An Examination of the Different Factors that Molded Finish Nationalism

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An Examination of the Different Factors that Molded Finish Nationalism

In a period when the emergence of nationalism across Europe was following a traditional pattern, Finland experienced a unique and far more passive movement. Shaping its growing nationhood around its historic ties to Sweden and the ancient Finish language, Finish nationalism grew slowly and essentially peacefully out of the control of its Russian ruler.

To fully understand the origin of the Finish nation and its patriotism, it is essential to comprehend its history and cultural descent. Since the Middle Ages, 1154, Finland had been a part of the Swedish state. This was a peaceful political dominance, which saw Swedish law and political administration in Finland. The language of the upper class and administration was also Swedish, although Finnish was spoken by the rest of the population. However, this did not create animosity on the part of the people because religious texts and laws were written in Finnish. The people also shared the common worship of Lutheranism. These beliefs were greatly embedded in Finnish society since King John III’s Church Ordinance of 1571 . Therefore, most of the cultural identity which Finland has sustained was of early Swedish origin. The two nations did not diverge in this area until the nineteenth century. There were a few political characteristics which permeated Finland due to its geographic links to the east that didn’t reach Sweden. However, Finland’s only consistent divergence from Swedish culture was its distinct language.

This only became important to the evolution of Finish culture when their nation fell under Russian rule in 1809. Sweden and the Swedish dominated ruling class of Finland realized they wo...

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...Finnish nationalism through the various factors was the inconsistent attitude and governing style of Russia. Shifted from leniency to severe oppression in their rule of Finland was as if Russia was fueling the fire that they had ignited.

Bibliography:

Bibliography

Jutikkala, Eino. A History of Finland. Translated by Kauko Pirinen. London: Thames and Hudson, 1962.

Karner, Tracy. Finnish Move to Independence, 1809-1918 (Ethnic and Racial Studies ed. Anthony D. Smith, vol. 14). Routledge.

Klinge, Matti. A Brief History of Finland, Otava, 1982

Klinge Matti. Finland: From Napoleonic Legacy to Nordic Co-operation. In The National Question In Europe In Historical Context, ed M. Teich & R. Porter, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.

Stoddard, Theodore L. et al. Area Handbook for Finland. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1974.

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