ABSTRACT
Sweden's relationship with Germany historically and in a contemporary context can be classified as intimate and important. The development of modern Sweden and modern Prussia/Germany followed parallel yet different paths. The ties between the two countries became especially strong in the period after German unification. The birth of modern Sweden occurred in 1523 when a Swedish noble, Gustav Vasa, led a revolt against the Danish king who ruled all of Scandinavia. In broad historical terms, late 19th century Europe divided between two cultural-political tendencies. The conservative tradition emphasized established values, community, order, and hierarchy. The progressive tradition demanded democracy, equality, individualism, and often encouraged challenging established truths. In the first three years after the war, Sweden moved to re-establish its peacetime role in the post-war order. It joined the United Nations and it participated actively in postwar relief efforts. The Soviet liberalization policies also made the reunification of Germany possible.
