Dalecarlian rebellion (1743)

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Dalecarlian rebellion (1743)

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A major peasant uprising in Swedish Dalecarlia against the ruling elite in 1743.

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Origins & Early Life

The Dalecarlian Rebellion of 1743 (Swedish: Stora daladansen; lit. 'Great Dalecarlian Dance'), also known as the Fourth Dalecarlian Rebellion, was a rebellion that broke out in the Swedish province of Dalecarlia in 1743. Its cause was the peasants' dissatisfaction with the "lords' government" of the Age of Liberty. This dissatisfaction was strongest in Dalecarlia, partly because the Hats had introduced restrictions in the Dalecarlians' free exchange of goods with neighboring Norway, but mainly because of the unlucky Russo-Swedish War (1741–43) to which the peasants had to provide soldiers. It was the last major uprising in Sweden to have started in rural areas.

Career & Major Achievements

At the time of the revolt, there was widespread discontent with the parliamentary system among the peasantry, who considered their representatives in the Riksdag of the Estates powerless to the three other estates, and that the monarchs of the absolute monarchy had listened better to their complaints. An epidemic and famine after the failed harvest of 1742, caused the ban from trade with the Norwegian border, increased the dissatisfaction, as did the Battle of Villmanstrand with its great losses for the Dalecarlia Regiment. The dissatisfaction was directed toward the crisis in the succession to the throne after the childless Frederick I of Sweden. The idea that an election of Peter of Holstein-Gottorp, grandson of Hedvig Sophia of Sweden and nephew of Empress Elizabeth of Russia, would result in an end of the hated war and a chance for a change in the constitution, spread in Dalecarlia, were the peasantry was ready to enforce it by a revolt. When Peter was elected heir to the Russian throne, crown prince Frederick of Denmark became the preferred candidate of the peasantry.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

During the summer of 1742, riots and opposition toward the draft of soldiers occurred in several provinces in Sweden, as well as discontent among their soldiers in the regiment in the capital of Stockholm. This resulted in a stop of the drafts and the peasantry arming themselves toward the authorities instead. On 8 March 1743, the representatives of the peasantry stated their demands in the Riksdag and demanded a stop of the drafts, the punishment of the generals responsible for the Battle of Villmanstrand and the election of crown prince Frederick of Denmark as heir to the throne. Their demands were refused. The rebellion in Helsingia were subdued, but open rebellion broke out in Dalecarlia 30 May, and on 11 June, a rebel army marched from Dalecarlia toward the capital.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1741: 1741 Milestone — This dissatisfaction was strongest in Dalecarlia, partly because the Hats had introduced restrictions in the Dalecarlians' free exchange of goods with neighboring Norway, but mainly because of the unlucky Russo-Swedish War (1741–43) to which the peasants had to provide soldiers.
2. 1742: 1742 Milestone — An epidemic and famine after the failed harvest of 1742, caused the ban from trade with the Norwegian border, increased the dissatisfaction, as did the Battle of Villmanstrand with its great losses for the Dalecarlia Regiment.
3. 1743: 1743 Milestone — The Dalecarlian Rebellion of 1743 (Swedish: Stora daladansen; lit.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Dalecarlian rebellion (1743)

True or False: “The primary cause of the rebellion was solely dissatisfaction with the parliamentary system (Riksdag).”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While discontent with the Riksdag was a factor, the uprising was also heavily fueled by economic hardship from famine and the burdens imposed by the Russo-Swedish War.

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