[1] In 1718, after the death of Charles XII in Norway, the Age of Liberty in Sweden had officially begun, bringing in an era of freedom of speech and other rights.

However, in 1772, the Swedish king, Gustav III, organized a coup which would allow him to become an absolute monarch, the original plans were actually mostly composed by the Finnish Colonel, Jacob Magnus Sprengtporten.

The commander of the garrison, Carl Björnberg, was quickly arrested and the officers and soldiers were persuaded to join the revolt after the kings will was communicated to them.

[4][5] The revolt later spread to more parts of Finland, Councillor of the Realm Reuterholm was arrested on his property in Nyland, security forces were sent to the border with Russia and postal services going from Åland to Sweden were cut off.

He received a promotion to Lieutenant General and was appointed head of the bodyguard, simultaneously he was also awarded the Commander's Badge of the Order of the Sword with the large cross.