Rental Cars Sweden - History of Sweden
Sweden’s contact with the rest of Europe was first recorded in the Viking period, when the country traded furs and arms with Russia. Pagan gods and earthbound kings held sway over the domestic population until Christianity took root in the 11th century. Denmark interceded in 1397, when, together with Norway, they joined Sweden in the Union of Kalmar. The Massacre of Stockholm in 1520 led to a national revolt headed by Gustav Ericksson Vasa. The Danes were defeated and Gustav was crowned Gustav I in 1523, establishing the House of Vasa. Sweden went through a time of religious reform and expansion, resulting in Sweden’s control over much of Finland and the Baltic countries. In 1809 the monarch’s unrestricted power was undone and Finland was lost to Russia. After the Peace of Kiel in 1814, Sweden was confirmed in possession of Norway. The military enforcement of a union with Norway was Sweden’s last involvement with war. Sweden then produced a constitution that divided power between king and parliament.
A parliamentary form of government then emerged in Sweden, with a strong Socialist opposition. The Social Democrats first gained power in the early 1920s and then, apart from a short break in 1936, held power from 1932 until 1976. Since the end of World War II, in which Sweden remained neutral (as it had done in World War I), the country enjoyed growing economic prosperity.
In the 1970s support for social democracy first wavered, especially after the 1986 assassination of Prime Minister Olaf Palme. In 1991 a Moderate-led coalition won power and there was a move to EU membership which left many Swedes uncertain and disillusioned. This enabled the Social Democrats to form a minority government in 1994. The Democrats suffered further losses in the 1995 elections, but managed to cling to power under Prime Minister Göran Persson.
Despite a favourable attitude towards the EU, Sweden chose not to join the European single currency at its inception in 1999. The most recent general election took place in September 1998. The Democrats proportion of the vote was cut to 36 per cent as traditional supporters switched to the ex-communist Left Party and the Greens. Goran Persson was forced into an agreement with both in order to form a government.
Despite having one of the world’s best social welfare systems, the disparity between rich and poor is still causing unrest. Racial tension and arguments over EU membership also create disharmony among this usually civil nation.
