The Age of Liberty in Sweden
The Age of Liberty in Sweden lasted from 1718 to 1772. This was a very important time when big changes happened in politics and society. Sweden moved from being ruled by a king to having a system where people could vote and have a say in their government.
New Rules for Government: In 1720, a new set of rules called the Instrument of Government was created. This allowed people to have a say in the government, which is known as parliamentary democracy. While the king lost some power, by 1772, he started to regain some control, but the idea of a parliamentary system stayed strong.
Political Groups Forming: During this time, new political groups called the Hats and the Caps appeared. These groups let more people get involved in politics, which meant more voices were heard in how the country was run.
Nobility: The noble class lost some of their power because the new government system rewarded people for their skills and hard work instead of just their family background. By the end of the 18th century, the nobles owned only about 20% of the land, down from 40% earlier.
Merchants: The merchant class, known as burghers, became more important in politics. By 1750, about 10% of the population were burghers, and they had more say in the national assembly called the Riksdag.
Farmers: Farmers, or peasants, saw improvements thanks to new laws that protected their rights. Starting in 1734, reforms gave them more control over land, which helped farming become more productive. By 1770, agricultural output increased by 20%.
During the Age of Liberty, some women began to take part in public life. By 1770, almost 30% of women were involved in business or local government. This was a step towards greater equality between men and women.
Trade grew a lot during this time. Exports nearly tripled from 1700 to 1760. This showed that Sweden's economy was changing and developing, altering social roles throughout the country.
Overall, the Age of Liberty was a time of great change in Sweden. It set the stage for a more equal society and changed social structures that shaped modern Sweden.
The Age of Liberty in Sweden
The Age of Liberty in Sweden lasted from 1718 to 1772. This was a very important time when big changes happened in politics and society. Sweden moved from being ruled by a king to having a system where people could vote and have a say in their government.
New Rules for Government: In 1720, a new set of rules called the Instrument of Government was created. This allowed people to have a say in the government, which is known as parliamentary democracy. While the king lost some power, by 1772, he started to regain some control, but the idea of a parliamentary system stayed strong.
Political Groups Forming: During this time, new political groups called the Hats and the Caps appeared. These groups let more people get involved in politics, which meant more voices were heard in how the country was run.
Nobility: The noble class lost some of their power because the new government system rewarded people for their skills and hard work instead of just their family background. By the end of the 18th century, the nobles owned only about 20% of the land, down from 40% earlier.
Merchants: The merchant class, known as burghers, became more important in politics. By 1750, about 10% of the population were burghers, and they had more say in the national assembly called the Riksdag.
Farmers: Farmers, or peasants, saw improvements thanks to new laws that protected their rights. Starting in 1734, reforms gave them more control over land, which helped farming become more productive. By 1770, agricultural output increased by 20%.
During the Age of Liberty, some women began to take part in public life. By 1770, almost 30% of women were involved in business or local government. This was a step towards greater equality between men and women.
Trade grew a lot during this time. Exports nearly tripled from 1700 to 1760. This showed that Sweden's economy was changing and developing, altering social roles throughout the country.
Overall, the Age of Liberty was a time of great change in Sweden. It set the stage for a more equal society and changed social structures that shaped modern Sweden.