Det svenska samhället förändras i många avseenden under 1700- och 1800-talen. Under 1700-talet försvagas kungens makt och perioden brukar kallas Frihetstiden eftersom ett slags partipolitiskt system utvecklas. Under slutet av århundradet stärks kungens makt åter genom Gustav III- Jordbruksreformer gör att fördelningen av land förändras under perioden och produktionen ökar. Vidare bidrar upplysningen och sekularisering till utvecklingen under dessa århundraden.

The strictly hierarchical society where people were born into different estates was challenged in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the middle class – low aristocratic officials and townspeople – enhanced their economic and political influence. The power of the king declined in the 18th century and a kind of party politics developed. The period is called the Age of Liberty. Toward the end of the period the king Gustav III strengthened the power of the king again, but new groups had already grown mor politically powerful. Agriculture – the basis for most people's livelyhoods – was transformed, and the land was distributed in a different way at the end of the period compared with the beginning. Production was rendered more efficient. The conditions for commerce, consumption, and communication changed. Furthermore, Enlightment and secularization characterize the period, influencing developments not least through the questioning of ancient regimes.