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Nightcaps

political party, Sweden
Also known as: Caps

Quick Summary

The "Nightcaps" were a political party in Sweden during the Age of Freedom (1718–72). This era marked a shift from absolutism to a parliamentary government. The Nightcaps, along with their rivals the "Hats," were mercantilist in their economic outlook, but the Nightcaps were known for their more cautious approach.12

From 1720 to 1738, the Nightcaps held power and pursued a careful foreign policy to avoid provoking Russia. Their pragmatic approach contrasted with the more aggressive policies of the Hats, who later gained power and engaged in costly wars. The Nightcaps' influence waned as political confusion and economic instability grew in Sweden.12

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