2.5.7 Modern Nordic history
Description
This article is from the Nordic countries FAQ, by Antti Lahelma and Johan Olofsson, with numerous contributions by others.
2.5.7 Modern Nordic history
Western Scandinavia 1536-1645
After a civil war 1534-36 the Hanseatic Leaugue lost its influence in
the Danish realm. Lutheran Reformation follows. Norway is formally
incorporated. Until the Thirty Years' War Denmark keeps her position
as the leading power of Norden.
Eastern Scandinavia 1521-1560
Lutheran Reformation contributes to the creation of a National State
in Sweden with a strong central administration and a king independent
of the nobility and the pope.
Eastern Scandinavia 1560-1660
Territorial gains in Germany, the Baltic lands and in Scandinavia. The
state administration gets controlled by the nobility.
The Thirty Years' War 1618-1648
The Thirty Years' War results in a radically weakened Holy Roman
Empire of the German Nation. After an unsuccessful mission in the
early phase of the war Denmark keeps out of it, and does not gain any
direct favors from Germany's weakness. Sweden have more luck in the
war, and comes out of it as Europe's leading Lutheran Power.
Western Scandinavia 1645-1814
Denmark (with Norway) lose several provinces to Sweden, and after
having been literally threatened by eradication in 1658 and having
lost its richest province, Scania, the High Nobility is deemed unfit
for governing the realm and Royal Autocracy is enforced. Denmark
balances between revanchism and careful foreign policy aimed at peace
with the strengthened Sweden. After several unsuccessful attempts to
regain at least Scania, and after Sweden again is weakened after 1709,
Denmark (with Norway) experience a peacful century until the
Napoleonic wars hit also Denmark, leeding to Norway 1814 being ceeded
to Sweden (75% of the realm's territory, however only a minute
proportion of its population and tax-incomes).
Eastern Scandinavia 1660-1808
Successive losses of territories in south eastern Finland and outside
of Fennoscandia. The nobility's position is step by step weakened.
Royal Autocracy is enacted by the Estates in 1680. After the
disastrous war with Russia 1700-1721 the government is taken over by
the Estates, and then again in 1771-1809 succeeded by Royal Autocracy.
Nortern Scandinavia 1809-1918
Sweden lose the eastern half of the realm to Russia. Revolution in
Sweden: Governmental power is shared by king and Estates. Finland as a
Grand Duchy ruled by the Emperor of Russia gets isolated from the rest
of Norden.
Rest-Sweden is in personal union with Norway 1814-1905, whereafter the
union is peacefully abolished and Norway again a totally independent
kingdom of its own.
Southern Scandinavia 1814-1901
Social, educational and constitutional reforms in Denmark. The Royal
Authocracy is abolished in 1848. In 1864 also Schleswig, Holstein and
Lauenburg are lost to Prussia.
20th century
* Norway gains independency from Sweden; Finland gains independency
from Russia; and Iceland gains independency from Denmark.
Greenland, the Faroe Islands and the Åland islands get self rule.
* Parliamentarism, democracy and great social reforms are introduced
in all Nordic states.
* Norden is spared from the First World War, however Finland
experience a bitter and bloody Civil War between Reds and Whites
parallel with the War in Russia between Reds and Whites after the
Communist Revolution.
* Denmark and Norway are occupied during World War II. Finland is
involved in two wars with Russia (the second in co-operation with
Germany) and then another war to chase German troops out of
Northern Finland.
* Norway and Denmark joins Nato. Denmark, Sweden and Finland joins
the European Union.
Continue to:
My Books
