Kings and czars before presidents

Swedish influence reached Finland together with catholic missionaries in the 12th century, and by the 14th century, most of Finland was under Swedish rule. In the following years, Finnish soldiers became a part of the Swedish armies that dominated Northern Europe in the 17th century.

When Sweden lost Finland to Russia in 1809, Finland became an autonomous Grand Duchy of Russia. The head of state thus became a Russian czar, yet the Finns were allowed to keep the administration established under Swedish rule.

Finland became independent on December 6, 1917 in the aftermath of World War I and the Russian Revolution. A Finnish kingdom was considered briefly, but the majority favored a republic. At last, a president became head of state.

The early stages of building the republic were not easy, due largely to the breakout of civil war in 1918. Approximately 300,000 Finns emigrated to the U.S in the following years.
Finland faced its toughest test for sovereignty in November 1939 as the Soviet Union sent in troops to conquer the nation. In the ensuing Winter War, Finland held its independence and maintained control of most of its land against an enemy that had looked invincible.
New foreign policy established after this time accentuated good relations between east and west. In fact, during the Cold War Finland acted as a broker of détente between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Finland joined the United Nations in 1955 and the European Union in 1995.

A Chronology of Finnish History
Main Outlines of Finnish History
The Prehistory of Finland
Finland 500 years on the Map of Europe
Finland's Leap Into Democracy - 1906
The Impossible Happened Thrice
Lessons of the Winter War
The Kämp Press Room

Finland, Stalin and Germany in the 1930's
Finland's Relations with the Soviet Union

The Many Karelias
Forests and Finnish Culture
Milestones for Finnish Women
Finland and the Nordic Countries
The Ancient Religion of the Finns
Medieval Castles in Finland
Helsinki's Senate Square
Petäjävesi Old Church
Photographing the Wreck of the Vrouw Maria
Suomenlinna - Finland's Treasured Island Fortress

Last update 11.6.2007

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