Out of Germanic tribes in present-day Sweden between the fourth and sixth century a Swedish ethnicity develops. This ethnicity forms part of the Vikings. In the eleventh century the two Swedish states, Svealand and Gotland, merge into the feudal Kingdom of Sweden. Sweden conquers Finland between 1157 and 1293. Between 1397 and 1434 the Kingdom of Sweden is in a personal union with and subordinated to Denmark.

Sweden regains independence in 1435 inside the union and a first Swedish diet is formed. Between 1517 and 1523 Sweden is occupied by Denmark, but in 1523 a strengthened Kingdom of Sweden regains independence. In the upcoming century Sweden conquers areas like Estonia, Latvia and parts of Northern Germany. After the defeat in 1718 in the Nordic War Sweden has to pull out of the Baltic and Northern German possesions. Sweden suffers further territorial losses during the Napoleonic wars and is forced to cede Finland to Russia in 1809. The following year, the Swedish king's adopted heir, the French marshal Bernadotte is elected crown prince as Karl Johan by the Riksdag. In 1813 his forces join the allies against Napoleon. The Congress of Vienna compensates Sweden for its lost German territory through a merger of the Swedish and Norwegian crowns in a dual monarchy, which will last until 1905. The 19th century is marked by the emergence of a liberal opposition press, the abolition of guild monopolies in trade and manufacturing in favor of free enterprise, the introduction of taxation and voting reforms and the installation of a national military service.

In 1867 Sweden becomes a parliamentary monarchy and at the end of the 19th Sweden develops into a parliamentary democracy. The first prime minister is the liberal Louis Gerhard de Geer af Finspång (1876-1880). He is succeeded in 1880 by Arvid Rutger Fredrikson Posse of the agrarian Lantmannapartiet (Peasants' Party, Lp). In 1884 Carl Johan Thyselius of the conservatives becomes prime minister, but the liberals take over in 1884 with Oscar Robert Themptander. The conservatives resumes office in 1888 with Didrik Anders Gillis Bildt. The Protektionistiska majoritetspartiet (Protectionary Majority Party, PMP) can lead the government since 1889, with Baron Johan Gustaf Nils Samuel Åkerhielm af Margretelund. In 1891 Erik Gustaf Boström of the agrarian Nya Lantmannapartiet (New Peasants' Party, NL) becomes prime minister, which he remains - with an interuption by Baron Fredrik Wilhelm von Otter (1900-1902) - until 1905. At the end of 1905 Karl Albert Staaff of the Liberala samlingspartiet (Liberal Coaliton Party, LSP) becomes prime minister for the first time. The conservatives takes over in 1906 with Salomon Arvid Achates Lindman.

In 1911 universal male suffrage is introduced and Karl Albert Staaff resumes office. After the 1914 elections Hjalmar Hammarskjöld of the Hp becomes prime minister. In 1917 the elections are won by the Sveriges Socialdemokratiska Arbetarepartiet (Social Democratic Workers'Party of Sweden, SAP). They join the liberals in a coalition under LSP prime minister Nils Edén (1917-1920). This government realizes universal suffrage. In 1920 Karl Hjalmar Branting (1920-1920 and 1921-1923) of the SAP can lead the government. 1923 brings the conservative Högerpartiet (Right-Wing Party, Hp) to power with Ernst Trygger, but he is succeeded in 1924 by Branting. He in his turn is succeded by Rickard Johannes Sandler. Since 1926 the liberal Frisinnade Folkpartiet (Freethinking People's Party, FF) can lead the government. Carl Gustaf Ekman becomes prime minister until 1932, with an interuption by Hp prime minister Salomon Arvid Achates Lindman between 1928 and 1930.

In 1932 the SAP takes over with Per Albin Hansson. With a short interruption in 1936 he remains prime minister until his death in 1946. He is succeeded by Tage Fritiof Erlander. Erlander holds power until 1969, when he is succeeded by Sven Olof Joachim Palme. The non-social democratic parties take over in 1976 with Thorbjörn Fälldin of the agrarian Centerpartiet (Centre Party, Cp) (1976-1978 and 1979-1982) and Ola Ullsten of the liberal Folkpartiet (People's Party, Fp) (1978-1979). Palme resumes office in 1982. After his assasination in 1984 Ingvar Gösta Carlsson succeeds him. A non-socialist government lead by Carl Bildt of the conservative Moderata Samlingspartiet (Moderate Coalition Party, M) holds office between 1991 and 1994. In 1994 the SAP wins the elections and Carlsson resumes office. Sweden joins the European Union in 1995. He is succeeded in 1996 by Göran Persson.