Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XVI. Reign of Gustavus III, 1771–1792 - A. The Coup d’Etat of 1772
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280 A History of Sweden
required heroic action, for to appeal to the patriotism
of the party leaders was futile.
The Kings Appeal to Officers and Soldiers. In the
beginning of August, 1772, the rulers of Russia, Prus-
sia, and Austria signed "in the Name of the Holy Trin-
ity" their agreement to partition Poland in order "to
preserve mutual good will among themselves and re-
store peace and order in Poland." On the 19th of the
same month the fate of Sweden as an independent state
was decided. At the change of guards at the palace in
Stockholm, on that day, the king called the officers and
their subordinates into the guard-hall.
There he began, "pale and deeply moved," to address
them. In vivid colors he pictured conditions in Sweden.
The root of the evil lay in the arbitrary government
of the many. It was this which he aimed to destroy,
and restore Sweden’s time-honored liberty under law.
He closed his powerful and convincing address with
the words : "Will you follow me with the same loyalty
as your fathers did Gustavus Vasa and Gustavus Adol-
phus? Then I will venture my life and blood for you and
your country’s salvation." There was a moment of
silence, a fateful moment. Then sounded a voice : "We
offer life and blood in Your Majesty’s service." This
promise was followed by a deafening "Yes." With the
same enthusiasm the men outside pledged support to
their king.
The Revolution Became a Celebration. But through-
out the city rumors spread as to what was taking place
at the palace. People rushed thither, but found the
gates closed. Was the king a captive? Perhaps de-
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