December Crisis (1768)
Political Crisis in Sweden
CLASSIFICATION: Political Crisis
LOCATION
Sweden
TIME PERIOD
December 1768
VICTIMS
0 confirmed
In December 1768, a political crisis unfolded in Sweden when King Adolf Frederick refused to sign state documents, protesting his limited powers and effectively paralyzing the government. This act of defiance culminated in his formal resignation on December 15, aiming to prompt the assembly of a new Riksdag of the Estates to propose reforms for increased royal authority. The crisis led to a tense political environment, with factions within the court, including the Hovpartiet, advocating for a coup to establish an absolute monarchy, while Queen Louisa Ulrika opposed such measures. By December 20, the government agreed to convene the Riksdag and promised reforms, allowing the king to retake the throne and restoring governmental function, though the Riksdag was not convened until 1769 and resulted in minimal changes to royal power.
The Hovpartiet believed the December Crisis could be leveraged to stage a coup that would establish an absolute monarchy in Sweden. However, Queen Louisa Ulrika opposed this idea, advocating instead for negotiation with the opposing political factions, the Hats and the Caps. Ultimately, the crisis was resolved when the government agreed to assemble the Riksdag and promised reforms, allowing King Adolf Frederick to reclaim the throne.
The December Crisis of 1768: A Royal Rebellion in Sweden
In the wintry month of December 1768, Sweden found itself teetering on the brink of a political upheaval. The man at the center of this storm was none other than King Adolf Frederick, a monarch frustrated by the shackles of his limited power. His bold act of defiance ignited a crisis that would bring Swedish governance to a standstill and prompt the convening of a new Riksdag of the Estates.
Background
The roots of this crisis can be traced back to the ongoing power struggles within the Swedish monarchy. Traditionally, King Adolf Frederick had been more of a figurehead, with the real political maneuvers often orchestrated by his wife, Queen Louisa Ulrika of Prussia. However, in 1767, a new dynamic was introduced when Louis Auguste Le Tonnelier de Breteuil, the French envoy, proposed a coup to bolster the royal power to the Hovpartiet, a faction supporting the royal house.
The Crisis Unfolds
Fast forward to December 1768, when King Adolf Frederick took an unprecedented step. He refused to sign crucial state documents—a protest against his curtailed authority. This act of defiance reached a climax on December 15, when the king formally resigned his throne. His abdication was strategic, aimed at forcing a new Riksdag session to discuss potential reforms that would expand his powers. However, this move left Sweden in a precarious position, effectively creating an interregnum as the nation found itself without a reigning monarch.
During this turbulent period, the Hovpartiet saw an opportunity. They suggested leveraging the crisis to stage a coup and establish an absolute monarchy. Yet, Queen Louisa Ulrika, ever the strategist, advised caution. She believed the time was not ripe for such drastic measures and advocated for negotiations with the political parties known as the Hats and the Caps. In a surprising turn, the Hovpartiet, for the first time, approached the Crown Prince instead of the queen. Their efforts, however, were thwarted when the Caps party reneged on a crucial agreement, rendering a coup unfeasible.
Resolution and Aftermath
The crisis reached its resolution on December 20, when the government conceded to convene the Riksdag and promised to implement new reforms. With this assurance, King Adolf Frederick agreed to reclaim his throne, thus averting further chaos and allowing the government to resume its functions.
Despite these dramatic events, the anticipated Riksdag did not convene until 1769, and when it did, the results were underwhelming. Instead of substantial reforms, the royal house received nothing more than an increase in allowance, leaving the balance of power largely unchanged.
Conclusion
The December Crisis of 1768 stands as a testament to the complex interplay of power, politics, and personality within the Swedish monarchy. It was a moment when a king sought to break the chains of ceremonial rule, only to find that the path to absolute power was fraught with obstacles and opposition.
Sources
For more details, you can refer to the following sources:
- Adolf Fredrik, urn:sbl:5574, Svenskt biografiskt lexikon
- Olof Jägerskiöld (1945). Lovisa Ulrika. Stockholm: Wahlström & Widstrand. ISBN.
Explore more about this fascinating episode in Swedish history on Wikipedia.
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King Refuses to Sign Documents
Adolf Frederick demonstrates against his limited powers by refusing to sign state documents, paralyzing the government.
King Resigns Throne
Adolf Frederick formally resigns his throne to prompt the gathering of a new Riksdag for reforms.
Government Agrees to Riksdag
The government agrees to assemble the Riksdag and promises new reforms, allowing the king to retake the throne.
Crisis Averted
The political crisis is resolved as the government can function again after the king's return to power.
Riksdag Assembled
The Riksdag is assembled, but it only results in an increased allowance for the royal house, not significant reforms.
In December 1768, a political crisis unfolded in Sweden when King Adolf Frederick refused to sign state documents, protesting his limited powers and effectively paralyzing the government. This act of defiance culminated in his formal resignation on December 15, aiming to prompt the assembly of a new Riksdag of the Estates to propose reforms for increased royal authority. The crisis led to a tense political environment, with factions within the court, including the Hovpartiet, advocating for a coup to establish an absolute monarchy, while Queen Louisa Ulrika opposed such measures. By December 20, the government agreed to convene the Riksdag and promised reforms, allowing the king to retake the throne and restoring governmental function, though the Riksdag was not convened until 1769 and resulted in minimal changes to royal power.
The Hovpartiet believed the December Crisis could be leveraged to stage a coup that would establish an absolute monarchy in Sweden. However, Queen Louisa Ulrika opposed this idea, advocating instead for negotiation with the opposing political factions, the Hats and the Caps. Ultimately, the crisis was resolved when the government agreed to assemble the Riksdag and promised reforms, allowing King Adolf Frederick to reclaim the throne.
The December Crisis of 1768: A Royal Rebellion in Sweden
In the wintry month of December 1768, Sweden found itself teetering on the brink of a political upheaval. The man at the center of this storm was none other than King Adolf Frederick, a monarch frustrated by the shackles of his limited power. His bold act of defiance ignited a crisis that would bring Swedish governance to a standstill and prompt the convening of a new Riksdag of the Estates.
Background
The roots of this crisis can be traced back to the ongoing power struggles within the Swedish monarchy. Traditionally, King Adolf Frederick had been more of a figurehead, with the real political maneuvers often orchestrated by his wife, Queen Louisa Ulrika of Prussia. However, in 1767, a new dynamic was introduced when Louis Auguste Le Tonnelier de Breteuil, the French envoy, proposed a coup to bolster the royal power to the Hovpartiet, a faction supporting the royal house.
The Crisis Unfolds
Fast forward to December 1768, when King Adolf Frederick took an unprecedented step. He refused to sign crucial state documents—a protest against his curtailed authority. This act of defiance reached a climax on December 15, when the king formally resigned his throne. His abdication was strategic, aimed at forcing a new Riksdag session to discuss potential reforms that would expand his powers. However, this move left Sweden in a precarious position, effectively creating an interregnum as the nation found itself without a reigning monarch.
During this turbulent period, the Hovpartiet saw an opportunity. They suggested leveraging the crisis to stage a coup and establish an absolute monarchy. Yet, Queen Louisa Ulrika, ever the strategist, advised caution. She believed the time was not ripe for such drastic measures and advocated for negotiations with the political parties known as the Hats and the Caps. In a surprising turn, the Hovpartiet, for the first time, approached the Crown Prince instead of the queen. Their efforts, however, were thwarted when the Caps party reneged on a crucial agreement, rendering a coup unfeasible.
Resolution and Aftermath
The crisis reached its resolution on December 20, when the government conceded to convene the Riksdag and promised to implement new reforms. With this assurance, King Adolf Frederick agreed to reclaim his throne, thus averting further chaos and allowing the government to resume its functions.
Despite these dramatic events, the anticipated Riksdag did not convene until 1769, and when it did, the results were underwhelming. Instead of substantial reforms, the royal house received nothing more than an increase in allowance, leaving the balance of power largely unchanged.
Conclusion
The December Crisis of 1768 stands as a testament to the complex interplay of power, politics, and personality within the Swedish monarchy. It was a moment when a king sought to break the chains of ceremonial rule, only to find that the path to absolute power was fraught with obstacles and opposition.
Sources
For more details, you can refer to the following sources:
- Adolf Fredrik, urn:sbl:5574, Svenskt biografiskt lexikon
- Olof Jägerskiöld (1945). Lovisa Ulrika. Stockholm: Wahlström & Widstrand. ISBN.
Explore more about this fascinating episode in Swedish history on Wikipedia.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
King Refuses to Sign Documents
Adolf Frederick demonstrates against his limited powers by refusing to sign state documents, paralyzing the government.
King Resigns Throne
Adolf Frederick formally resigns his throne to prompt the gathering of a new Riksdag for reforms.
Government Agrees to Riksdag
The government agrees to assemble the Riksdag and promises new reforms, allowing the king to retake the throne.
Crisis Averted
The political crisis is resolved as the government can function again after the king's return to power.
Riksdag Assembled
The Riksdag is assembled, but it only results in an increased allowance for the royal house, not significant reforms.