The Scandinavian History Podcast

In the 1800s, Finland was still a part of the Russian empire. Much like in other places in Europe, a Finnish national consciousness was taking shape. But it was complicated. One complication was the competing visions for what that nation should be like. Another, was the fact that the Russians weren’t having any of it.

For decades, the union between Norway and Sweden seemed stable. But as democracy, national identity, and political ambitions gathered momentum, tensions steadily mounted. The Swedes would have to play a careful and skillful game if they wanted the union to survive.