Sweden History

Sweden emerges as the Kingdom of the Svear and Götar in the 11th century. Christianity was introduced in the later 11th century, Uppsala becoming the seat of the Swedish archbishop. Swedish kings, after their election, went on the Eriksgata, i.e. they visited Uppland, Södermannaland, Östergötland, Småland, Västergötland, Närke, Västmanland.
In the 13th century, Sweden began its conquest of Finland (the eastern border being pushed eastward, in wars against the Republic of Novgorod, and in the latter's succession, against the Grand Duchy of Muscovy, until 1611).
From 1395 to 1523 Sweden was part of the Kalmar Union, a dynastic union of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. As the union kings resided in Copenhagen, from 1433 onward Sweden rebelled and for most of the time administrated her own affairs. In 1523 Gustav I. Vasa reestablished Swedish independence. The Lutheran Reformation was introduced in 1527.
In the 17th century Sweden established the Dominium Maris Baltici, gaining Estonia (1583-1710), Livonia (1621-1710), Swedish Pomerania (1648-1815), Wismar, Stift Bremen, Stift Verden, Wildeshausen. From Denmark Halland, Skåne, Blekinge and Gotland were acquired, from Norway Bohuslän, Jämtland and Härjedalen, and annexed into the Swedish state. The era of Sweden as a major military power ended in the Battle of Poltava 1709, which brought with it the loss of much territory beyond the Baltic, to the Russian Empire.
In 1808 Sweden lost Finland to the Russian Empire; in 1815 it entered in a dynastic union with Norway, which was dominated by Sweden. Sweden entered on a long history of neutrality. In 1905 Norway declared independence. During World War I and II Sweden remained neutral. By 1900 regarded a poor country, Sweden developed into an affluent welfare state. In 1995 Sweden joined the EU.