The Nordic countries, like Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, did a lot to help build democracy in Europe a long time ago. They changed how people could participate in government and society, and their efforts can be broken down into a few main areas:

1. Political Changes

• New Constitutions: In 1849, Denmark created a new constitution, which was a big step for democracy in Northern Europe. Norway followed with its own constitution in 1814, which added democratic ideas. Sweden also made important changes in 1809 to limit the power of kings and queens.
• Parliament Systems: By the 19th century, all the Nordic countries were setting up systems where people could vote and elect representatives. For example, in 1866, Sweden changed its parliament, called the Riksdag, to allow more people to vote.

2. Social Movements

• Workers and Women's Rights: In the late 1800s and early 1900s, workers in the Nordic countries started organizing for better working conditions. In Sweden, these movements led to new rules that helped workers and connected democracy to fairness for all.
• Women's Right to Vote: Sweden allowed women to vote in 1919, and Norway had already done this in 1913. This inspired many other countries in Europe to fight for women's rights.

3. Getting Involved

• Education: During this time, the Nordic countries focused a lot on education. By 1900, about 90% of people could read and write in Sweden and Finland. This knowledge helped them understand and take part in democracy.
• Local Governments: Many Nordic countries had local councils called "kommuner," which gave power to citizens in their own communities. In Sweden, this local rule was very important for democracy.

4. Statistics and Impact

• By 1940, Norway was close to allowing everyone to vote, while Sweden and Denmark were not far behind. The ways they built their democracies became examples for other European countries.

In summary, the Nordic countries worked hard on political changes, social rights, and getting citizens involved in their communities. Their efforts not only improved democracy in their own countries but also helped inspire democratic movements across Europe during that time.