Gustav IV Adolf or Gustav IV Adolph (1 November 1778 – 7 February 1837) was King of Sweden from 1792 until he in 1809 was deposed in a coup. He was also the last Swedish monarch to be the ruler of Finland.
The occupation of Finland in 1808–09 by Russian forces was the immediate cause of Gustav's violent overthrow by officers of his own army. Following his abdication on 29 March 1809, an Instrument of Government was hastily written, which severely circumscribed the powers of the monarchy. The "Instrument" was adopted in 1809 on 6 June, the National Day of Sweden now as well as in his time. It remained in force until replaced in 1974. The crown, now with strictly limited powers, passed to Gustav's uncle Charles XIII, who had no legitimate children; this want of heirs set into motion the quest for a successor, who was found the following year in the person of Jean-Baptiste Jules Bernadotte, the first monarch of the present royal family.
1809Mar, 29
King Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden abdicates after a coup d'état. At the Diet of Porvoo, Finland's four Estates pledge allegiance to Alexander I of Russia, commencing the secession of the Grand Duchy of Finland from Sweden.
Choose Another Date
Events on 1809
- 16Jan
Battle of Corunna
Peninsular War: The British defeat the French at the Battle of La Coruña. - 10Apr
War of the Fifth Coalition
Napoleonic Wars: The War of the Fifth Coalition begins when forces of the Austrian Empire invade Bavaria. - 20Apr
Battle of Abensberg
Two Austrian army corps in Bavaria are defeated by a First French Empire army led by Napoleon at the Battle of Abensberg on the second day of a four-day campaign that ended in a French victory. - 17May
Papal States
Emperor Napoleon I orders the annexation of the Papal States to the French Empire. - 5Jul
Battle of Wagram
The largest battle of the Napoleonic Wars, the Battle of Wagram is fought between the French and Austrian Empires.