia attacks Finland
1808. Despite brief victories, the war goes badly for Sweden and by the
spring of 1809 the Finnish troops had surrendered, the main army had
retreated to Sweden and in the peace treaty of Fredrikshamn September 1809
the whole of Finland was joined to Russia. With the loss of Finland it is
made evident that the strength of the Swedish army was far more depending on
soldiers from Finland than her 20% share of the population would suggest.
For the defense of Sweden's territories an extra conscription for an extra
army was made among males below the age of 26 years. Unfortunately their
training was far too brief, and then at the fronts in the south and the west
they were left with deficient support, why many died from hunger and
freezing. Because of the disastrous war Gustav IV Adolf loses power and a
new constitution is written that puts an end to Gustavian autocracy.
The constitution was signed June 6th 1809 by duke Charles, again regent
after the king had been dethroned. Duke Charles is elected king, and the
Danish prince Christian August, who led the Norwegian government and army,
was elected to crown prince of Sweden - obviously with a Nordic union
planned, but the Danish king Frederik VI opposed this idea, unless he
himself was elected.
May 1810 the Swedish crown prince dies unexpectedly; his big brother accepts
to succeed him, but suddenly a French Marshall Jean Baptiste Bernadotte
announces his candidacy, and in solely ten days the state council, the king
and the estates change their minds. The election is unanimous.
1814-1905
In return for its anti-Napoleonic stance, Sweden receives Norway in the
treaty of Vienna, and the two countries are united in a personal union, with
Sweden occupying a leading position.
During this period Sweden develops from a poor agrarian country, to a less
poor agrarian country - and then industrialism begins. The old villages are
divided, each farm get its fields collected; the democratic village meeting
loses its function when each farm has its own fences. New methods and crops
(potatoes!) are introduced by farmers now independent of the conservative
neighbors' opinion. The life expectancy rise - as does the number of
crofters and vagrants.
In the beginning of the 19th century the vodka consumption is the highest
ever, estimated to 24 liters 100% pure alcohol per inhabitant. Paradoxally
the slightly improved living conditions, as indicated by longer life
expectancy, lead to a new kind of misery with a growing number of peasants
without property. The crofters, farm-hands etc form a rural proletariat
which grows fast while becoming relatively all more impoverished. As a
reaction Social-purity ideas grow, leading among other things to reforms of
the mandatory schools, of the political representation and of the municipal
responsibilities for poor. 1860 it becomes prohibited for ordinary citizens
to make their own vodka.
In 1831 the newspaper Aftonbladet is founded, important because of it's
struggle to increase the freedom of the press. The king, Karl XIV Johan, at
the time had the right to retract permissions to publish newspapers. When
Aftonbladet criticized the king, he retracted the publish rights - but the
paper immediately reappeared as "The Second Aftonbladet", "The Third
Aftonbladet" and all the way to the "28th Aftonbladet".
1850-90
About one million Swedes moved to America during this period, but the
emigration slowed after 1900 because of improved conditions of living and
increased industrialization. Norway, industrialized before Sweden, was an
enticements on poor Swedes who couldn't afford the fare to America.
1845-1923
Women get equal rights in society
From 1845 daughters inherit as much land as their male siblings. (Until then
the sons had got twice as much.)
In 1858 unmarried women get right to dispose own incomes and possessions and
also to run enterprises, and come of age at 25 years (including right to
vote at the parish meeting in case they earn enough).
Unmarried women get right to state employment in the 1860:ies. Higher
education for women is organized in some towns.
In 1874 married women get right to dispose their income.
As late as 1921 married women get total right to dispose their own
possessions and act on their own judicial responsibility, and also rights to
vote in parliamentary elections. Finally 1923 also the right to higher
positions in the state administrations.
1880:ies
The Scandinavian democratic traditions develop in the working class -
initially in the free Churches, the temperance movement (IOGT was
established 1879) and the workers unions which all grow to strong democratic
forces. Education extension was an important part of their work. Debates and
proclamations are made, from the 1870:ies public parades are organized to
express the will of the people.
The Social Democratic party is founded 1889.
20th century
Sweden manages to stay out of both World Wars, achieves a high standard of
living and becomes an urbanized welfare state.
The parishes are merged to municipalities and then merged again to even
bigger municipalities, and then again.
Until 1917 the governments are mostly Conservative, 1917-1926 Social
Democrats form the Cabinet, sometimes in coalition with Liberals. 1932 the
Social Democrats return to the Cabinet, and except for a few months the
summer 1936 they remain at power until 1976.
1900-14
The union with Norway is ceased without violence, and almost without
threats.
The workers unions organize several massive strikes, frightening the upper
class. The proposal to equal votes for men was made by a conservative
cabinet which feared a revolution as the alternative.
7.3.7 social security
1945-1960
During the 1940'ies the agrarian proletarians are transformed to tenant
farmers, and house maids which now have gotten regulated working hours
become a very rare sight. The Social Democrats continue to dominate the
society, in the parliament in cooperation with the Agrarians when
neccessary. The industry expands. People leave the countryside for the
towns. Sick insurance, pensions, maternal allowance and yearly vacations are
expanded. The urbanization leads to a new kind of social misery with
shortage of housing and "wild" adolescent gangs in the towns. Immigrants are
welcomed by the industries: Germans, Italians, Hungarians, Finland-Swedes
and Finns.
1960-1980
Women participate in the caring for children and elderly as employees by the
municipalities. Taxes rise. A surge of immigrants are engaged in the
industries. Vacations get limited to not less than 5 weeks yearly. 40 hours
working week is enforced. Strong laws against arbitrary sacking of workers
are decided and the unions get right to participate in board meetings for
companies.
The educational system is made uniform with 10 years of mandatory
theoretical school with minimized freedom to choose subjects followed by 3
years of specializing ("Gymnasium"). Matriculation examination is abolished,
as are apprentices. All secondary schools give access to higher studies, the
mark system is debated and changed.
The king loses the last executive power. Princesses get equal rights with
princes to inherit the throne.
Swedish politicians tend to start their careers in younger years, before
having accomplished in any profession (Olof Palme is one of the first
examples), and the reduced number of municipal politicians contribute to a
growing alienation between politicians and the electorate.
The Swedish Social Democratic governments are eager to act in international
politics. Preferably on the "anti-imperialist" side against the United
States - and sometimes against the Soviet Union. Olof Palme belonged to the
Swedes who were strongly engaged against the Vietnam war, which led to the
US ambassador leaving Sweden for some years.
In Sweden communists were hunted in the unions and among the employees in
governmental institutions (as hospitals!). In the 1970:ies Jan Guillou, an
investigating journalist at a left-wing periodical, was imprisoned for
revealing the close cooperation between the Social Democratic party and a
secret organization registering people with leftist opinions threatening the
society. Jan Guillou became some 15 years later Sweden's most famous novel
writer with his series about the super-hero baron Carl G Hamilton in the
Swedish secret service.
In elections to the parliament 1973 the left block and the anti-Socialist
block got 175 seats each. Olof Palme remained as prime minister. Many laws
were decided after drawing of lots. The number of seats is made unequal.
1976-1994
The political majority in the parliament changes almost every 6:th year.
Waves of refugees arrive but fail to find employment.
Plans to force companies to give shares to the workers unions every year are
discussed, decided and abandoned.
The defense forces are successively reduced.
In 1976 the leader for the Center party, Thorbjörn Fälldin, becomes the
first non-Social Democratic prime minister since 1936 after an intense
campaign in favor of environment protection and against nuclear power. In a
referendum 1979 between three proposals to close the thirteen nuclear power
plants the Social Democratic version wins a relative majority and is
interpreted as use of all nuclear power is to be liquidated in thirty years.
In the autumn 1981 a Russian submarine runs a-ground in what the military
calls inner security zone of the navy base area in the Blekinge archipelago.
After half a day an inhabitant on the island informs the military about the
unexpected guest. A Russian navy gathers at the territorial border, but
leaves after the Swedish prime minister Thorbjörn Fälldin publicly declared
he had ordered the Swedish defense forces to use all means against further
intruders on the sea or in the air. The Russians denied accusations of
having brought atomic weapons to Sweden, as the US navy always had done when
they had come on (announced) visits. After this perturbing episode the
Swedish navy hunted Russian mini- and macro-submarines intensely for the
following ten years. Then it turned out that some, most or all of the hunted
objects had been minks.
Big devaluations solve some problems and cause other. In the 1980's a lot of
Swedish industrial profits are gambled away on continental real estates.
February 28th 1986, the Social Democratic prime minister Olof Palme, who had
dominated Swedish politics in the 70's and 80's, is assassinated while
returning from movies. A political heir of Tage Erlander (another
influential Swedish prime minister, in power 1946-69), he had an
international reputation as an architect of the Swedish welfare model and an
outspoken advocate of disarmament. He was the first Swedish leader to be
killed since king Gustav III. Despite feverish and almost tragicomic
investigations, the motive and the killer still remain unknown.
At the beginning of the 1990:ies the employment drops drastically, as does
the value of the currency, and the state budget deficit explodes. Subsidies
are diminished for sick insurance, maternal and paternal leave, unemployment
insurance... The bad times result in some changes on higher positions in the
banks and industries, and it turns out that their boards (also state owned
banks and companies) have granted the management fabulous pensions. The
Social Democrats have propagandized much against the Bildt cabinet policy,
populistically claiming it to strike hard against the weakest among the
people. The people got surprised when the Social Democrats, after the
election of 1994 back at power, in the parliament do much harder cuts in the
social security system.
The ferry Estonia en route between Tallin and Stockholm with over a thousand
people on-board sank into the icy Baltic September 28th 1994; only circa 130
were saved. Of the drowned, the vast majority were Swedes, and the disaster
shook the whole nation.
Latest news
In 1996 The Social Democratic party elected a new chairman, Göran Persson,
namesake to the chancellor of Erik XIV, who becomes prime minister and the
sixth leader of the party in 107 years. Persson's supporters have acted
against Mona Sahlin, proposed by the retiring Ingvar Carlsson, spreading
(true) rumors about her bad capability to take care of her own economy, and
her purchase of diapers and chocolate with a government credit card. Mona
Sahlin is made impossible and leaves the political life. Göran Persson is
caught shop-lifting chocolate, and the former minister of Justice (in mr
Bildt's cabinet) is forgiven purchase of shoes and dresses with her
government credit card. The strongest criticism comes from Per Uncle,
another former minister of mr Bildt's, who turns out to be the one the
prosecutor finds his greatest interest in.
Several municipal politicians and managers leave their positions after
having been too self-indulgent with municipal credit cards on night clubs,
brothels and holiday trips. The unveiling of this habit was introduced by a
Scanian radio journalist, Janne Svensson, who soon got employed as secretary
for the Social Democratic mayor of Malmö.
The former leader for the (Social) Liberal party leads an "independent"
commission investigating espionage on a private TV station where a reporter
had unveiled embarrassing facts about HSB, a national organization for
housing societies, not without ties to the Social Democratic party. The
espionage is ordered by the manager for a public relation firm with close
ties to the Social Democratic party, but the commission declares that HSB
could not be shown to have aimed at espionage - only at a vicious slander
campaign. The HSB manager, who over a bottle of whiskey had commissioned the
PR-firm manager, should not have acted on behalf of HSB.
- The commission worked on the behalf of HSB.
The European Union, which Sweden entered 1995, is among many perceived as
the greatest threat against the Swedish democracy (except for wars).
The alienation between the electorate and the elected becomes worse.
------------------------------
Subject: 7.4 Main tourist attractions
7.4.1 Stockholm area
Stockholm was originally established (c. 1250) by Birger Jarl as a defense
outpost against the Baltic pirates on one of the channel islands that now
make up Old Town. The city gained importance during the late Middle Ages as
an exporter of metals, timber, and furs from its hinterland, but was still
second after Uppsala in importance. Following the Stockholm Bloodbath and
the subsequent overthrow of Danish rule in 1523, Stockholm became the center
of the new Swedish kingdom. Under Gustav II Adolf (ruled 1611-32) Sweden
became a major European power. His daughter and successor Christina (ruled
1632-54) established Stockholm as an intellectual and cultural center.
Stockholm is sometimes known as the Venice of the North. It is the cultural,
educational, and industrial center of Sweden. The heart of the city is built
on 13 small islands at the junction where Lake Mälaren joins the Baltic Sea.
Remnants of medieval Stockholm survive on three small islands known as Gamla
Stan (the Old Town). They are Stadsholmen (The City Island) , Riddarholmen
(Knight Island), and Helgeandsholmen (The Island of the Holy Spirit). The
islands are closely connected and form the "Staden mellan broarna", or "city
between the bridges".
Stadsholmen has old gabled houses and narrow streets not found in other
sections. Facing the water is the Royal Palace, which was completed in 1760,
and is open to tourists. Nearby is the Storkyrkan (cathedral), the oldest
building of the city (although the exterior is baroque), which houses e.g
the famous medieval sculpture of St. Georg and the Dragon by the German
sculptor Berndt Notke.
Cobblestone streets wind up from the palace to the old Stortorget, or Great
Market, the site of the Bloodbath of 1520. Eighty-two Swedish noblemen were
executed in the market by Danish King Christian II. Close to Stadsholmen is
Riddarholmen, where many of the Swedish rulers have been buried in
Riddarholmskyrkan. On the tiny Helgeandsholmen, or Island of the Holy
Spirit, where the House of Parliament stands.
North of the Old Town are Norrmalm, the modern business and theater
district, and Östermalm, a resedential section. Södermalm, a manufacturing
center, is in the city's southern section, across the bridge leading from
Old Town. The Town Hall, which is Stockholm's symbol, and most of the city
government offices are on Kungsholmen, a large island west of Norrmalm.
Stockholm is famous for its cleanliness and for its large number of parks
and open spaces. On Djurgarden (a peninsula reserved for parkland and a
cultural center) is Skansen, an open-air museum.
The University of Stockholm, founded in 1877 as a private institution, was
taken over by the state in 1960 and is now the country's largest university.
The Nobel Prizes are awarded annually in Stockholm, with the exception of
the Nobel Peace Prize, which is presented in Oslo, Norway.
Major museums include the National Museum (of art), the Moderna Museet
(Museum of modern art), the Vasa Museum (where a magnificient, 17th Century
royal warship Vasa is on display; it sunk in the harbour on it's first
journey in 1628 and was well preserved in the water for over 300 years until
it was lifted in 1961. It's a must for every Stockholm visitor), the
Historical Museum, the Nordic Museum, the Museum of Natural History (with
Cosmonova omni theatre), the Museum of Naval History, the Skansen outdoor
museum, the medieval museum, and the Royal Armoury (Livrustkammaren) where
all sorts of fascinating artifacts from the history of the kingdom are on
display, including crown jewels.
In August each year we have the Stockholm Water Festival, an annual cultural
and entertainment event sponsored by the city council and local business
life. The one and a half week festival offers special exhibitions, concerts,
shows, fireworks, an impromptu shopping mall in the Old Town with street
restaurants, outdoor movie shows, activities for children, etc. The offcial
guide of the festival each year lists more than 1 000 festival events.
The Stockholm archipelago with tens and tens of thousands of islands is very
popular in the summer. You can take the white Waxholm boats to the
archipelago. A popular area for summer houses.
Have a tour around Stockholm by sightseeing boat. Or see the city on a
regular boat trip. In that case, note Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen,
formerly navy base. Then get the most condensed view of the old town.
Further out, note Waldermarsudde, home of artist late Prince Eugen, now
museum. Young artists will give concerts here summertime. Then a white
building with towers, home of late Marcus Wallenberg. Finally two beautiful
houses from baroque era on point Blockhusudden.
Drottningholm. Accessed by land or by boat. Home of the royal family.
Theatre with advanced scene mechanism from 18th century, in use today. Park
in the style of Versailles, with "Kina slott", romantic building in Chinese
style.
Open-air museum Skansen in Djurgården should preferably be seen when all
workshops are open which will not be until the end of August. At least some
of them should however be open every Sunday. Skansen also has a Zoo. You can
get there with the museum tram line leaving from Norrmalmstorg.
Suggested walks or bike rides around Stockholm
* Along shore Norr Mälarstrand. Outdoor cafe. Then one will come to the
City Hall. Enter the tower.
* From Djurgården eastwards along the shore to Blockhusudden. Bring a
picnic basket early in the morning.
* On the hills of Södermalm, with red cottages dispersed among the stone
houses. Fine views over the water.
* Along the shores of Reimersholme. Then, on the way to bridge
Västerbron, pass by 'Lasse i parken' (cafe in a red cottage). Go over
Västerbron and again come to Norr Mälarstrand.
* On Skeppsholmen and Kastellholmen. Museum of Eastern antiques. Youth
hostel and outdoor cafe.
There is no particular restaurant area in Stockholm. Stureplan and around
however is somewhat of a meeting place. It is also close to water. In later
years the south side (Södermalm), especially around Medborgarplatsen, has
emerged as an important area of restaurants and pubs. There are over a
hundred of them within 5 minutes walking distance from Medborgarplatsen.
Plenty of choir concerts are given in the churches and the choirs are
generally very good. There are some places close to Stockholm which should
be seen, if possible.
* Gripsholm castle, accessed e.g. with s/s Mariefred on a one-day trip;
oldest part was built in the 1380's. Interesting because it's different
styles inside reflect different epochs.
* Home and orangery of the famous botanist Carl von Linne in Uppsala.
* Hammarby, east of Uppsala. Summer resort of Linne, used by him for
lecturing.
* Österbybruk, north of Uppsala. The pre-industrial factories called
'bruk' are peculiar for Sweden. A 'bruk' was a complete community. They
are dispersed throughout middle Sweden. Österbybruk is very well
preserved.
* Skokloster castle at lake Mälaren, from about the same time as
man-of-war Vasa. Armoury collection. (Rent a car in order to visit the
previous four items.)
* The remains of Birka in lake Mälaren. Birka could be considered capital
of Sweden during the Viking age. Best accessed by boat.
Suggested one-day archipelago trips from Stockholm
* Sandhamn on island Sandön. Have beefsteak lunch onboard on the steamer.
From the harbour, walk southwards to village Sandhamn. Then follow the
southern shore of the island to point Trouville. Find a suitable way
back to the village. Be careful to enter the right boat back. Avoid
Saturdays and Sundays.
* Kymmendö. Strindberg's Hemsö. Restricted area. Ask for permission at
the police office.
* Rödlöga. Small formerly fishing village. Forest meadows and hardwood
forest, very impressing that far out in the sea. It will however be at
its best in early summer. The main island of this detached archipelago
is rather small and will be walked around in one hour. Choose between
Saturdays or Sundays.
* Husarö.
If you have the time, stay over night somewhere. There are accommodations at
several places. Buy a smoked fish if there are not any restaurants. Check
restricted (military) areas on the map. Ticks is not a big problem, but ask
for advice if you are uncertain.
On a half-day trip from Stockholm one can go to Vaxholm. See the citadel
(open until 16.00) with gunnery museum and minute exhibition about the
Ytterby mine, known for ytterbium, yttrium, terbium, holmium, scandium,
gadolinium and lanthanum. The mine itself may be visited but is hardly worth
seeing and minerals may not be collected. Open air cafe in the citadel.
Check this URL for more info on Stockholm in the www:
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