Heidenstam era

In the history of Geatland, the Heidenstam era, also known as the Age of Democracy, refers to the period between 1867 and 1919. The period began when Field Marshal Leo von Heidenstam became the first premier of Geatland on 10 August 1867 and ended on 13 May 1917, when the Constitution of Geatland was amended to give women the right to vote. The era is most closely associated with the Belle Époque in Continental Euclea. This period of history marked the end of monarchical absolutism and the introduction of liberal democracy on the Geatish Islands. The Heidenstam era saw the belated industrialization of the Geatish economy and the rise of private enterprise. In terms of society and mores, the Heidenstam era saw the "Eucleanization" of Geatish culture, bringing the country closer with the traditions of the mainland. The revitalization of international trade grew the Geatish economy at an unprecedented rate, though this growth was stunted by the Great Collapse.

During his premiership, Leo von Heidenstam championed and enacted various democratizing reforms that shifted power away from traditional institutions like the monarchy and into popular offices like the Riksdag. Nevetheless, Heidenstam also worked to promote the interests and authority of the monarchy and nobility. Therefore, the Heidenstam era is often seen as the "transtion era" between the absolute monarchism that governed Geatland until the late 19th century and the age of constitutional monarchy created following the Great War. In terms of politics, the Heidenstam era saw the introduction of various new ideas into Geatland, such as socialism and prosperism. Conditions during the Heidenstam era also formed the basis of Geatland's modern political culture. It saw the rise of FOLK and the Geatish Labour Party.

Geatish historian Gösta Eriksson wrote, "The Heidenstam era is the foundation of a modern, prosperous Geatland. It was both the era of democracy and the reaction to it. The tug-of-war between liberals, monarchists and the emergent socialists preceded the political culture that would give rise to the Great War, but it also inform Geatish politics today. The Heidenstam era therefore represents the first true modern age of Geatland, the time when the ideals of the Great Realm were finally laid to rest."