Gustav Vasa and Swedish independence
Decisions, questions and your own progress, in the app
Gustav Vasa addressing the men of Dalarna in Mora, painting by Johan Gustaf Sandberg, 1836 · Public domain · Source page
Sweden under a Danish king
Since 1397, Sweden, Denmark and Norway had been joined in the Kalmar Union, usually ruled from Denmark. Many Swedish nobles wanted a king of their own.
The Stockholm Bloodbath
In November 1520, the Danish king Christian II had about 80 of Stockholm's leaders executed after promising them safety. Gustav Vasa's father was among them. Gustav, a young nobleman, had escaped.
A peasant army
2 years
Gustav went to the region of Dalarna and persuaded peasants and miners to rise. Over about two years his army took town after town. In 1523 it took Stockholm.
King by election
On 6 June 1523 the Swedish parliament elected Gustav Vasa king in Strängnäs, and Sweden left the union for good.
Taking the church's land
Gustav needed money. In the 1520s he broke with the Pope and seized much of the church's land, and Sweden became Protestant. The new wealth made the Crown strong.
Why it still matters
Gustav built a strong central state with its own army and taxes, and in 1544 the crown became hereditary in his family. Sweden celebrates 6 June as its national day.
Review question
Which union did Sweden leave in 1523?
Answer: The Kalmar Union with Denmark and Norway. Sweden had been tied to Denmark and Norway since 1397.
Why does Sweden celebrate 6 June?
Answer: Gustav Vasa was elected king that day in 1523. 6 June 1523 is remembered as the start of modern, independent Sweden.
Image credits
- Gustav Vasa addressing the men of Dalarna in Mora, painting by Johan Gustaf Sandberg, 1836 · Public domain · Source page
