Ancient times and the Viking Age (800–1050)
People have lived in Sweden since the ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. During the Bronze Age and Iron Age, several cultures emerged with trade and crafts.
The Viking Age (ca. 800–1050 AD) is one of the most famous eras in the history of Scandinavia. Swedish Vikings moved mainly eastwards – along the rivers through Russia and Ukraine to Constantinople (Istanbul) and Baghdad. They are sometimes called Varangians and Rus.
Medieval Sweden and the Kalmar Union
During the Middle Ages, Sweden was Christianized and the church's influence increased. Cities such as Stockholm, Uppsala and Visby were founded and flourished by trade. In 1397, the Kalmar Union was formed - a union between Sweden, Denmark and Norway under a common king.
- The Kalmar Union 1397–1523: Sweden, Denmark and Norway under one king
- Gustav Vasa was elected Swedish king on June 6, 1523 – freed Sweden from the union
- Gustav Vasa carried out the Reformation: Sweden switched from Catholicism to Lutheranism
- The Bible was translated into Swedish during the 16th century – important for the standardization of the Swedish language
Great Power Era (17th century)
During the 17th century, Sweden became a major power in northern Europe. Under King Gustav II Adolf, Sweden participated in the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) and controlled large parts of the Baltic coast. Sweden was one of Europe's most important military and political powers.
Finland - part of Sweden for 700 years
Finland was part of the Swedish Empire for about 700 years, from the 13th century to 1809. The Finnish and Swedish cultures and laws were woven together during this time. Swedish is still an official language in Finland.
In the war against Russia in 1808–1809, Sweden lost Finland. Sweden received a new constitution in 1809 that severely limited the king's power and laid the foundation for the modern parliamentary system.
Union with Norway 1814–1905
As compensation for having lost Finland, in 1814 Sweden was given the right to enter into a union with Norway (in connection with the Napoleonic Wars). The union was dissolved peacefully in 1905 when Norway chose to become an independent state.
Industrialization and emigration (1850–1930)
During the second half of the 19th century, Sweden industrialized rapidly. Railroads were expanded, factories arose and cities grew. But industrialization went unevenly – many farmers lived in poverty.
Approximately one million Swedes emigrated to America between 1850 and 1930 in the hope of a better life. Most settled in the Midwestern, in states like Minnesota and Illinois.
Breakthrough of Democracy (1909–1921)
Sweden gained universal suffrage in stages. The men got the right to vote in the 1909 parliamentary election (municipal suffrage came a little earlier). Women got the right to vote in 1921 – the first parliamentary election in which women could participate was in 1921.
- 1907: Men got the right to vote in municipal elections (with income limit)
- 1909: Almost all men were allowed to vote in the parliamentary elections
- 1921: Full universal and equal suffrage – also for women
- 1921: First parliamentary election with both male and female voters and candidates
Folkhemmet and the Swedish model
In 1928, the leader of the Social Democrats, Per Albin Hansson, formulated the concept of the "people's home" - a society where everyone, regardless of class or background, should have equal dignity and security. The vision came to govern Swedish politics for decades.
In 1938, the Saltsjöbads Agreement was concluded between LO (the trade union) and SAF (the employers). It laid the foundation for the Swedish labor market model – cooperation and negotiation instead of conflicts and strikes.
World War II – Neutrality and Controversy
Sweden was officially neutral during World War II (1939–1945). But neutrality was not without controversy. Sweden allowed German troops to be transported on Swedish railways, which was heavily criticized. However, Sweden accepted thousands of refugees, including Danish and Norwegian Jews.
- Raoul Wallenberg: Swedish diplomat in Budapest in 1944; issued protective passports to tens of thousands of Hungarian Jews
- The white buses: The Swedish Red Cross under Folke Bernadotte rescued about 15,000 prisoners from concentration camps in 1945
- Sweden received Norwegian and Danish refugees who fled the German occupation
- The controversial German transit passage: Swedish trains transported German soldiers to and from Norway
The Million Program (1965–1975)
During the post-war era's rapid urbanization, an acute housing shortage arose in Sweden. The Riksdag decided in 1965 to build one million new homes over ten years - the so-called million programme. Large residential areas were built around the country's cities with modern apartments.
Olof Palme and social democracy
Olof Palme was Prime Minister 1969–1976 and 1982–1986. He is one of the best-known Swedish politicians internationally and strongly associated with modern Sweden's social policy and foreign policy engagement. He was murdered on 28 February 1986 on a street in Stockholm - one of Sweden's most noticed and unsolved crimes.
Immigration and multiculturalism
Sweden has received large groups of immigrants at different times. During the 1950s and 1960s, labor immigrants came from Finland, Southern Europe and Yugoslavia. From the 1970s, the proportion of political refugees from Latin America, Chile and Iran increased.
- 1950–1970: Labor immigration from Finland, Southern Europe, Yugoslavia
- 1970–1990: Political refugees from Chile, Iran, Poland
- 1990s: Refugees from the former Yugoslavia (Bosnia, Kosovo)
- 2000s: Refugees from Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan
- 2015: Record year – approx. 163,000 asylum seekers to Sweden; subsequent regulations were tightened
- Today: approx. 20% of Sweden's population is foreign-born