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II. THE SWEDISH PEOPLE.
Out of the Revolution evolved the still-existing Constitution of 1809, which
has given Sweden over a hundred years of internal and external peace, with a
great material and intellectual development, under the protection of a
constitutional form of government. The Kings of Sweden during the time have been
Charles XIII (1809—18), Charles XIV John (1818—44) — the first of the line
of Bernadottes to ascend the throne — Oscar I (1844—59), Charles XV
(1859—72), Oscar II (1872—1907) and Gust.avus V (since 1907).
The first years after 1809 brought with them notable events in the sphere of
foreign politics, viz. the participation of Sweden in the war of liberation against
Napoleon (1813) — in which Sweden, thanks to the personal qualities of Charles
John, the heir-apparent, played a highly important part — and the union
with Norway (1814). In compensation for the loss of Finland Sweden had,
while helping in the struggle against Napoleon, obtained the promise of a union
with Norway; and Charles John had compelled the consent of Denmark by force
of arms. Norway, however, did not regard herself as bound by this arrangement,
but at Eidswold in 1814 adopted a very democratic constitution and chose the
Danish stadholder and heir-apparent Christian Frederick as king on 17 May. The
latter however, could not hold out against Charles John; but abdicated the throne
by the convention of Moss, 14 August 1814, after which the Norwegian
representative assembly or Storthing assented to recognize the union and on 4
No-vembés. chose Charles XIII as king.
On tne conclusion of peace with Denmark, Sweden handed over to that country,
in compensation for Norway, its last possession on the other side of the Baltic
— the northern part of Hither Pomerania. Since that time the two nations
inhabiting the Scandinavian peninsula, sheltered by the encompassing seas from
sudden invasion, have pursued a strictly defensive and peaceful policy, and not
unnecessarily interfering in the affairs of Europe.
For some decades the Scandinavian Movement appeared in great strength,
expressing itself in an endeavour to unite more closely the three Scandinavian
peoples, Swedes, Norwegians, and Danes, at first in a political sense, but
afterwards in cultural and economic respects. The results gained are chiefly in the
sphere of jurisprudence, where, in many important respects, the three nations
have approached each other, in some cases to the extent of identical legislation.
The influence of the Scandinavian Movement upon literature, science, and art,
has also been of great importance.
As regards the internal politics of Sweden during this period, we may notice
the important change in the composition of the Riksdag, in 1865, by the
abolition of the Four Estates, and their replacement by two chambers, in accordance
with modern parliamentary forms — yet one more of those revolutions carried
out under legal forms, in which the history of Sweden abounds. This change
was completed in 1909, just one hundred years after the establishment of a
constitutional form of government, by the introduction of universal suffrage for the
Second Chamber and proportional representation for both Chambers.
The ensuing period has been marked chiefly by political controversies waged
around the question of Sweden’s defences; in 1901 the Army and Navy were
reorganized on the basis of universal conscription; but the necessity of still
stronger defences having made itself poignantly felt, the Riksdag in September
1914, ultimately agreed upon a thorough-going defence programme.
The Swedo-Norwegian Union never fulfilled the expectations formed by its
framers. The defects of the treaty of union might have been remedied with a spice
of good will; but this was frustrated by Norway’s constant mistrust of Sweden and
ears off her schemes for supremacy. The efforts made on the part of Sweden
to maintain the union in spite of constant rubs, — which could not fail to
evoke dissatisfaction with the union also among the Swedish people — were
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