History of Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden

Adolf Frederick, King of Sweden, reigned from 1751 until his death in 1771. His tenure on the Swedish throne is often characterized not so much by his political activities but by the intricate politics of the period, which were dominated largely by the Riksdag of the Estates and the intense rivalries between the political factions known as the Hats and the Caps. Despite his limited personal influence on Swedish politics, the context of his reign provides a fascinating glimpse into a transformative period in Swedish history.

Adolf Frederick was born on May 14, 1710, in Gottorp, in what is now Germany. Before ascending to the Swedish throne, he belonged to the House of Holstein-Gottorp, an influential duchy in northern Germany. His path to kingship began with his election as heir to the throne of Sweden in 1743, as part of the resolution of the War of the Austrian Succession where Sweden sought to maintain balance and peace with Russia. The Swedish choice was strategic: it was hoped that by electing Adolf Frederick, Sweden could gain Russian support and maintain peace with its larger and more powerful neighbor. As the favored candidate of Empress Elizabeth of Russia, his election was facilitated by Sweden's need to secure favorable terms with Russia.

Adolf Frederick's accession to the throne in 1751 marked the end of the Age of Liberty, a period in Swedish history characterized by parliamentary governance and reduced royal authority. This era began after the Great Northern War and the death of King Charles XII, resulting in the 1719 Instrument of Government which provided a constitutional framework that subjecting monarchical power to parliamentary control. The Riksdag of the Estates gained significant influence, leading to political dominance by the so-called Era of Liberty, which prioritized economic modernization and political decentralization.

The political landscape during Adolf Frederick’s reign was complex, featuring intense rivalries between the Hats and the Caps factions. The Hats, who were in power when Adolf Frederick became king, were characterized by their pro-war policies and alignment with France, whereas the Caps, although eventually peaceful pragmatists, established stronger ties with Russia and the United Kingdom. The Hats' policies during the 1740s and early 1750s had led Sweden into conflicts such as the disastrous war against Russia (1741-1743), leaving the nation financially strained.

Despite formally being the king, Adolf Frederick had limited real power. His reign was marked by frustration due to consistently being overshadowed by the political power of the Riksdag and the council. The Swedish constitution significantly restricted the monarch's powers, relegating him to a largely ceremonial role with the real power being wielded by the faction-dominated Riksdag. Adolf Frederick often found himself in a delicate position, tasked with navigating the will of powerful estates while maintaining the ceremonial duties of a monarch. The frequent failure of the royal family to expand their power led to several attempts to strengthen the monarchy, generally without success.

Tensions culminated towards the end of his reign with the 1765-66 Riksdag, when the Caps faction took power from the Hats. The Cap’s rise threatened the stability of Swedish international alliances, notably with France, and brought the country closer to Russia. Their leadership was initially popular due to their promise of a peace dividend from staying out of international conflicts. However, domestic troubles and economic difficulties eventually marred their governance, leading to intensified political conflict.

One of the most notable events during Adolf Frederick’s reign was the constitutional crisis popularly known as the Diet of 1765-66. The Caps sought to consolidate their power by enacting radical reforms, leading to direct confrontations with the crown. The king and his queen, Louisa Ulrika, herself a fervent supporter of absolute monarchy (much influenced by her brother, Frederick the Great of Prussia), attempted to restore royal authority. These attempts, including plans for a coup, ultimately failed and left the king in a particularly weakened position.

Despite his attempts, Adolf Frederick was unable to break free from the political limitations of the time. His relative passivity and inability to effectively manage court politics and assert dominance over the Riksdag limited his direct influence on the governing of Sweden. Instead, his reign is largely remembered for the backdrop of struggle between different political ideologies and attempts at reform by competing factions.

Adolf Frederick passed away on February 12, 1771, reportedly with his final meal being rather excessive—a symbol, perhaps, of the indulgence and ceremonial nature of his reign juxtaposed with the limited power. His legacy remains, as a symbol of the constrained monarchy in Sweden during a period when parliamentary politics were vigorously debated and defined. His son, Gustav III, succeeded him, ushering in a new era aimed at shifting the power balance back towards the monarchy.

In summary, Adolf Frederick’s reign presided over a critical era in Swedish history, defined more by its political factionalism and the court's ceremonial figurehead than by any significant political achievements of the king himself. His life and kingship were emblematic of the limited nature of monarchical power in 18th-century Sweden, symbolizing both the potential and the constraints of constitutional monarchy in this transformative period.