Frederick William IV of Prussia vs Oscar I of Sweden

Frederick William IV initially made concessions to the revolutionaries, including appointing a liberal ministry and convening a national assembly. However, by November 1848, he dissolved the assembly, imposed a conservative constitution, and restored royal authority with military force.

Frederick William IV rejected the offer of the German imperial crown from the Frankfurt Parliament, stating he would not accept a crown from the gutter. This refusal effectively ended the liberal revolution of 1848 and the attempt to unify Germany through democratic means.

Frederick William IV issued a revised constitution for Prussia that established a bicameral parliament with limited powers. The constitution retained strong royal authority, including veto power and control over the military, but provided for elected representation and civil rights.

Frederick William IV suffered a series of strokes that left him mentally and physically incapacitated. His brother Wilhelm assumed the regency in 1858, effectively ending Frederick William's active rule and paving the way for Wilhelm's eventual succession.

Oscar I was crowned King of Sweden and Norway after the death of his father Charles XIV John. His coronation marked the beginning of a reign focused on liberal reforms and modernization.

Oscar I introduced a new penal code that abolished the death penalty for most crimes, reduced the use of corporal punishment, and reformed the prison system. This was part of his broader liberal agenda.

Oscar I implemented free trade reforms, reducing tariffs and abolishing the guild system. These policies stimulated economic growth and industrialization in Sweden.

Oscar I sent Swedish troops to support Denmark against Prussian-backed rebels in the First Schleswig War. The intervention was limited and ended with the London Protocol in 1851.

Oscar I proposed and implemented reforms to the Riksdag, including the introduction of a more representative system and the abolition of the four-estate parliament. These changes laid the groundwork for modern parliamentary democracy.

Oscar I died in Stockholm at age 60. His death ended a reign of 15 years marked by liberal reforms, economic modernization, and a shift toward constitutional monarchy.