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II. THE SWEDISH PEOPLE.
To follow the changes of the population of Sweden is on the whole to
follow the history of its people. This wide subject can only be lightly
touched upon here.
It was generally believed in former days that, during the early Middle
Ages (before the Black Death at the middle of the 14th century), Sweden
possessed a population of many millions, but this view has now been
abandoned. According to the figures given in the table, Sweden had,
in 1570, a population of about 900 000 within the present boundaries.
The 17th century, so full of glory and suffering for Sweden, seems, in
spite of the almost constant succession of wars, to have brought with
it no inconsiderable increase of population, so that, at the close of that
century, Sweden probably possessed, within its present boundaries, a
population of close upon l1/2 millions.
During the first two decades of the 18th century, very great loss was
caused to the nation by the "Great Northern War". The restoration of
peace was followed by a generation (1721—55) of quieter times, during
which the people gathered fresh strength and made considerable progress,
both economic and intellectual in its scope (Linné and his pupils, etc.).
During this period, the population of Sweden increased by nearly 10 %„
annually, a rate of increase which, at that time, could hardly have been
equalled in many countries of Europe. At the close of 1767, Sweden
completed its second million of population.
Less gratifying is the history of the people during the sixty years
between 1757 and 1813, distinguished by new losses and sufferings of
many different kinds, which did not fail to leave their mark in a lowered
rate of increase in the population. Finally, in 1809, Finland, the ancient
daughter of Sweden, was lost; five years later the union with Norway
was effected, and we reach the beginning of "recent times".
The century of unlbroken peace, with which the nation has since been
blessed, commenced with a period of fifty years, 1815—66, during which
the population increased more quickly than was the case either before or
after. It was the last epoch of the old, and more patriarchal industrial
system, which had hitherto flourished in Sweden. During the decades
which have passed since then, the country has been drawn within the
sphere of modern industrial concentration and international competition, and
this under conditions which have been rather unfavourable to the people
in many respects. It cannot surprise us, then, that this period of
transition brought with it economic difficulties, expressing themselves among
other ways in rapid emigration, which consequently lowered the rate of
increase of population. Since that, it is true, industrial life has developed,
but not adequately enough to maintain a normal rate of increase of
population. Still the increase has proceeded faster in the most recent
times than a generation back. The population, which in 1835 amounted
to 3 millions, and in 1863 to fully 4 millions, at the close of 1897 exceeded
5 millions, and at the present moment exceeds 5-6 millions.
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