This article summarizes the history of Sweden .

The Sweden is a country of the north of the Europe pertaining to the Scandinavia.

Sweden belongs to the European Union since 1995, but not of the Euro area.

Prehistory (origins with -1 ' 800)

End of the glacial era

Until worms the year -11.000, the Sweden is entirely covered with a Icecap culminating sometimes with 3.000 meters of altitude. Only the Scanie is free of ice; current the the Baltic formed as for it a glacial lake.

About the year -8.500, the ice starts to be withdrawn and the Atlantic Ocean is engulfed to the Baltic forming a sea with Yoldia. Dalsland, Västergötland and Östergötland are from now on free of ice.

Towards -7.000, the rise of the grounds insulates the sea thus formed which gave birth, for example, with the current lake Vänern. Sweden knew in the following centuries several flows and backward flow of the Ocean.

It is only towards -4.500 that Sweden acquired the form that we know to him today. In spite of that, the oldest found traces of human settlement go back to 8000 years before Jesus-Christ in the area of Malmö in Scanie. These people of hunters and gatherers went up towards north as the ice-barrier was withdrawn.

According to the last archaeological discoveries, it is however probable that Sweden was already populated before the last glaciation, towards -50.000, by the Homme of Néanderthal.

The age of the stone (- 8 ' 000 to -1 ' 800)

Paleolithic superior (- 8 ' 000 to -7 ' 000)

When the ices are withdrawn, from the reindeers come to feed with the Denmark and in the south of Sweden. Tribes driving out on a territory of more than 100 ' 000 km ² and alive in tipis on the Toundra are established there then, giving rise to the culture of Ahrensburg. There are then few forests, but Arctic white birches and sorbs. The Taiga appears gradually.

Mesolithic era (- 7 ' 000 to -5 ' 000)

During the seventh millenium before our era, the reindeers and their hunters migrate towards the north of Scandinavia and of the forests start to be formed on all the territory. Two specific cultures live then in Sweden: the Culture of Maglemose, established in the south of Sweden and Denmark, as well as the cultures of Fosna and Hensbacka, établient more in north and in Norway. The use of the Fire, boats and stone tools makes it possible these inhabitants to survive the north of Europe.

The hunters-gatherers of north follow the herds of reindeers and the race of the salmons, migrating towards the south lasting the winter and turning over more to north lasting the summer. These populations thus follow traditions similar to those practical through all the far North, that it is in Finland, Russia or in the extreme-north of the America.

During the sixth millenium, the south of Sweden is covered with luxuriant forests, in which aurochs, minks, dashes and stags live. The tribes of the Culture of Kongemose live of these animals. Like their predecessors, they also drive out seals and practice fishing.

In the north of the Culture of Kongemose two other cultures of hunters-gatherers live, called cultures of Nøstvet and Lihult, going down from the cultures of Fosna and Hensbacka. These two cultures still exist at the end of the sixth millenium, when the culture of Kongemose is replaced by that of Ertebølle.

Neolithic era (- 5 ' 000 to -1 ' 800)

During the fifth millenium, the culture of Ertebølle learns the pottery from tribes established more with the south, tribes which also started to cultivate their grounds and to domesticate animals. Around -4 ' 000, the culture of Ertebølle also starts to cultivate its grounds and is part from now on of the megalithic culture of Funnelbeaker.

During the fourth millenium, these tribes extend gradually towards North, until Uppland. The cultures of Nøstvet and Lihult learn from new technologies from these farmers, but not agriculture. They form the Culture of the ceramics pricked as of the end of the thousand-year-old fourth. These tribes retain the projection of the farmers of the culture of Funnelbeaker and push back them even towards the south-west of Sweden. Certain researchers think that the farmers of the North of Sweden simply adopted the lifestyle of the culture of pricked ceramics.

The spoken language by the former Scandinavians is not known, but much researchers think that they are submerged at the end of the third millennium by new proto-indo-European tribes belonging to the Culture of twisted ceramics. These tribes advance until in Uppland and probably bring with them the language which will be the ancestor of those that the Scandinavians speak today. They are patriarchal companies, based on the breeding.

Protohistoire

The Bronze Age

See also: Danish Bronze Age

A little later, at the beginning of, the first commercial exchanges with the Europe make their appearance and mainly with the British Isles. The use of bronze makes its appearance.

From a cultural point of view, it is a company strongly hierarchical in the form of Clan S which develops. There exist many tribes each one directed by a king or a chief. Although one at that time has only few traces of civilizations having existed in Sweden, the discovery many tumulus individual (precursors of those of the time of the Viking S) richly decorated with bronze and gold shows that they were very developed and that they maintained many exchanges with the continent. These exchanges were multiplying with the years.

To the VI E of the exchanges exist with the Celtic civilization of Tène. One century later, it is with the Roman Empire. Many coins and other articles of these areas were found by archeologists on the territory Swedish. It is also as from this time that one finds the first texts speaking about the Sweden mainly with the writings of Tacite, Procope de Césarée and Jordanès.

The iron age: the period of Vendel

In Swedish history, the period of Vendel (550-793) is the name given to the age of Germanic iron, more generally called Âge of the migrations.

Important archaeological discoveries going back to this period were made in Sweden, in particular the many burials in the form of boats close to Vendel in the Uppland like in the island of Gotland. In these burials, one found many helmets, swords and shields of local or foreign manufacture.

At that time, the company continues to be structured in the form of clans. The archaeological discoveries tend to show that the Uppland is an important and powerful zone. Part of the richnesses probably came from control from the mines from iron. The leaders have armed warriors with horse, equipped with expensive armours. The knowledge of this fact rises on the one hand archaeological discoveries and, on the other hand, texts of Jordanès.

Commercial contacts exist with the Central Europe, in the form of exports of fur, iron and slaves, in exchange, in particular, works of Article It is also at that time that the Swedes started to explore the sea routes which will carry out the Vikings until in Russia.

The Time Viking in Sweden (~ 800 - ~ 1050)

Forwardings Vikings

See also: Varègues

With orée of the time Viking, the people of Sweden had right now woven many bonds with the people of Europe. There is no unquestionable explanation making it possible to know for which reason these voyages of the Scandinavian people were thus geared down. An often advanced reason is the overpopulation of the area due to a climate warming. One found vines in Scanie with approximately of the year 1000. Another advanced assumption, in particular by Henri Pirenne, is that the expansion of the empire of Charlemagne in the West and of the Muslim world in the East cut the transportation routes traditionally used by the people of Scandinavia which sought new roads thus.

At all events, Swedish forwardings Viking S especially went on the East of the continent of Europe. Forwardings towards the West especially were the work of the Danish and Norwegian. The Vikings originating in Sweden bear also the name of Varègue S. Their forwardings left for the majority the island Gotland, the Lac Mälar and the Uppland. The town of Birka is famous to have been one of the high places of Swedish civilization Viking. One found there very many coins, armaments and other objects coming from all the Europe but mainly of the Kingdom of the Francs, Byzance and Baghdad. Very many Arab coins were also found in the island of Gotland.

Swedish forwardings Vikings towards Byzance passed by the territories of current the Russia and Ukraine. In fact the Varègues founded the State of Kiev in the current of the 9th century which gave rise to the Moscovie then with the Russia. The name of this last country comes besides from the term Rus' , term employed by the Slavic people to indicate the Varègues. Today still, the Sweden names Ruotsi in Finnois.

As well concerning the Denmark, the Norway as the Sweden, the brutal end of forwardings Vikings in the middle of the 11th century remains rather unexplained.

The religion

The people of Sweden had a religion polytheist with very many the gods and Mythes of which most known are Odin ( Óðinn ), Thor ( Þórr ) or Frey ( Freyr ). Generally, the spiritual life of the Sweden rested mainly on the Culte of the ancestors. In testify many the tumulus still today that one can find on all the territory Swedish.

It is however on the end of the period of the Vikings that the Sweden christianized. The frank missionary Anschaire came twice to Birka in first half of the 9th century. The Christian religion was really established however in Sweden only towards the end of the 11th century on the bors of the lake Mälar and in the area of Uppsala. The first churches were built only at the beginning of the 12th century in particular with Sigtuna or Linköping. The first Archevêque was established in 1164 with Uppsala. It is the Christian religion which put an end to the clannish company and leads to the formation of a State structured such as they existed already in Occident.

See too

See also the articles detailed on

Beginnings of the Swedish kingdom (~ 1050 - 1389)

Towards the unification

The traditional origin of the unification of Sweden would go back to the 6th century if one believes of it the poem Beowulf . Moreover more recent research, showed that it is in the area of the Götaland that unified Sweden would have been born. The strong establishment of the Christianity, as of the 12th century, in this area, with the Västergötland and in Östergötland was a very important vector of creation of a United Kingdom replacing the whole of clans and enemy tribes which reigned on the country. The area of the Lake Mälar where Birka was and the departure of the majority of forwardings Viking S.A. christianized well later.

Until the middle of the 13th century, the seat of the authority remains regional, between the hands of a Sénéchal ( Jarl ). The first character of national importance who can be regarded as sufficiently influence to be indicated by the term of " king de Suède" is Olof Skötkonung, at the 10th century. This one reigned on the Västergötland but its influence was felt until in the Uppland. However, this influence was not also strong as for its descendants since in the years which followed several kings reigned on the territory of current Sweden.

In first half of the 12th century, therefore, one can start to speak about a real unification of Sweden with the reign of Sverker Old the. The throne alternated during a hundred years between its descendants and those of Erik Jedvardsson.

Sweden under Folkungar

At the beginning of the 13th century, the influence of the jarl grows. In 1252, the jarl Birger Magnusson which controls Sweden since 1248 founds the town of Stockholm in the aim of protection the lake Mälaren. The influence of Stockholm increases at a speed such, that in hardly more than one generation, it becomes the most important city of Sweden thanks to the surge of merchants mainly coming from Germany. The first forwardings of christianization of the Finland left Stockholm.

The son of Birger Jarl, Waldemar is elected king in 1250. It is the first of the representatives of the house of Folkungar. In spite of that, it is Birger Jarl which continues to exert in fact the capacity on the kingdom. It is replaced by his brother, Magnus Ladulås, in 1266 with died of Birger Jarl. This last takes the title of king in 1279. At that time, in 1280, Sweden is cut out in strongholds ( Län ) and the nobility, from now on exempted taxes is established in a secular way.

Magnus dies in 1290. The capacity is allocated to the constable Torgils Knutsson because the young person Birger is still minor. Regency, during which vast territories in Finland are conquered, will last until in 1303. In 1317, Birger makes assassinate his/her two brothers who sought to reverse it, considering it too far away from the Église. A revolt bursts and Birger was deposited one years later. Its young person wire three years old, Magnus is elected king. This one reigns on the Norway (he is the direct heir to its maternal grandfather Håkon Magnusson which dies in 1319) until in 1343 and on the Sweden until in 1363. It reigns on Sweden under the name of Magnus IV and Norway under the name of Magnus VII.

In 1350, under the reign of Magnus, is promulgated the general Code, kind of first Swedish constitution. In this one, is stipulated in particular that the king could not issue new taxes without the agreement of the Council of the kingdom, that the king commits himself reigning under the terms of the law or that this last is elected.

It is still under the reign of Magnus that Sweden starts with strongly opening on the remainder of the Europe. Transportation routes towards the south are created as well as important economic exchanges, mainly with the Hanseatic League and the town of Lübeck. From a cultural point of view, courteous poetry and the knighthood make their appearance at the court.

Shown to go against the general Code by the Council of the kingdom since several years, his/her son, Eric XII of Sweden was placed on the throne by the Council in 1356. This one dies in 1359 of the plague which prevails in the kingdom. During this time, the kingdom of the Denmark, taken along by Valdemar Atterdag conquers several areas of Sweden and in particular the provinces of Scanie, Halland and Blekinge in 1360 and the island of Gotland and its important port of Visby in 1361. In 1364, Magnus is constrained with the exile. Albert de Mecklembourg is elected king de Suède the same year.

The nobility, always in opposition with the king, called upon the girl of Valdemar of Denmark, Marguerite, widow of Håkan, second wire of Magnus IV Ericsson to elect it as a queen of Sweden with her son Olof in 1387 what was made the following year.

Sweden under the Union of Kalmar (1389 - 1523)

See also: Union of Kalmar

The nobility against the crown (1389 - 1440)

The union of the kingdoms of Sweden, Denmark and Norway is ratified in 1397 in the town of Kalmar. The nephew of Marguerite, Eric de Poméranie is recognized king of the three kingdoms. It is the beginning of the Union of Kalmar. During this period, the three kingdoms are supposed to preserve their autonomy, their laws and their own administration. However, Marguerite, regent until her death in 1412 will manage to concentrate the capacity between her hands and those of her nephew, Eric.

The influence of the Swedish nobility thus weakened involved tensions between this one and the queen. One of the objectives of Marguerite - and who will be taken again by Érik - is to put an end to the economic influence of the Hanseatic League in the Scandinavian kingdoms. This leads to an expensive war and testing for the Swedish people with the Hanseatic League. The Sweden is insulated economically and this catastrophic situation involves several revolts against the crown, in particular in the mines of the Bergslagen in 1434 (carried out by Engelbrekt Engelbrektsson). This revolt starts by obtaining the support of the peasants, then quickly of the inhabitants of the cities, the clergy and finally of the nobility. In 1435, the representatives as of these state S meet to form a kind of Parliament which will end up leading to current the Riksdag, the Swedish Parliament. Engelbrekt is assassinated little time after being elected general Lieutenant ( rikshövitsman ). The fight continues however thanks to Karl Knutsson Bonde, leader of the nobility. This one is elected regent of the kingdom by the Council in 1438, which confers to him the title of king of Sweden. Erik VII is consequently occasion deposited.

It is at the same period that this one loses the battle for the throne the opponent with his nephew Christophe of Bavaria. In 1440, this last is elected king of the Denmark, by recognizing the rights of the Councils to direct the kingdoms of the Union. In Sweden, new the capacity thus granted are such as they in integrality are held by the nobility.

Progressive end of the Union (1440 - 1523)

The nobility, again main of Sweden, finds its old fratricidal fights for the capacity. The strongholds, nonhereditary, are disputed between the various representatives of the nobility. With died of Christophe Ier of Bavaria, the Council, in Sweden Charles VIII elects. But the Councils of the Denmark and Norway choose Christian Ier. Charles is deposited by Christian, but this one returns temporarily to the capacity between 1467 and its death in 1470.

After having faced and beathaving beaten the armies of the Denmark and Sweden of Christian Ier with Brunkeberg in 1471, Sten Sture is elected viceroy of Sweden by the Council. This one has the support of the increasingly hostile nobility for the Denmark and tries to move away the Sweden from the Denmark. Sten Sture is driven out capacity in 1497 by Jean Ier but in 1501 until its death in recovers it 1503.

Several regents exert the power between 1503 and 1517, supported by certain factions of the nobility. The capacity in Sweden remains erratic during this period. Between 1517 and 1518, Christian II of Denmark tries to take again the capacity in Sweden by attacking Stockholm. It that point reaches in 1520 with the assistance of part of the Swedish nobility favorable to the Union of Kalmar. It makes kill the regent of Sweden, Sten Sture the Young person like his opponents among the Swedish nobility. This episode is known under the name of Blood bath of Stockholm.

Gustave Ier Vasa belongs to the Swedish nobility and is one of the principal opponents with Christian II of Denmark. It has however escaped with the massacre and is made prisoner by this last. This one succeeds in however escaping and regaining Sweden. It finds refuge in Dalécarlie where it tries to rejoin the population, strongly oppressed by the representatives of the Danish crown and suffering the consequences of the stop of the trade with the Hanseatic League.

Extremely of several successes and benefitting from another revolt in the Småland, the nobility quickly adopts the cause of Gustave and regent of Sweden in 1521 appoints it. With the support of Lübeck with which it promises the control of the foreign trade of the kingdom, Gustave will succeed in making leave the Danish forces Stockholm in 1523. The same year, Christian II of Denmark is relieved following revolts with the Denmark and in Norway and Gustave Ier Vasa enters the Swedish capital triumphantly. He is elected king of Sweden by the nobility putting definitively fine at the Union of Kalmar with regard to the Sweden.

See too

Gustave Vasa and its sons (1523 - 1611)

Restoration of Swedish economic independence

In order to give on feet the Swedish economy affected hard by the influence of Lübeck on this one, Gustave Ier decides the confiscation, in 1527, of part of the goods of the Église, those acquired since 1454, which represent then more than 20% of land rural. This decree is known under the name of Recès de Västerås.

This hard blow for the Church was amplified by the arrival of the theses of Martin Luther on the Swedish territory and the translation of the New Testament in Swedish by Olaus $petri in 1526. A Church of State adopting the theses of Luther was thus founded in 1540 after a first rupture with Rome in 1531. The revolts that could involve were quickly crushed and Gustave Ier at the same time decides to centralize even more the capacities of the State.

In same time, and always to try to improve the financial position of the kingdom, Gustave seals peace with the Denmark in 1534, then in war with Lübeck. Sweden joint with the war and thus finds its economic independence in 1536.

The institutions relating to finances and the external businesses are reformed and reinforced contributing to the erection of a centralized and powerful kingdom. In 1544, constrained Gustave the Riksdag to remove the electoral designation of the king to replace it by a hereditary system with the profit of the dynasty Vasa.

In same time, throughout the reign of Gustave, the economy still strongly centered on agriculture and the breeding knows a constant and considerable growth which contrasts clearly with the souffreteuse economy of the Moyen-âge. The population of the kingdom increases and of new areas more in north are gradually colonized. The farms of the south, where the population density intensifies, gather in villages, even downtown.

With its death in 1560, Gustave leaves a strong kingdom and to finally cleansed finances.

The War of Livonie

If this war were initiated by Gustave in 1558, he dies shortly after and it will be mainly carried out by her son Erik XIV.

His/her two brothers, Jean and Charles saw themselves bequeathing important duchies by their father. During its reign, Sweden will be opposed to the Denmark, the Russia and the Poland for the control of the Baltique, after the annexation of the Latvia by Poland. In 1561, the Sweden captures the town of Reval and starts to impose its influence apart from the Scandinavia. Sweden seeks to play a bond between the Russia and the Western Europe. However, the catch of the Estonia by Sweden involves a war seven year old of 1563 with 1570 with Denmark which Sweden will lose with the Paix of Stettin where she will see herself imposing heavy tributes.

In spite of the peace signed with Denmark, the king engages Sweden against Russia of Ivan IV in Livonie. In 1581, Sweden seizes the Estonian port of Narva. The Truce of Plussa puts an end to a war which lasted 34 years. Russia recognizes the Swedish conquests in the south of the Gulf of Finland and the conquest of Narva.

In 1595, following a news war five year old, Russia will take again the lost territories earlier twelve years.

Conflicts with the nobility

In same time, the nobility, dull under the reign of Gustave starts to again make hear its voice. Erik, seeking to still reinforce the capacity of the crown causes the anger of the nobility, his/her brothers at the head. Following that, and with the assassination by Erik of several members of the nobility, the latter revolts and in 1568 made it imprison. It is his/her brother, Jean III which inherits the crown, named by the Council which took care to abolish the hereditary succession of the throne. Initially, the new king grants new privileges to the nobility but this one refuses to yield to all their requirements.

To died of Jean III in 1592, his/her son Sigismond, then king of Poland goes up on the throne. The new catholic king, , worries the nobility which puts all works about it to limit its capacity. In 1593, Karl, duke of Södermanland and fourth wire of Gustave Ier joins together the nobility with Uppsala which adopts definitively the confession Lutheran. King Sigismond is constrained to recognize it and to guarantee to him the statute of religion of State. In 1599, Karl drives out Sigismond and becomes regent.

After the Blood bath of Linköping of 1600 where an important part of the nobility is carried out, he becomes king in 1604. Karl becomes Charles IX of Sweden and re-establishes the absolute monarchy of his/her father as well as the hereditary succession of the throne.

At the time of the Riksdag of 1604, the members of the assembly declare themselves in an irrevocable way in favor of the Protestantisme by excluding the catholics from the succession to the throne, and in their prohibiting to exert any load or dignity in Sweden. In addition, any Swede remaining catholic must be stripped of his goods and driven out kingdom.

It is during the reign of Charles IX that Sweden becomes a primarily Protestant and military monarchy. The military coloring of the mode also comes from this Riksdag of 1604 since, on request of Charles IX, a regular army is instituted in Sweden. Each province of the kingdom must then maintain and provide a fixed number of units of infantry and cavalry for the service of the State.

The Time of size of Sweden (1600 - 1718)

The militarization of the mode initiated by Charles IX and, in particular, the introduction of a regular army in 1604, will push Sweden in an expansion policy whose consequences will be felt during 120 years. The wars multiply during this period and rythment the life of the kingdom.

Modification of the constitutional order

This period, which sees the extension of the Swedish Empire abroad, is also marked by the peaceful development of the Swedish constitutional order. In this field as in all the others, it is Gustave Adolphe itself which takes the initiative.

Theoretically, the royal Council (Riksråd) remains still the capacity dominating within the state, but all the real authority is transferred gradually to the crown. The royal Council gradually loses its old role of representative of the semi-feudal aristrocratie and becomes a bureaucracy holding the principal offices, with the good pleasure of the king.

The role of the Riksdag is also modified during this period. Whereas in all the other European countries, except for the Kingdom of Poland-Lithuania and of England, the old popular representation of the states is disappearing, Sweden de Gustave Adolphe sets it up with the row of integral part of the constitution. The ordinance of 1617 on Riksdag transforms a turbulent and random assembly into a true National Assembly, meeting and deliberating according to precise rules.

One of the loads peerage-books, called initially Landmarskalk (Marshal of the diet), from now on is allotted regularly. Its holder becomes the spokesperson of the Room of Noble (Riddarhus), whereas the Primacy assumes the presidency of the three other rooms, the clergy, the middle-class and the peasants. These three states will elect then themselves their own spokespersons.

At the time of the opening of each session, the king submits to the states the royal proposals. Each state deliberates then separately on these proposals and their answers are brought to the king at the time of the following session. If the answers of the states differ between them, the king can choose the opinion which seems to him the best.

The rights of Riksdag are guaranteed by the Konungaförsakran, which is the insurance given by each king at the time of his accession to the throne, where it promises to collaborate with the states during the development of the legislation and to consult them on any question of foreign politics.

It is thus the king who takes the initiative, but the states have the king to be opposed to the proposed measures by the king at the end of each session. It is also during the reign of Gustave Adolphe that was created the secret Commission (Hemliga Utskottet), which deals with the extraordinary businesses and whose members are elected by the states.

The eleven sessions of Riskdag directed by Gustave Adolphe have all be almost exclusively occupied finding means of financing the Polish and German wars. The states showed a patriotic zeal without fault during this period.

The conflict suédo-Polish

Charles wishes to continue the enlarging of the kingdom out of the Scandinavia and runs up then against his ally, as well dynastic as territorial, Poland. After Estonia which had been recovered in 1600, he seeks to recover the Livonie. Between 1601 and 1609, efforts as well Swedish as Polish to be established in Livonie however are thwarted by the military talent of the Lithuanian general Jan Karol Chodkiewicz.

In 1608, the conflict is transferred on the Russian territory. At the beginning of the year, Charles IX is indeed combined with the tsar of Russia Vassili IV against their common enemy, the king of Poland. But in 1611, when the tsar is deposited by his own subjects, Russia seems about to crumble. The Swedish policy changes then radically, the Swedes wishing to put the hand on the Russian richnesses before the Poles. It is the beginning of the war of Ingrie.

Charles dies in 1611. Its young person wire and heir, Gustave II, goes up on the throne at 17 years.

The war of Kalmar (1611 - 1613)

The Guerre of Kalmar opposes Sweden to the Denmark. The straits connecting the the Baltic to the the North Sea being controlled by Denmark, Sweden has sought for several years to set up a new shopping street which would pass by the Lapland little populated and the North of Norway, territories belonging them-also to Denmark.

In 1607, Charles IX had proclaimed king of the Lapps and Norrland and had started to collect taxes in these areas. Tolls in the straits being the independent source of income of the kingdom of Denmark-Norway, the king Christian IV quickly opposed the Swedish will to create new trade route and protested highly.

In 1611, in answer to the Swedish claims on the north of Norway, Denmark attacks Sweden and an army of 6 ' 000 men puts the seat in front of the town of Kalmar and takes the city. The Norwegian troops stationed at the border they received the order not to attack.

October 20th, Charles IX dies and his/her son Gustave Adolphe succeeds to him. He immediately asks Sweden to conclude a peace treaty, but Christian IV then sees an opportunity of gaining a greater victory and strengthens his armies in the south of Sweden.

The Netherlands and the England, also implied in the trade at sea Baltic, however make pressure on Denmark so that it signs peace. The Danes, although equipped well and strong, miss money and are brought to signed the Traité of Knäred on January 20th, 1613.

Denmark then obtains control on Swedish Lapland and Sweden is forced to pay a strong ransom for the two fortresses which the Danes occupy. Sweden obtains on the other hand the right to be exempted toll on Sound. England and the Netherlands obtain the same rights.

The war of Ingrie (1611 - 1617)

See also: War of Ingrie

The Russian difficulty is easier to regulate and is balanced more honourably for Sweden. When Novgorod recognizes the suzerainty of Sweden, the Swedish government temporarily believes to be able to create a dominion extending until Arkhangelsk in north and Vologda in the east. The rallying of the Russian nation around the new tsar, Michel III of Russia, dissipates however this ambitious dream quickly.

At the beginning of 1616, Gustave Adolphe is convinced of impossibility of dividing reunified Russia, whereas Russia recognizes the need for paying the withdrawal of the invincible Swedes with some transfer of territory.

To the treaty of Stolbovo, signed on February 27th 1617, the tsar yields to Sweden the provinces Ingrie and of Kexholm, as well as the fortress of Nöteborg (called later Schlusselburg), which is the key of Finland. Moreover, Russia gives up any claim on the Estonia and the Livonie, and pays a war indemnity of 20 ' 000 roubles. In against part, Gustave Adolphe returns Novgorod and recognizes Michel III like tsar of Russia.

The suédo-Polish war (1621-1629)

In 1621, Gustave attacks Poland in order to take the control of Livonie, Riga is taken and becomes the most important city of the Swedish empire.

The thirty year old war (1618 - 1648)

Gustave returns then in war and beats in 1631 the army of the Germanic Roman Holy roman Empire. It continues the engagements in the south of Germany and is killed in 1632 in Lützen. Oxenstierna becomes regent under Christine, girl of Gustave; it fills the two Swedish objectives: to gather the Protestants under his aegis and to transform the German Baltic coast into advanced station. In 1643, Sweden attacks Denmark which must sign two years later the taity of Brömsebro and to yield to its enemy are islands the Baltic, Gotland and Ösel (Saaremaa) and the frontier Norwegian provinces Jämtland and Härjedalen.

With the peace of Westphalia, Sweden becomes main of the Baltic and ensures its supremacy in Northern Europe: it gains Poméranie Western, the towns of Wismar and Stettin, Mecklembourg, évêchés of Verden and Bremen which ensure to him the control of the mouths of Elba and Weser.

Swedish Empire (1648 - 1718)

Sweden launches out in colonialism in 1638 with News-Sweden to America then in 1650 with a counter to Africa to take part in the draft of the slaves. This same year, Christine makes accept her cousin Karl Gustav like heir. She abdicates in 1654 and Charles X Gustave becomes king de Suède.

He promulgates series of measure aiming at recovering the goods of the crown of the hands of the nobility. He decides into 1655 to attack Poland then in war against Russia in order to recover the Baltic coast between Poméranie and Livonie. But it must face a coalition between the Saint Worsens, Brandenbourg, Denmark and Russia. In 1657, the king prefers to invade Denmark which capitulates the following year. The treaty of Roskilde ballasts Denmark of the provinces of Scanie, Blekinge, Halland, Bohuslän and Trondheim, as well as the island of Bornholm. One second Swedish attack in 1660 which failed made lose Trondheim and Bornholm with Charles X who died of disease and left the throne to his son Charles XI, still minor (until 1672).

Sweden took share with the war against Brandenbourg at the sides of France but was overcome in 1675 in Ferhbellin. The Danes benefitted from it to invade Scanie where they remained until their expulsion by the king. Louis XIV managed to negotiate a peace making lose in Sweden only some territories in Poméranie. In 1680, Riksdag imposed the recovery of the goods of the crown to the king, which made it possible to reinflate the cases of the State and to weaken noble Swedish. After an end of reign devoted to financial reforms, Charles XI dies in 1697, leaving the capacity to his son Charles XII, fifteen years old.

To avoid another regency, the king was stated major. Auguste II, king de Pologne, the tsar of Russia Pierre the Large one, and Frederic IV, king de Danemark and of Norway are combined against the young king and attack Sweden in 1700. Charles beats Denmark then Poland which lines up at its sides against Russia in 1704. But, once in Russia, it is diverted towards the Ukraine then must flee in Turkey after its defeat with Poltava (1709). The reformed coalition, Sweden is again attacked: Denmark takes Scanie and Russia occupies Finland and the Baltic States. Income incognito in its kingdom in 1714, Charles XII mobilizes the army and attacks Norway then Danish territory. It is killed at the time of the head office of Fredriksten in 1718.Sa sister Ulrika Eleonora becomes queen with the detriment of her nephew Charles Frederic, duke of Holstein-Gottorp. N the other hand, the absolute monarchy disappeared. In 1720, her husband, Frederic I become king de Suède. He managed to obtain a very expensive peace in 1721: Prussia took part of Poméranie, Hanover Bremen and Verden; by the treaty of Nystad Sweden had to yield Livonie, Estonia, Ingrie and Eastern Karelia in Russia, which becomes thus the principal power of the area.

The Era of freedom (] - 2030)

The Era gustavienne (1772 - 1809)

The modernization of Sweden (1809 - 1866)

The industrialization of Sweden (1866 - 1907)

The Advent of the democracy in Sweden (1907 - 1920)

Between two wars in Sweden (1920 - 1939)

Sweden during the Second world war (1939 - 1945)

Sweden since 1945

Welfare state

Free trade in Europe

After the Second world war and the Treaty of Rome of 1957 establishing the European Community, Sweden was reserved as for the prospect for establishment of a Customs union and a Common Market between the European countries. It integrated the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) with six other European countries (1960).

Sweden had the appearance of a pioneer on environmental protection. It accommodated the first Sommet of the Earth, which took place with Stockholm in 1972.

Sweden does not form part of the countries which signed the Traité of Maastricht in 1992. It integrated the European Union by the Traité of Corfou in 1994. It left on this occasion the EFTA, and continuous to apply the agreements of Libre-échange with the EEE as a member of the European Community.

It should be noted that Sweden is also pionnière in the deployment of the network Internet, since it accommodates one of the 13 Serveurs roots of the DNS to Stockholm, one of the two European waiters with that of London (Anycast).

The European Council of Gothenburg specified in 2001 the European strategy in the Information systems, by including orientations of Sustainable development in the definite Stratégie of Lisbon one year earlier.

The Swedish people refused the adoption of the euro by Référendum on September 14th 2003, four days after the assassination of the Foreign Minister Anna Lindh.

Sources

  • Jörgen Weibull, Sweden: A historic insight , Swedish Institute, 1993. ISBN 9152003051

  • Lundgren Rydén, Lizelotte: Ett svenskt dilemma : socialdemokraterna, centern och EG-frågan 1957-1994 , Gothenburg: Historiska inst., Univ., 2000,319 S., (= Avhandlingar från Historiska institutionen I Gothenburg; 23) ISBN 91-88614-29-8
  • the site http://www.memo.fr/

See too

Related articles

External bonds

  • History of Sweden

Random links:July 24th | Ben' S | Ethyl Heptanoate | Championship of Italy of Serie football has 2007-2008 | Karel van of Woestijne

© 2007-2008 speedlook.com; article text available under the terms of GFDL, from fr.wikipedia.org