Editing History of Sweden (section)

=== Modernization of Sweden: 1860–1910 ===
{{main|Modernization of Sweden}}
[[File:Two 20kr gold coins.jpg|thumb|Two golden 20 kr coins from the [[Scandinavian Monetary Union]], which was based on a [[gold standard]]. The coin to the left is Swedish and the right one is Danish.]]

Sweden, much like [[Meiji Restoration|Japan at the same time]], transformed from a stagnant rural society to a vibrant industrial society between the 1860s and 1910. The agricultural economy shifted gradually from a communal village to a more efficient private farm-based agriculture. There was less need for manual labor on the farm so many went to the cities and a million [[Swedish American|Swedes emigrated to the United States]] between 1850 and 1890. Many returned and brought word of the higher productivity of American industry, this stimulating faster modernization.

In 1873, Sweden and [[Denmark]] formed the [[Scandinavian Monetary Union]].

The late 19th century saw the emergence of an opposition press, the abolition of [[guild]] monopolies on craftsmen and the reform of taxation. Two years of military service was made compulsory for young men although there was no warfare.