Gustav III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gustav III |
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Portrait by Lorens Pasch, 1777
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| King of Sweden | |
| Reign | 12 February 1771 – 29 March 1792 |
| Coronation | 29 May 1772 |
| Predecessor | Adolf Frederick |
| Successor | Gustav IV Adolf |
| Born | 24 January 1746 Stockholm, Sweden |
| Died | 29 March 1792 (aged 46) Stockholm Palace, Stockholm |
| Burial | 14 May 1792 Riddarholm Church |
| Spouse |
Sophia Magdalena of Denmark
(m. 1766) |
| Issue | Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden Prince Carl Gustav, Duke of Småland |
| House | Holstein-Gottorp |
| Father | Adolf Frederick of Sweden |
| Mother | Louisa Ulrika of Prussia |
| Religion | Lutheranism |
| Signature |  |
Gustav III (born 24 January 1746, died 29 March 1792) was the King of Sweden from 1771 until he was killed in 1792. He was the oldest son of Adolf Frederick of Sweden and Queen Louisa Ulrika of Prussia.
Gustav was against the power that the nobles had gained after King Charles XII died. He took power from the government in a sudden change, called a coup d'état (a quick takeover of power), in 1772. This event ended a period known as the Age of Liberty, where the parliament had a lot of power. Gustav wanted to bring back more power to the king. He completed this with the Union and Security Act in 1789. This act took away most of the powers of the Swedish Riksdag (parliament). But it also opened up the government to all citizens, which reduced the special rights of the nobles.
Gustav believed in "enlightened absolutism," which meant a king ruled with total power but also used new ideas to improve society. He spent a lot of money on cultural projects. He also tried to take Norway with help from Russia. Later, he tried to get back lands Sweden lost in the Great Northern War through a war with Russia. Even though that war didn't go well at first, his leadership in the Battle of Svensksund helped Sweden avoid a full defeat.
Gustav admired the writer Voltaire. He made it legal for Catholics and Jews to live in Sweden. He also made many reforms to help the economy and society. He limited the use of torture and the death penalty. However, the Freedom of the Press Act was made much weaker later on.
After the French Revolution started in 1789, Gustav wanted to form an alliance of leaders to stop the revolution and bring back King Louis XVI of France. He offered Sweden's help and his own leadership. In 1792, he was shot and badly hurt during a masquerade ball. This was part of a plan by some nobles and parliament members to overthrow him. But he managed to take control and stop the uprising before he died 13 days later from a serious infection. Gustav's power then went to a regency (a group ruling for a young king) led by his brother Prince Carl until his son Gustav IV Adolf became an adult in 1796. The king's strong rule lasted until 1809, when his son was removed in another coup, which finally made the parliament the main power.
Gustav loved the arts and helped many artists and writers. He started the Swedish Academy, created a national costume, and had the Royal Swedish Opera built. In 1772, he founded the Royal Order of Vasa to honor Swedes who helped improve farming, mining, and trade.
In 1777, Gustav III was the first officially neutral leader to recognize the United States during its fight for independence from Great Britain. Swedish soldiers also helped the American colonists, mostly through the French forces. By getting the island of Saint Barthélemy in 1784, Gustav brought back a small Swedish presence in America.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Gustav was born in Stockholm. He was taught by Hedvig Elisabet Strömfelt until he was five. Then, two important Swedish statesmen, Carl Gustaf Tessin and Carl Fredrik Scheffer, became his teachers. But he learned a lot from the poet and historian Olof von Dalin.
His parents and the parliament disagreed about his education. This created a difficult environment for him. Even his teachers were impressed by his natural talents.
Marriage and Family Life
Gustav married Princess Sophia Magdalena, who was the daughter of King Frederick V of Denmark. They married in 1766. Gustav first liked Sophia Magdalena's beauty. But her quiet personality made her less popular at court. Their marriage was not very happy. This was partly because they had different personalities. It was also because Gustav's mother, Queen Louisa Ulrika, interfered a lot.
They had two children: Crown Prince Gustav Adolf (born 1778) and Prince Carl Gustav, Duke of Småland (born 1782).
Becoming King and Taking Power
When Gustav became king, the Swedish Riksdag (parliament) had more power than the king. But the Riksdag was divided into two main groups: the Hats and the Caps. When Gustav returned to Sweden, he tried to get these groups to work together, but he failed.
In 1771, he gave a powerful speech to the Riksdag. He was the first Swedish king in over 100 years to speak to the Riksdag in Swedish. He asked everyone to put aside their differences for the good of the country. He offered to help the groups find a compromise. But the Caps, who were in power, tried to make him a "roi fainéant" (a king with no real power). This made him think about taking power himself.
Many people felt that Sweden was in danger of being controlled by Russia. It seemed that only a quick takeover could save Sweden's independence.
Gustav was approached by Jacob Magnus Sprengtporten, a Finnish nobleman. Sprengtporten suggested a revolution. He planned to take a fortress in Finland. Then he would sail to Sweden and join the king to force the parliament to accept a new constitution.
Another person, Johan Christopher Toll, joined the plan. Toll suggested starting a revolt in southern Sweden. Then, the king's brother, Duke Charles, would pretend to stop the revolt. But instead, he would join the rebels and march on the capital, Stockholm. Sprengtporten would attack Stockholm from the east at the same time.
France helped fund this plan.
On 6 August 1772, Toll successfully took the fortress of Kristianstad. On 16 August, Sprengtporten surprised Sveaborg. But bad weather stopped him from sailing to Stockholm.
On 16 August, Gustav learned about the revolt in the south. He decided to act without waiting for Sprengtporten. On 18 August, he secretly told officers he trusted to meet him the next morning. On 19 August, Gustav rode to the arsenal. About 200 officers joined him. He told them his plans. He said, "If you follow me... then I will risk my life and blood for you and the salvation of the fatherland!" The officers agreed to serve him.
The king's council and the navy were taken over. Gustav then rode through the city. Crowds cheered him as a hero. A famous song, "Toast to King Gustav!", was written about him.
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On 21 August, the king appeared in his royal clothes. He gave a famous speech where he criticized the parliament for their past actions. A new constitution, the Instrument of Government, was read and accepted by everyone. The parliament was then closed.
Reforms and Policies
Gustav worked to make reforms like other leaders of his time. He made criminal justice fairer. The death penalty was limited to only a few serious crimes, and torture was stopped.
He was very involved in running the country. He worked to stop the widespread corruption that had grown under the previous governments. He even put a high court on trial.
He also improved how the government and courts worked. In 1774, he announced a new law for freedom of the press, though it had some limits. He made the navy stronger, making it one of the most powerful in Europe. He also fixed the country's money problems in 1776.
Gustav brought in new economic policies. In 1775, he allowed free trade in grain and removed some unfair export taxes. He also changed laws for the poor and gave limited religious freedom to Roman Catholics and Jews. Gustav even designed a Swedish national costume. It was worn by upper-class people from 1778 until his death.
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At first, Gustav's foreign policy was careful. When he called the parliament in 1778, he could report good progress. The parliament was very obedient to the king. They realized that their power was gone. He was now truly their ruler.
Even those who accepted the changes didn't like them. The parliament in 1786 was rebellious. They rejected or changed almost all of the king's ideas.
Gustav was interested in the American Revolution. In 1776, he said it was exciting to see a new nation being created. He admired their courage.
Absolute Monarchy and War
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The parliament meeting in 1786 was a turning point for Gustav. From then on, he decided to rule more without the parliament. He slowly moved towards having total power.
His foreign policy also became more daring. He first tried to get Russia's help to take Norway from Denmark. When Russia's empress, Catherine the Great, refused, Gustav declared war on Russia in 1788. This was while Russia was fighting the Ottoman Empire. By starting a war without the parliament's permission, Gustav broke his own constitution. This led to a serious rebellion among his noble officers in Finland, called the Anjala Conspiracy. Denmark then declared war to support Russia. But Britain and Prussia helped arrange a ceasefire.
When Gustav returned to Sweden, he made people angry at the rebellious noble officers. He stopped their rebellion and arrested the leaders. Using the strong anti-noble feelings, Gustav called a parliament meeting in 1789. There, he passed the Act of Union and Security with the support of the other three groups in parliament (not the nobility). This law greatly increased the king's power. But the parliament still controlled the country's money. In return, Gustav removed most of the old special rights of the nobility.
Russo-Swedish War (1788–1790)
From 1789 to 1790, Gustav fought a war with Russia. At first, it seemed like Sweden would lose. But the Swedes successfully broke a blockade by the Russian fleet at the Battle of Svensksund on 9 July 1790. This is seen as the greatest naval victory for the Swedish Navy. Russia lost many ships and soldiers. A month later, a peace treaty was signed. This treaty saved Sweden from having to give up anything. In 1791, Gustav made an alliance with the Russian empress.
Gustav then wanted to form an alliance of leaders against the revolutionary government in France. He understood the French Revolution well. But he faced money problems and lacked support from other European powers. After a short parliament meeting in 1792, he became a victim of a large plot by his noble enemies.
Assassination
| Assassination of Gustav III | |
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Gustav's outfit during the assassination
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| Location | Royal Opera House, Stockholm |
| Date | March 16, 1792 |
| Target | Gustav III |
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Attack type
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Assassination, shooting |
| Weapons | 2 pistols and a knife |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Assailants | Jacob Johan Anckarstrom, Adolph Ribbing, Claes Fredrik Horn, Carl Pontus Lilliehorn, and Carl Fredrik Pechlin |
Gustav III's war against Russia and his new law of 1789 made many nobles hate him. A plan to kill the king and change the constitution was made by nobles in the winter of 1791–92. Jacob Johan Anckarström, Adolph Ribbing, and others were involved.
The king was killed at a masked ball at the Royal Opera House in Stockholm. This happened at midnight on 16 March 1792. Gustav had eaten dinner there earlier. He received an anonymous letter warning him, but he ignored it because he had received many threats before.
As the King walked towards the opera stage, several masked men blocked his way. One of them shot him with a pistol.
The wounded king was taken to his room. The exits of the Opera were closed. Anckarström was arrested the next morning and admitted to the shooting.
The king was still alive and continued to lead the country. The plot failed in the short term. However, the wound became infected. On 29 March, the king died from the infection.
Contributions to Culture
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Gustav III is considered one of the most important rulers of the 18th century for his support of the arts. He loved performing arts, visual arts, and literature.
Gustav also wrote plays. He is largely credited with creating the Royal Theatre (Kungliga Teatern). His own historical plays were performed there. He helped many Swedish singers and actors become famous. In 1773, he founded the Royal Swedish Opera and the Royal Swedish Ballet. A new opera house was built in 1775 and opened in 1782. Later, he founded a separate theater for spoken plays, the Royal Dramatic Theatre.
He became a Freemason in 1780. He made his brother, the Duke of Södermanland, the leader of the Grand Lodge of Sweden.
Opera and Arts
Important opera composers during Gustav's rule included Johann Gottlieb Naumann, Georg Joseph Vogler, and Joseph Martin Kraus. They all adapted their music to the Swedish style. Gustav himself sometimes helped with the stories for operas.
The king was killed in the foyer of the opera house. This event inspired several operas, including Un ballo in maschera (A Masked Ball) by Giuseppe Verdi.
Many agree that Gustav III's dedication to the performing arts in Sweden was very important for Swedish culture. The opera during his time is called the Gustavian Opera.
Hot Air Balloon
After Gustav III visited Lyon, France, the Montgolfier brothers launched a new hot air balloon in June 1784. They named it the Gustave in honor of the Swedish King. The first woman to fly in a hot air balloon, singer Élisabeth Thible, was on this flight.
Saint-Barthélemy and Gustavia
Under King Gustav III, Sweden gained the small Caribbean island of Saint-Barthélemy from France in 1785. This was in exchange for French trading rights in Gothenburg.
The island's capital is still called Gustavia, named after Gustav III. Even though the island was sold back to France in 1878, many streets and places there still have Swedish names. The Swedish national symbol, the three crowns, is also on the island's coat of arms.
Images for kids
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Gustav III in 1772
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The decorations at Gustav III's funeral in Riddarholmskyrkan, 1792
See also
- Absolute Monarchy in Sweden
- Culture of Sweden
- Gustavian era
- History of Sweden
- Swedish slave trade
