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”Hwart hjerta andas krig”: en analys av framställningen av krig i skillingtryck 1770–1830.

Zackariasson, Sofia LU (2025) HISS33 20251
History
Abstract
”Hwart hjerta andas krig”: an analysis of the depiction of war in Skillingtryck 1770–1830.
Even though modern Swedish history has been distinctively peaceful, with the country not having been at war since 1814, the Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson stated in January 2025 that Sweden, while not at war, is not at peace. Since conceptualizations of war have varied throughout history, this thesis aims to study how war was portrayed in Swedish Skillingtryck 1770–1830. Skillingtryck is a form of cheap print that circulated amongst large parts of the Swedish population, giving them a wide potential reach. The period of 1770–1830 is relevant when studying portrayals of war in Sweden because it encapsulates multiple wars, periods of peace,... (More)
”Hwart hjerta andas krig”: an analysis of the depiction of war in Skillingtryck 1770–1830.
Even though modern Swedish history has been distinctively peaceful, with the country not having been at war since 1814, the Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson stated in January 2025 that Sweden, while not at war, is not at peace. Since conceptualizations of war have varied throughout history, this thesis aims to study how war was portrayed in Swedish Skillingtryck 1770–1830. Skillingtryck is a form of cheap print that circulated amongst large parts of the Swedish population, giving them a wide potential reach. The period of 1770–1830 is relevant when studying portrayals of war in Sweden because it encapsulates multiple wars, periods of peace, and the end of Sweden’s last war in 1814. Through a thematic analysis, three themes that made up the portrayal of war are analyzed: portrayals of the nation of Sweden in relation to war, of death in battle, and of men, women, and their roles in war. Two sets of theoretical concepts are used, firstly regnal versus ethnic national identity, and secondly hegemonic masculinity and George Mosse’s concept of modern masculinity. The conclusions are that, in Skillingtryck 1770–1830, war was portrayed through the three aforementioned themes. Firstly, war was described as an important part of the Swedish nation, while Sweden was construed as a simultaneously regnal and ethnic national community. Secondly, death in battle was described as something that would be rewarded, either by guaranteed entry into heaven or eternal glory. Finally, a hegemonic masculinity was constructed, closely following the ideals Mosse establishes as part of modern masculinity. However, the ideal man in Skillingtryck was not just a soldier, he was also a father, husband, and a peaceful farmer when his efforts were not needed at war. Women were mainly described in relation to men, or as mothers of the nation, birthing and raising heroic sons. In summary, war was described as something done for the national community, regardless of if it was regnally or ethnically construed, and as a male arena. Every man, conforming to the ideals transmitted in the Skillingtryck, should be willing to die at war in order to be rewarded after death, and to live up to the hegemonic masculinity. (Less)
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author
Zackariasson, Sofia LU
supervisor
organization
course
HISS33 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
language
Swedish
id
9204531
date added to LUP
2025-07-08 13:14:34
date last changed
2025-07-08 13:14:34
@misc{9204531,
  abstract     = {{”Hwart hjerta andas krig”: an analysis of the depiction of war in Skillingtryck 1770–1830.
Even though modern Swedish history has been distinctively peaceful, with the country not having been at war since 1814, the Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson stated in January 2025 that Sweden, while not at war, is not at peace. Since conceptualizations of war have varied throughout history, this thesis aims to study how war was portrayed in Swedish Skillingtryck 1770–1830. Skillingtryck is a form of cheap print that circulated amongst large parts of the Swedish population, giving them a wide potential reach. The period of 1770–1830 is relevant when studying portrayals of war in Sweden because it encapsulates multiple wars, periods of peace, and the end of Sweden’s last war in 1814. Through a thematic analysis, three themes that made up the portrayal of war are analyzed: portrayals of the nation of Sweden in relation to war, of death in battle, and of men, women, and their roles in war. Two sets of theoretical concepts are used, firstly regnal versus ethnic national identity, and secondly hegemonic masculinity and George Mosse’s concept of modern masculinity. The conclusions are that, in Skillingtryck 1770–1830, war was portrayed through the three aforementioned themes. Firstly, war was described as an important part of the Swedish nation, while Sweden was construed as a simultaneously regnal and ethnic national community. Secondly, death in battle was described as something that would be rewarded, either by guaranteed entry into heaven or eternal glory. Finally, a hegemonic masculinity was constructed, closely following the ideals Mosse establishes as part of modern masculinity. However, the ideal man in Skillingtryck was not just a soldier, he was also a father, husband, and a peaceful farmer when his efforts were not needed at war. Women were mainly described in relation to men, or as mothers of the nation, birthing and raising heroic sons. In summary, war was described as something done for the national community, regardless of if it was regnally or ethnically construed, and as a male arena. Every man, conforming to the ideals transmitted in the Skillingtryck, should be willing to die at war in order to be rewarded after death, and to live up to the hegemonic masculinity.}},
  author       = {{Zackariasson, Sofia}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{”Hwart hjerta andas krig”: en analys av framställningen av krig i skillingtryck 1770–1830.}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}