The Age of Liberty in Sweden (1718-1772)

The Age of Liberty in Sweden was a time when democracy began to grow and develop. This change was influenced by ideas from other countries. During this period, Sweden saw more parliamentary governance. This means that the parliament, or Riksdag, had a bigger say in how the country was run. More people got involved in politics, which was a big change.

1. The Influence of Enlightenment Ideas:

• Thinkers like Montesquieu and Rousseau talked about important ideas like democracy and the separation of powers.
• Their thoughts encouraged Swedish thinkers to discuss how government should work and what rights people should have.

2. Learning from Other Countries:

• Countries such as England and the United States showed that democracy and parliamentary systems could work well.
• This inspired people in Sweden to want changes in their own country’s government.

3. Important Changes in Law:

• In 1720, a new law called the Instrument of Government changed the power of the monarchy.
• This law allowed the Swedish parliament, or Riksdag, to become more powerful.
• By 1772, the king's power was greatly reduced, which helped create a system that was more democratic.

4. More People in Politics:

• During this time, more people began to participate in the Riksdag.
• By the 1770s, there were about 500 members active in the Riksdag.
• This was a big increase from less than 300 members in earlier years.

In conclusion, ideas from other countries were very important in helping shape the democratic values and systems that started to grow in Sweden during the Age of Liberty.