| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Stockholm. |
Stockholm History
|
|
At the end of the Ice Age,
glacial movements unlocked the land that was submerged underwater.
Islands, now Sweden, rose to the surface. Humans first arrived
around 6000 BC. Later Vikings called Sweden their home and
ruled the region for centuries. The region didn’t begin
to flourish until medieval times.
During the period when Christianity took it’s foothold,
|
Sweden was ruled by Eric IX. New trade laws were formed and Stockholm
began its rise. Merchant fortunes grew as new relationships were
established amongst Ha
nseatic League port towns. The League consisted
of trade towns throughout Germany and along the Baltic Coastline.
Fearful of Germany’s growing power, Queen Margaret attempted
to unite Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The underline rationale was
to shift trade away from the Hanseatic League. The union eventually
collapsed as a result of revolts lead by merchants in favor of trade
within the Hanseatic League.
Sweden, Norway, and Denmark later became governed by the same rule.
For years, conflicts broke out between separatists and unionist.
The disputes reached a climax in 1520 when 82 Swedish nobles were
charged and sentenced, by the Danish King, for burning down the
archbishop’s castle. The men were beheaded. The horrific event
became known as the Stockholm Blood Bath. Gustav Vasa, another Swedish
noble, lead a revolt, captured Stockholm, expulsed Danes, and became
King. Hence, the Vasa dynasty began.
Gustav IV led Sweden into the Third Coalition against France in
1805. Sweden suffered huge losses. Gustav IV was overthrown in 1808.
Afterwards, a new constitution was drafted that gave Parliament
equal power with the King. Napoleon established his aide, Jean Bernadotte,
as the heir to the Swedish thrown. Bernadotte ruled Sweden and Norway
as Charles XIV. His bloodline is still on the thrown today.
Norway declared independence from Swedish rule in 1905. Sweden
accepted their independence. In 1946, Sweden joined the United Nations.
More Information
 www.state.gov
|
|
|
Stockholm Travel Guides
Frommer's Stockholm
Lonely Planet Stockholm
Let's Go Stockholm
Fodors Stockholm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
