Top 10 Most Fascinating Periods of Swedish History (Anno Domini)

Viking Age (Vikingatiden): 793 - 1066 AD

I don't think I need to explain much. The Vikings were among the most iconic people in all of Europe. Norse seafarers, who spoke the Old Norse language, discovered Iceland, Greenland, and Vinland (North America).

Now, yes, I know the Viking Age is technically a part of the Iron Age, but the Viking Age could be seen as its own thing as well. And yes, I know the Swedish Vikings aren't that famous, as it was the Norwegians and Danish who mostly conquered lands, while the Swedish Vikings mostly did trade. But still, it's Vikings. They top the list in my opinion.

The Viking Age started when the island of Lindisfarne was invaded by Vikings and ended when Sweden became Christian.

Swedish Middle Ages (Medeltiden): 1066 - 1521 AD

This epoch comes right after the Viking Age. During this epoch, Sweden became a Christian nation, and schools and education came into existence here in Sweden. The unfortunate Black Plague came to Europe.

So much interesting stuff happened. Many of the monarchs in the later half of the Swedish Middle Ages had pretty interesting intentions and actions overall, such as Magnus III and Birger Jarl (the latter of whom founded Stockholm, the present capital of Sweden). The epoch started when Sweden became Christian and ended after the Stockholm Bloodbath.

Swedish Empire (Stormaktstiden): 1611 - 1718 AD

The Swedish Empire years were when Sweden was at its largest size and a superpower, which it isn't anymore. At the start of the "Stormaktstiden," Sweden was originally a very poor and small country at war with all of its neighbors. The monarch known as Gustav II Adolf helped Sweden become a superpower and went into the Thirty Years' War, one of the most destructive wars of all time.

Sweden was always at war during its Empire years, with the exception of when Karl XI was king. During his regime, Sweden experienced its only years of peace during the Empire years until Karl XII came and went to wars again. The Swedish Empire began when Karl IX died and ended when Karl XII died.

The Vasa Era (Vasatiden): 1523 - 1611 AD

The Vasa Era was the era when the House of Vasa ruled over Sweden (excluding Gustav II Adolf and his daughter, as when he became king, the Empire Years started). Perhaps among the most important Swedish kings ruled over the first half of this epoch, known as Gustav Eriksson Vasa.

Gustav Vasa did not order the ship to be built. That was one of his grandchildren, Gustav II Adolf. Gustav Vasa is said to be the one who founded modern Sweden after freeing it from the Kalmar Union, a former country consisting of the Scandinavian countries. Sweden and Denmark were worst enemies back then.

Gustav Vasa is seen as a hero because of this. In fact, Sweden's national day, June 6th, was the day he became king in 1523. The Vasa Era began when Gustav Vasa became king and ended when Karl IX died, and his son, Gustav II Adolf (The Lion of the North), became king.

Age of Liberty (Frihetstiden): 1718 - 1772 AD

This epoch started after Karl XII died. Sweden was a poor country after all the wars and the Empire years had ended. People had gotten tired of the absolute monarchy and wars, and democracy came to Sweden.

The power now went to the Parliament, and the monarchs lost their power. Political parties came into existence, the first two of Sweden being simply known as "Caps" and "Hats." With democracy, freedom of speech was heavily improved, although you could still not criticize the regime.

This epoch began with the death of Karl XII and ended when Gustav III performed a coup d'état against the new regime.

The Gustavian Era (Gustavianska Tiden): 1772 - 1809 AD

Taking place directly after the Age of Liberty, this epoch began when Gustav III performed a coup d'état against the Swedish regime. Due to this, the monarchs gained the highest power once again, like before the Age of Liberty.

However, it didn't last too long, as Gustav IV Adolf, the second king of the Gustavian Era, was overthrown in 1809, and democracy came back to Sweden.

Swedish Industrialisation (Industrialiseringen): Approximately 1850 - 1900 AD

Funny enough, the Industrial Revolution started in Great Britain, and it didn't come to Sweden until about a hundred years later. This was a very important part of Swedish history because, while life was not fun during this period, it was the beginning of the world we know today.

The current period Sweden is in started in 1991 when the Moderate Party (Moderaterna, the currently biggest right-wing political party in Sweden) won the elections for the first time, and Moderate politician Carl Bildt became Prime Minister of Sweden.

Some people say Sweden is uninteresting during this new modern era, but I don't. I feel like Sweden still has its proud and interesting cultures, traditions, and customs. I feel proud to be a half-Swedish guy and always will.

I'll exclude the years after 1991 and the years before 1905, as they are more considered their own periods. We're focusing on what came in between, after the Industrial Revolution in Sweden, and it began when Norway broke away from Sweden.

Now, I know the 20th century is technically divided into a few different epochs, but all of them are generally similar to each other. Sweden was neutral during both World Wars. This is when Sweden began staying neutral in conflicts.

They managed to stay out of both World Wars, much like Switzerland and Ireland (although I'm not sure if Ireland was part of World War I or not). That's kind of impressive.