Finnish-Swedish relations
Encyclopedia
Finnish-Swedish relations have a long history, due to the close relationship between Finland
and Sweden
. Particularly in Finland, the issue emerges in frequent exposés of Finnish history
, and in motives for governmental proposals and actions as reported in Finnish news broadcasts in English or other foreign languages. In Sweden, this relationship is a recurrent important theme of 20th-century history, although maybe by most Swedes considered to be an issue of purely historical relevance now that both countries have been members of the European Union
since 1995.
. Finland was a fully integrated part of the Swedish realm and legally the Finns had the same rights and duties as all citizens. But the language used in administration and education was Swedish. During the 20th century, after Finland's 1917 freedom from Russia
n rule, much of the governmental administration and higher education was conducted according to old tradition in disproportionate amounts in Swedish
.
During World War II
Sweden, a neutral country in the conflict, supported Finland's cause to a certain but limited amount, including over 8,000 volunteers. After the war Sweden had a clear head-start in the post-war economical development, much due to its neutrality in the war, making the Finnish-Swedish relationship similar to that of Finland and Estonia
of today since the 1990s. Since the mid 1990's, the inequalities between Finland and Sweden can be seen as balanced, and the relations between the two countries be seen as equal and good.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
and Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. Particularly in Finland, the issue emerges in frequent exposés of Finnish history
History of Finland
The land area that now makes up Finland was settled immediately after the Ice Age, beginning from around 8500 BCE. Most of the region was part of the Kingdom of Sweden from the 13th century to 1809, when it was ceded to the Russian Empire, becoming the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland. The...
, and in motives for governmental proposals and actions as reported in Finnish news broadcasts in English or other foreign languages. In Sweden, this relationship is a recurrent important theme of 20th-century history, although maybe by most Swedes considered to be an issue of purely historical relevance now that both countries have been members of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
since 1995.
History
Because the area that later became Finland was annexed by Sweden during the 13th century and was ruled by Swedish monarchs up until 1809, Sweden was by the Finns often seen as suppressive party in their relationship, especially with regard to the status of the Finnish languageFinnish language
Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland Primarily for use by restaurant menus and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. In Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meänkieli, a...
. Finland was a fully integrated part of the Swedish realm and legally the Finns had the same rights and duties as all citizens. But the language used in administration and education was Swedish. During the 20th century, after Finland's 1917 freedom from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n rule, much of the governmental administration and higher education was conducted according to old tradition in disproportionate amounts in Swedish
Swedish language
Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Sweden, a neutral country in the conflict, supported Finland's cause to a certain but limited amount, including over 8,000 volunteers. After the war Sweden had a clear head-start in the post-war economical development, much due to its neutrality in the war, making the Finnish-Swedish relationship similar to that of Finland and Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
of today since the 1990s. Since the mid 1990's, the inequalities between Finland and Sweden can be seen as balanced, and the relations between the two countries be seen as equal and good.