Then Swänska Argus och svenskheten. En studie gällande Argus medverkan till skapandet av en nationell identitet i Sverige

Sammanfattning: This thesis examines the Swedish newspaper Then Swänska Argus published between the years 1732-1734 in the context of the emergence of a national identity during the same era. The thesis investigate how Argus talks about Sweden and the Swedes, as well as the interaction between the newspaper and the readers. Part of Benedict Anderson theory of the importance of the newspaper for a imagined communitie is used for the analysis as well as Jonas Nordins research about Swedish national identity in the early modern era. The thesis concludes that there are signs of an emerging sense of national identity in Then Swänska Argus. There is also interaction between the newspaper and the readers through letters sent to the newspaper which can contribute to a sense of shared community. When it comes to Argus opinion on Sweden and the Swedes the thesis concludes that the Swedish language is important for both Sweden and the Swedes. The Swedish language has been diluted by foreign influences and must return to its Swedish roots according to Then Swänska Argus.