Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden (b. 1710)

Adolf Frederick (Swedish: Adolf Fredrik, German: Adolf Friedrich), born on May 14, 1710, and passing away on February 12, 1771, served as the King of Sweden from 1751 until his death. His reign, spanning two decades, unfolded during a significant era in Swedish history known as the Age of Liberty (Frihetstiden), a period fundamentally characterized by a substantial transfer of political power from the monarch to the Riksdag of the Estates (the Swedish parliament).

He was the son of Christian August of Holstein-Gottorp, who held the title of Prince of Eutin, and Albertina Frederica of Baden-Durlach. Adolf Frederick’s ascension marked the beginning of the House of Holstein-Gottorp's rule over Sweden, a dynastic link that would also connect the Swedish royal house to the future Russian imperial family through his first cousin, who became Peter III of Russia, emphasizing the intricate web of European royalty.

Ascension to the Swedish Throne: A Political Compromise

Adolf Frederick became the first monarch from the House of Holstein-Gottorp to occupy the Swedish throne, but his path to kingship was far from straightforward or based on traditional succession. He was primarily installed as the heir apparent in 1743, following a turbulent period marked by the failed Russo-Swedish War of 1741–1743, often referred to as the Hat's Russian War. This conflict, initiated by the ruling Hat party, aimed to reconquer Sweden's lost Baltic provinces—territories such as Estonia, Livonia, Ingria, and parts of Finland—which had been ceded to Russia after the Great Northern War. The disastrous outcome of this war severely weakened the Hat administration's standing and created a political vacuum.

In the aftermath of this military and political debacle, the Swedish Riksdag, eager to secure peace and find a suitable successor to the childless King Frederick I, faced external pressure from Empress Elizabeth of Russia. She insisted on the election of Adolf Frederick, her second cousin and administrator of the Duchy of Holstein-Gottorp, as a condition for a favorable peace treaty. Consequently, he was elected Crown Prince in 1743 and finally ascended to the throne in 1751, a decision driven more by geopolitical necessity and parliamentary power than by hereditary right, solidifying his role as a monarch beholden to the Riksdag.

A Figurehead Monarch: The Struggle for Power

From the moment of his coronation, Adolf Frederick was widely perceived as a weak monarch. This perception stemmed directly from the political realities of the Age of Liberty, where the Riksdag of the Estates had assumed legislative power, effectively reducing the king to a constitutional figurehead. His role was largely ceremonial, encompassing duties such as signing decrees and overseeing the Privy Council, with little direct influence over state policy.

Despite this diminished role, there were significant attempts to restore the absolute monarchy, largely supported by pro-absolutist factions within the nobility and fueled by his ambitious queen, Lovisa Ulrika of Prussia. Lovisa Ulrika, sister of Frederick the Great, found the constraints on royal power frustrating and actively sought to reclaim the prerogatives enjoyed by previous Swedish monarchs. The most notable of these efforts was the "Queen's Revolution" (Drottningens revolution) in 1756, a planned coup d'état aimed at abolishing the parliamentary system and restoring royal absolutism. This conspiracy, however, was uncovered and ultimately failed, leading to severe repercussions for its participants and further entrenching the power of the Riksdag over the monarch. Adolf Frederick, though implicated, survived this political turmoil, but his inability to assert royal authority remained a defining characteristic of his reign until his death.

Key Developments and Policies During Adolf Frederick's Reign

Adolf Frederick's reign, despite his limited personal power, coincided with several crucial developments in Swedish society and politics.

Internal Peace and Economic Stagnation

One of the defining features of his time on the throne was an extended period of internal peace for Sweden. Following decades of devastating wars, this stability allowed for societal consolidation, though it did not immediately translate into economic prosperity. The national finances, unfortunately, suffered from stagnation, largely due to the rigid mercantilist doctrines championed by the ruling Hat administration. Mercantilism, an economic theory prevalent in Europe during this era, advocated for government regulation of the economy to maximize exports and accumulate wealth, typically in the form of gold and silver. However, in Sweden, these policies often led to inflation, economic imbalances, and a lack of innovation, contributing to a persistent financial crisis and public discontent.

The Rise of the Caps and Economic Liberalism

The failures of the Hat administration's economic policies eventually led to their downfall. During the crucial Riksdag session of 1765–66, the opposition Cap party (Mössorna) successfully ousted the Hats (Hattarna) from power and took over the government. This political shift signaled a new direction for Sweden, as the Caps, generally advocating for a more pragmatic and fiscally conservative approach, began to enact significant reforms. Central to their agenda was a move towards greater economic liberalism, aimed at dismantling some of the protectionist and restrictive mercantilist regulations. These reforms sought to encourage free trade, reduce state intervention, and foster a more open and dynamic economy, laying groundwork for future economic development.

The Groundbreaking Freedom of Press Act of 1766

Perhaps the most significant and enduring legacy of this period, particularly under the Cap administration, was the enactment of the Freedom of Press Act (Tryckfrihetsförordningen) in 1766. This landmark legislation is globally recognized as one of the world's first laws to extensively curtail censorship. Its principles were revolutionary for its time, establishing a profound degree of public access to government documents and abolishing almost all forms of pre-publication censorship, a practice then common across Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adolf Frederick's Reign

When did Adolf Frederick reign as King of Sweden?
Adolf Frederick reigned as King of Sweden from 1751 until his death in 1771, a period of 20 years during the Age of Liberty.
Was Adolf Frederick a powerful monarch?
No, Adolf Frederick was considered a weak monarch, largely serving as a constitutional figurehead. During the Age of Liberty, actual political power resided with the Riksdag of the Estates, the Swedish parliament, rather than the king.
What was the House of Holstein-Gottorp's significance?
Adolf Frederick was the first Swedish king from the House of Holstein-Gottorp. This dynastic connection also linked the Swedish royal family to the Russian imperial family, as his first cousin, who shared the Holstein-Gottorp lineage, became Peter III of Russia.
What was the "Queen's Revolution"?
The "Queen's Revolution" refers to a failed coup attempt in 1756 by Queen Lovisa Ulrika, Adolf Frederick's wife, supported by pro-absolutist nobles. Her aim was to abolish the parliamentary system and restore absolute monarchy, but the conspiracy was uncovered by the Riksdag.
What was the Freedom of Press Act of 1766?
The Freedom of Press Act of 1766 was a landmark legislation enacted during Adolf Frederick's reign, making Sweden one of the first nations in the world to introduce a constitutional law significantly curtailing censorship. It promoted governmental transparency by allowing public access to official documents and largely abolished pre-publication censorship, with only specific exceptions for libel against the monarch or the Church.