Changes

The Kalmar Union's final disintegration in the early 16th century brought on a long-lived rivalry between Norway and Denmark on one side and Sweden and Finland on the other. The Catholic bishops had supported Danish King Christian II, but he was overthrown by Gustavus Vasa (1490-1560) and Sweden (with Finland) was now independent again. Gustavus used the [[Protestant Reformation]] to curb the power of the church and became King Gustavus I in 1523. In 1527 he persuaded the Riksdag of Västerås, (comprising the nobles, clergy, burghers, and freehold peasants), to confiscate the church lands. Gustavus patronized the Lutheran reformers and appointed his men as bishops. Gustavus suppressed aristocratic opposition to his ecclesiastical policies and centralization efforts.

The Kalmar Union's final disintegration in the early 16th century brought on a long-lived rivalry between Norway and Denmark on one side and Sweden and Finland on the other. The Catholic bishops had supported Danish King Christian II, but he was overthrown by Gustavus Vasa (1490-1560) and Sweden (with Finland) was now independent again. Gustavus used the [[Protestant Reformation]] to curb the power of the church and became King Gustavus I in 1523. In 1527 he persuaded the Riksdag of Västerås, (comprising the nobles, clergy, burghers, and freehold peasants), to confiscate the church lands. Gustavus patronized the Lutheran reformers and appointed his men as bishops. Gustavus suppressed aristocratic opposition to his ecclesiastical policies and centralization efforts.

Tax reform took place in 1538 and 1558, whereby multiple complex taxes on independent farmers were simplified and standardized throughout the district; tax assessments per farm were adjusted to reflect ability to pay. Crown tax revenues increased but more important the new system was much fairer and more acceptable.  Sweden's economic strength grew rapidly and by 1544 Gustavus was strong enough to proclaim the Swedish crown hereditary in his house of Vasa.  It ruled Sweden (1523-1654) and Poland (1587-1668).<ref> Michael Roberts, ''The Early Vasas: The Early Vasas:  A History of Sweden 1523-1611'' (1968)</ref>

Tax reform took place in 1538 and 1558, whereby multiple complex taxes on independent farmers were simplified and standardized throughout the district; tax assessments per farm were adjusted to reflect ability to pay. Crown tax revenues increased but more important the new system was much fairer and more acceptable.  Sweden's economic strength grew rapidly and by 1544 Gustavus was strong enough to proclaim the Swedish crown hereditary in his house of Vasa.  It ruled Sweden (1523-1654) and Poland (1587-1668).<ref> Michael Roberts, ''The Early Vasas:  A History of Sweden 1523-1611'' (1968)</ref>

==Early Modern==

==Early Modern==

* Österberg, Eva and Lindström, Dag. ''Crime and Social Control in Medieval and Early Modern Swedish Towns.'' (1988). 169 pp.

* Österberg, Eva and Lindström, Dag. ''Crime and Social Control in Medieval and Early Modern Swedish Towns.'' (1988). 169 pp.

* Porshnev, B. F. and Paul Dukes, eds. ''Muscovy and Sweden in the Thirty Years' War, 1630-1635.'' (1996). 256 pp.  

* Porshnev, B. F. and Paul Dukes, eds. ''Muscovy and Sweden in the Thirty Years' War, 1630-1635.'' (1996). 256 pp.  

* Roberts, Michael. ''From Oxenstierna to Charles XII. Four Studies.'' (1991). 203 pp.

* Roberts, Michael. ''From Oxenstierna to Charles XII. Four Studies.'' (1991). 203 pp.

* Roberts, Michael. ''The Swedish Imperial Experience, 1560-1718.'' (1979). 156 pp.

* Roberts, Michael. ''The Swedish Imperial Experience, 1560-1718.'' (1979). 156 pp.