During the first years following the Peace of Nystad Russia sought to intervene in Sweden's internal affairs and Horn there fore in 1726-27 made Sweden a member of the alliance between England, France and Prussia. Indeed, foreign subsidies be gan to have their ill effects in Sweden. Against Horn's prudent leadership there grew up an opposition which gained ground in 1734 and became victorious in the Riksdag of 1738-39. • Horn gave up office in Dec. 1738. The victorious party was called Hattar, "the Hats" in contradistinction from Mossorna, "the Caps."' The programme of the Hats favoured war with Russia with a view to winning back the Swedish provinces and power and a more intensive industrial policy; Sweden was to become a great Power politically and economically.
The party of the Hats controlled the fortunes of the country until the '6os, although sometimes strongly opposed by the Caps. They dominated the council from 1739 onwards with Count Karl Gyllenborg as their leader. Conditions seemed favourable for a war with Russia in 1741 and war began. The campaign was badly conducted and the Swedish troops took to flight. Discontented thousands of peasants marched to Stockholm and could only with difficulty be dispersed. At the beginning of the Riksdag session in 1742 the Caps were in power, and the peasants now won for themselves a place in the secret committee. An enquiry was set on foot into the actions of the instigators of the war, and two of the generals were condemned to death and executed. The Hats now raised the question of the succession to the throne, the royal couple being childless, and the question soon became bound up with that of the Russian peace as the Russian Empress Elizabeth wished to see Duke Adolphus Frederick of Holstein elected. The peasants particularly wanted to have the Danish crown prince, and a great conflict raged in Riksdag circles, much bribing being done by foreigners. In June peace was concluded at Abo. Russia
retained only a small portion of her conquests in Finland, and Adolphus Frederick was chosen as heir to the Swedish throne. Denmark threatened war and Sweden's impotence became mani fest when a Russian army came to the country to protect her against the Danes. While the Riksdag was in session there was a split among the Caps, and the council came to include both Hats and Caps. Adolphus Frederick came to Sweden and in 1744 mar ried Louisa Ulrika, sister of the Prussian King Frederick II. Russia's disposition to control the destinies of the country now took on a singularly offensive aspect. Foreign gold filled the coffers of the parties before the Riksdag of 1746-47 assembled. The Hats opposed the Russian proceedings resolutely and in this were sup ported by many of the Caps. Through new elections to the coun cil, the Hats now came definitely into power again, with Anders Johan von HOpken as head of the Government. Some members of the Caps party were charged with treason and the matter was investigated by a commission. This had the effect of diminishing their opposition to the Hats. An alliance was contracted in May 1747 with Prussia and France which improved the situation. The successful party rewarded its friends lavishly and came down heavily upon its foes.
The years which followed were comparatively quiet. The brilliant young noble, Count Carl Gustav Tessin, was president of the council, which was the strongest known within the period of the Riksdag's predominance; National defences were strength ened, custom tolls were raised to help industry which was also supported by loans and premiums ; agriculture was supported also by loans on easy terms. The improvement secured by these meas ures was in part apparent only and great credits were extorted from the Riksbank which had to increase its issue of notes. Notes depreciated in value and exchange offices were set up to keep the currency at the desired height.
Adolphus Frederick.—King Frederick died in 1751 and was succeeded by Adolphus Frederick (1751-71) who was under the influence of his stronger-minded wife. Controversial pamphlets and journals came out in numbers. Tension between the king and the council increased. A rash effort at a coup d'etat was made during the Riksdag of 1755-56; the royal couple were humiliated 'These party names originated in the Progressives nicknaming their opponents--who sacrificed everything to perpetuate an inglorious peace—the "Nightcaps," they themselves receiving their name from the three-cornered hats that they wore as officers.