Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XVII. Reign of Gustavus IV Adolphus, 1792–1809 - D. Deposition of Gustavus IV Adolphus
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Gustavus IV Adolphus Deposed 311
mercifully among the starving soldiers, and nursing
1
was terribly neglected. Those who returned to their
homes came covered with rags, tottering like old men,
and many with frozen limbs were crippled for life.
Causes of the Failure. The king alone was not to
blame for all this misery. Many of the high officers
and political leaders must share the blame with him.
They imagined that if they could only rid themselves
of the stubborn despot, Napoleon could be made their
ally. Hence, they placed many obstacles in the king’s
way, even for the proper equipment of the militia, thus
adding to the king’s burdens, causing his head to reel
and his mind to become clouded.
The king had never secured his people’s confidence
and co-operation, and hence it was easy to make him
the scapegoat for- all the ills of the country. The opin-
ion spread more and more that he alone was to blame
for the loss of Finland and for the sacrifice of the mili-
tia, the flower of the country’s youth. It was thought
best therefore to remove him from the throne.
The Arrest and Deposition of the King. On the 13th
of March, 1809, Adlercreutz and a few followers sud-
denly entered the king’s room in the palace to seize the
person of the king. Gustavus drew his sword, but was
at once disarmed. He escaped through a secret door to
the courtyard and rushed toward the palace guard for
protection. But he was arrested and carried back to
his room. He was kept in custody until a Riksdag as-
sembled and formally deposed him and extended the
forfeiture of the crown also to his descendants (May
10). The king and his family were exiled from the
country. His mental queerness increased, he separated
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