1771-1789: Gustav III
Part 40: From Vikings to Modern Sweden: A Chronological Journey through Swedish History
King Adolf Fredrik died on February 12, 1771 of a stroke after eating a really big dinner, which ended with a traditional Swedish “semla” with hot milk (something he is still to this day remembered for)
Crown Prince Gustav, born in 1746, was abroad when the news came and rushed home to take the throne as Gustav III.
He became one of Sweden's most famous and controversial kings, both hated and loved.
Shortly after ascending the throne, Gustav began to dream of becoming a truly powerful and influential king. His father Adolf Fredrik had been a nation-unifying symbolic king without real power, also appointed as a demand from Russia. The political system with two competing parties was corrupt with both France and Russia paying large sums to get Sweden to act in the way that was favorable to them.
Gustav III wanted to change all this.
Gustav III had been king for 1,5 years when he staged his coup. On August 19, 1772, he struck and used the military to overpower and arrest the leading men behind the former political system. The coup was bloodless and over in an hour, but it secured Gustav III's power. The system with the parties “hats” and the “caps” was abandoned and the parliament’s power diminshed.
Gustav III now became an enlightened monarch with great freedom to reshape Sweden after his own taste. However, according to the grundlag (constitution) he could not start wars on his own, something he later came to violate.
But how was he as king? And why was he assassinated in 1792?
This is the first article of two about king Gustav III.
This is what happened.
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