Gustav Vasa was an important leader in Sweden from 1523 to 1560. His time as king helped turn Sweden into a strong kingdom.

Gaining Independence from Denmark: In 1523, Vasa put an end to the Kalmar Union. This meant that Sweden became independent from Denmark.

Religious Changes: In 1527, he made Lutheranism the official religion of Sweden. This change gave more power to the king and helped control the church.

Helping the Economy Grow:

• There was a lot more mining during his reign, especially for copper from the Dalecarlian mines. This helped the economy grow by about 20%.
• He also set up new trade routes. This meant Sweden could sell more iron and timber to other places.

Improving the Military: Vasa worked to make the army and navy stronger. This allowed Sweden to expand its territories.