Revolution of 1772

The Revolution of 1772, also known as The Bloodless Revolution (Swedish: Revolutionen) or the Coup of Gustav III (Gustav III:s statskupp or older Gustav III:s statsvälvning), was a Swedish coup d'état performed by King Gustav III of Sweden on 19 August 1772 to introduce a division of power between the king and the Riksdag of the Estates, resulting in the end of the Age of Liberty and the introduction of the Swedish Constitution of 1772, which would strengthen the power of the monarch.

Revolution of 1772
Gustav III initiating the coup in 1772.
Date 1772 Location Finland, Stockholm Result Revolutionary victory
Insurgents-Government
Supporters of Gustav III (Opposition to Parliamentary Rule) Supported by: France Finnish loyalists	The Riksdag of the Estates (Government)
Commanders and leaders
Gustav III Jacob Magnus Sprengtporten Göran Magnus	Carl Björnberg  (POW) Christian Reuterholm  (POW)
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
None	None

Background

The Age of Liberty was a period in Swedish history that spanned from 1718 to 1772, during which the Riksdag of the Estates held significant power and limited the authority of the monarch. This period saw the introduction of various reforms, including freedom of the press and the abolition of torture.

However, by the mid-18th century, the Age of Liberty had become a period of political stagnation and corruption. Furthermore, the Riksdag had become deeply divided and unable to effectively govern the country, leading to calls for reform from various quarters.

See also

• Hovpartiet
• Coup of 1756
• December Crisis (1768)
• Coup of 1809
• Royal Life Guards' Mutiny

References

• Beth Hennings, Gustav III: En biografi (1957), Norstedts förlag 1990 ISBN 91-1-893862-0
• Berättelser ur svenska historien / 42. Frihetstidens sista år och Revolutionen 1772