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Gottorp Dynasty (1751-1818)

King Frederic I died in 1751. His successor, Adolphus Frederic, was a weak, insignificant man, but his wife, Louisa Ulrika, a sister of Frederic II of Prussia, who was both talented and fond of power, desired to extend the authority of the king. However, her attempt to overthrow the "Wide-awakes" failed so hopelessly that the king and queen were still more humiliated. The king was not even able to prevent the "Wide-awakes" from attaching themselves to the enemies of Prussia in the Seven Years' War and declaring war against Frederic II.

The war was carried on so carelessly that Sweden completely forfeited her military reputation. It also aroused such indignation against the "Wide-awakes," with whose unsatisfactory government the people were already dissatisfied, that the "Nightcaps" succeeded in overthrowing them and regaining their influence. If the "Wide-awakes" had been too extravagant with public money, the "Night-caps" were too economical. They declined to give the manufacturers the large loans and the assistance on which many depended, with the result that they were compelled to stop work. On account of the consequent lack of employment and distress the "Night-caps" became so unpopular that in 1769 they were forced to give way to the "Wide-awakes."

Thus the two parties continued their struggles, without, however, allowing the phantom king to take advantage of their strife by increasing his own power ; even the threat of Adolphus Frederic that he would resign his crown had no effect. Russia, Prussia, and Denmark, who had in view the dismemberment of Sweden, naturally sought in every way to prevent any change in the constitution. Thus Sweden was threatened with the same fate which soon afterwards overtook unfortunate Poland.

Gustavus III, the son of Adolplms Frederic, came to the rescue of the country. He was on the continent at the time of his father's death, but on hearing the news at once hurried back to Sweden, firmly resolved to make an end of internal strife and to recover for the crown its former splendour. He gained the approval of the officers and soldiers for his plan. On the 19th of August, 1772, by a coup d'état he arrested the councillors and the leaders of the Estates, and on August 21 compelled the Riksdag to sanction a new constitution, by which the king received absolute power, appointed the members of the Council (which only retained the power of giving advice), and shared the legislative power with the Estates. This revolution was received with joy by the people and was effected without bloodshed ; those who had been arrested were set at liberty without being prosecuted or punished. The neighbouring nations were indignant at the coup d'etat and threatened war. Gustavus took vigorous precautions, and the storm was soon stilled.

In the years following his coup d'etat Gustavus made good use of his new powers. He was talented, learned, and affable, and having been influenced by the liberal ideas of the Encyclopaedists (which were being diffused all over Europe), he was strenuously endeavouring to carry out useful reforms. The law-courts were improved, the finances reformed, the freedom of the press was introduced, and the fetters which impeded trade and other branches of industry were removed.

Thus the first years of Gustavus' reign were fortunate for Sweden, and the king himself was very popular among the people. Gradually, however, the worse side of his nature gained the ascendancy. He was soon in want of money through his love of splendour and extravagance, and, in order to meet his necessities, he took measures which aroused great dissatisfaction, especially among the-lower classes. It was the lower classes, however, to whom he looked for support against the nobility, who could never forgive him for his coup d'état. When he observed that his popularity was declining, he thought that he could recover it by a successful war.

In 17S8 he found a pretext for declaring war against Russia, and marched through Finland, across the Russian boundary, while the fleet was instructed to sail towards St. Petersburg at the same time. But he was scarcely across the boundary when the officers mutinied, and demanded that he should summon a Riksdag and conclude peace, for he had acted unconstitutionally in declaring war without the consent of the Riksdag. Gustavus hurried back to Sweden, where he won the support of the people, who were indignant at the revolt, summoned the Riksdag, and carried the "Siikerhets-akt " (February 21, 1789), which granted him almost unlimited power. The war was continued, but the favourable opportunity was lost, and the war soon came to an end with the peace of Werelii (August 14, 1790), which in every respect confirmed the former state of affairs.

At a masked ball at Stockholm Gustavus was mortally wounded (March 16,1792) and died a few days later (March 29). Gustavus left a son, Gustavus IV (Adolphus, 1792-1309), who was not of age. The brother of Gustavus, Charles, Duke of So'dermanland, undertook the government ; he gave up the campaign which had been planned against France and remained neutral during the First Coalition. But after 1796, when Gustavus IV himself had begun to rule, Sweden's policy was changed. Gustavus was very unlike his father; he was economical, and led a strictly moral life, but was extremely narrow-minded, obstinate, and proud. He hated the French Revolution and Napoleon, and believed that he was called by God to destroy the tyrant ; accordingly he joined the Third Coalition against France (1805) and crossed over into Germany, but proved an incapable general. Notwithstanding, he would not hear of peace, and even when the allies concluded the peace of Tilsit (1807) he continued the war alone, but was in consequence drawn into war with Russia and Denmark. It is true England sent him auxiliary troops, but he lost them by his folly and obstinacy. The war brought defeat after defeat for Sweden.

The situation of Sweden was desperate. Russia and Denmark were already contemplating a partition of the country. It was then realised that, in order to save the land, the king must be set aside. Gustavus was arrested on the 13th of March at the castle of Stockholm. On the 13th of May the Estates proclaimed his depositien ; his descendants were debarred from succeeding to the Swedish crown.

After the dethronement of Gustavus the constitution was altered, and Sweden became a limited monarchy. The king retained absolute power, but in all national affairs was to consult the Council of State, which was responsible to the Estates, who met together every five years and had the sole right of levying taxes. The Duke of Sodermanland ascended the throne as Charles XIII (1809-1818).