Template:Short description The Union and Security Act (Template:Langx, Template:Langx), alternatively Act of Union and Security, was proposed by King Gustav III of Sweden to the assembled Estates of the Realm during the Riksdag of 1789. It was a document, adding to the Swedish Constitution of 1772 new provisions. The King strengthened his grip on power while at the same time riding on a popular wave that also meant a decrease in aristocratic power. It has been described as "fundamentally conservative".<ref name="Nordstrom2000">Template:Cite book</ref>
PassageEdit
During the Russo-Swedish War, in February 1789, Gustav summoned the Riksdag of the Estates and placed an Act of Union and Security before them. Three of the four estates accepted it, but the Nobles rejected it. Since three of the four Estates accepted it, it was passed and became law.<ref name="Nordstrom2000"/>
ContentsEdit
The Act of Union and Security gave the King the sole power to declare war and make peace instead of sharing the power with the estates and the Privy Council.<ref name=subversion>Template:Cite book</ref> The estates would lose the ability to initiate legislation,<ref name=cambridge>Template:Cite book</ref> but they would keep the ability to vote on new taxes.<ref name="Nordstrom2000"/>
Another provision was that the King was enabled to determine the number of Privy Councillors and so he could abolish the Council altogether by determining their number to be zero. The judicial branch of the Privy Council (in Template:Langx) was then transferred to a new Supreme Court.<ref>An article about the Privy Council of Sweden (Riksrådet in Swedish). The relevant information is at the bottom of column 388, Nordisk Familjebok Template:In lang</ref>
Most noble privileges were abolished with the Act, with most offices now available to all regardless of rank. Noble lands could now be bought by anyone instead of only by nobles.<ref name=cambridge/>
The law was in effect in Sweden until 1809, and in Finland until 1919.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
Template:Constitutions of Sweden
Template:Constitution-stub
Template:Sweden-hist-stub
Template:Finland-hist-stub