The Engelbrekt Rebellion

[Dimentio]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engelbrekt_rebellion

To some extent one of the earliest events in Sweden where acts of defiance from peasants and (mine) workers led to a lasting change of government. Very interesting from a historical perspective.

[Die Neue Zeit]

Oh, but the rural idiots that are the peasantry can't possibly be an independent class for itself, that is, being politically revolutionary in spite of not being able to be socially revolutionary!

[Dimentio]

The rebellion started in the mines, then the peasants sort of jumped ahead, and then the Swedish nobility joined into the rebellion.

Engelbrekt was more a "capitalist" than a nobleman though. The mines which he owned a part of was the world's first stock company.

[Die Neue Zeit]

But without the mine workers forming their own political organization, it was inevitable that the peasantry jumped ahead.

[Dimentio]

It was kind of before political parties. The first political parties which Sweden had were the Caps and the Hats in the 18th century, of which the first were bribed by the Russians and the second by the French.

Then Gustaf III (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_III_of_Sweden) made a coup with the support of the Army and two of the four estates in the Riksdag (Peasant and Burgher) and deposed the parties, establishing himself as an enlightened despot, until he was killed by a noblemen conspiracy in 1792.

[Smyg]

[/Horrible, horrible thread necro]

This is an awesome topic.

The Swedish peasantry had a very, very long tradition of uprisings against the crown. The Engelbrek rebellion is a fine example, starting with miners and peasants uniting to burn down the local lord's castle. :thumbup: