116 Wag the Dog

The Scandinavian History Podcast by Mikael Shainkman

Sep 12, 202533:39Society & Culture

A few years after his coup, the opposition against Gustav III was growing. In an attempt to improve his popularity–and to reclaim some of the land lost in the War of the Hats–he decided to start a war against Russia. Unf...

Related Episodes

Continue listening to more episodes from The Scandinavian History Podcast.

132 To the Eider!

Apr 24, 2026 - 33:03

In March 1848, the new Danish government wanted a radical break from the previous way the Unitary State h...

131 A Beloved Buffoon

Apr 10, 2026 - 28:42

In 1848, Denmark faced uncertainty after king Christian VIII’s sudden death, just as political unrest sta...

130 Hope Springs Eternal

Mar 27, 2026 - 30:59

During the Golden Age, pressure mounted for political reforms in Denmark. The absolute monarchy was threa...

129 Faith, Philosophy, Fairytales

Mar 13, 2026 - 34:30

After the disasters of the Napoleonic Wars, state bankruptcy and losing Norway, Denmark was in bad shape....

128 Revolutionary Marshal, Reactionary Monarch

Feb 27, 2026 - 36:23

In 1818, Bernadotte became king of Sweden and Norway under the name Karl Johan. He was eager to develop h...

127 The United Kingdoms

Feb 13, 2026 - 29:52

In the fall of 1814, Norway had lost the war against Sweden. The defeat had come as an unpleasant surpris...

126 War or Peace?

Jan 30, 2026 - 33:19

In the first half of 1814, Bernadotte had been busy wrapping up the war on the continent. But as summer a...

125 Norway Resurrected

Jan 16, 2026 - 35:00

During a few intense spring weeks in 1814, 112 representatives of the Norwegian people came together at E...