Finland

Finland, a Nordic country in Europe, shares land borders with Russia to the east, Norway to the north, and Sweden to the west. This country’s location, natural resources, and interactions with neighboring countries have all contributed to its unique and varied history.

The Beginnings of Civilization and History

Settlement in what is now Finland began around 10,000 BC, during the early Stone Age. Early inhabitants were likely nomadic hunters and gatherers who made a living off the land and its resources. These people eventually developed a primitive form of agriculture by cultivating crops and raising animals.

Finnish territory included what is now known as Fennoscandia, a Baltic region, during the first centuries AD. The Sami, an indigenous people still present in what is now northern Finland, were among the many groups who called the region home. The Sami were a nomadic people who hunted and fished for a living in small communities across the region.

When King Eric the Holy of Sweden declared a crusade against the Finns in the 12th century, Finland fell under Swedish control. The region was conquered and brought under Swedish rule by nobility and soldiers from that country. It was the first step in Sweden’s long rule over Finland.

To Rule Like a Swede:

Finland became a part of the Swedish Empire and remained there for the next 600 years. The period was marked by unprecedented cultural and economic development in the country. The Swedes organized their government into regional councils and a national parliament, and they also constructed cities, roads, and fortifications.

Finland was not immune to the effects of the Protestant Reformation that swept across Europe in the 16th century. The Lutheran Church gained prominence and influenced architectural trends; as a result, many new churches and cathedrals were constructed in the new style.

A shift occurred in Finland’s relationship with Sweden in the latter half of the 18th century. Finland’s rising importance as a trading partner with Russia exacerbated tensions between the two countries, as the two countries had divergent economic interests. With the Treaty of Fredrikshamn in 1809, Sweden handed over Finland to Russia.

Rule by the Russians:

Finland was given considerable independence by the Russians, to the point where it became known as the Grand Duchy of Finland. The Senate of Finland drafted the country’s constitution, designed its flag, and issued its currency. Russia’s Czar Alexander I vowed to uphold Finland’s constitutional protections, and for the most part, he did.

Finland’s cultural and economic development reached a peak in the nineteenth century, a time period known as the Finnish Golden Age. The economy grew and Finland’s artists, writers, and musicians became household names around the world.

Finland was the first European country to give women the vote in 1906. This forward-thinking change was symptomatic of a broader democratic and reformist movement throughout Europe at the time.

Independence:

Even though Finland took no side in World War I, the conflict nonetheless had a profound effect on the country. Finnish independence was declared by the Finnish Parliament in 1917 as Russian influence waned.

Finland experienced political upheaval and conflict during its early years of independence. Finland fought two wars against the Soviet Union during World War II, as the country was torn between the two superpowers and their opposing ideologies.

Upon the conclusion of hostilities, Finland adopted a stance of neutrality and applied for membership in the United Nations. Finland’s economy flourished, and in the 1970s and 1980s, the country gained international recognition for its cutting-edge technological innovations.

This is contemporary Finland:

Finland is now a developed, wealthy country with an excellent standard of living. The country’s economy is diverse, encompassing both a robust welfare system and a dynamic, forward-thinking commitment to cutting-edge scientific and technological advancement. Finland is well-known for its forward-thinking social policies, such as its extensive parental leave and its advocacy for gender equality.

Northern European Finland is lauded for its exemplary educational system, generous social safety net, and stunning landscapes. However, its history of racism is complex and painful, as is the case in many other countries.

The concept of racism has changed over time, and this must be taken into account before exploring its development in Finland. Discrimination on the basis of one’s race and the belief that there are inherent racial hierarchies are 20th-century developments. But that doesn’t discount the possibility of racism existing in other forms before that time.

Before the beginning of time

The history of Finland is lengthy and intricate, spanning times of colonization, occupation, and independence. In the period between 4000 and 5000 years ago, the Finnish people are assumed to have settled in the region. Many nations, including the Swedes and the Russians, have attempted to colonize Finland throughout history. Racism in Finland has been profoundly affected by these power struggles throughout its history.

The Sami, a northern European people indigenous to Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, are a prime example of this phenomenon. Discrimination, cultural assimilation, and forced relocation have plagued the Sami for centuries. In Finland, this has included removing Sami children from their homes and placing them in boarding schools, where they are taught only Finnish and expected to give up their native language and culture.

Colonialism

Finland established its own colonies, primarily in Africa. Finland established a foothold in the area that is now Tanzania in the late 1800s and early 1900s, ostensibly for the purposes of missionary work and economic development. The local population, however, paid a heavy price for this colonization in the form of labor and resource exploitation. Calls for recognition and restitution of the harm caused by Finland’s colonial rule in Tanzania have gained traction in recent years.

What Effect Did Nazism Have?

For a brief period of time during World War II, Finland sided with Nazi Germany against the Soviet Union. It’s true that Finland didn’t adopt the Nazis’ antisemitic policies wholesale, but there were plenty of Finns who were on board with the Nazi cause. The Finnish SS, a paramilitary group, fought on the Eastern Front alongside the Nazis.

After World War II, the Finnish government made efforts to erase the memories of its collaboration with Nazi Germany. The reputation of Finland and the way racism is viewed in Finland have been damaged by the history of the country’s cooperation with the Nazis.

Racism in the Modern World

There has been an uptick in both anti-immigrant sentiment and hate crimes in Finland in recent years. The influx of refugees and asylum seekers in the wake of the Syrian civil war is largely to blame for this. Although many Finns have opened their arms and hearts to refugees, others have become increasingly nationalistic and anti-immigrant.

The rise of the Finns Party, a right-wing populist party that has been accused of fostering anti-immigrant sentiment and Islamophobia, is one such example. In the parliamentary elections of 2019, the Finns Party received the second-highest number of votes, indicating significant support for their policies.

Discrimination against Finland’s Roma population is another pressing issue that has received increased attention in recent years. The Roma people have lived in Finland for centuries, but they have been marginalized and poor throughout that time. The anti-racism commission of the Council of Europe published a report in 2019 detailing the widespread discrimination against the Roma in the fields of academia, the labor force, and the real estate market.

Conclusion

Racial discrimination in Finland has a long and complicated history. There is a long history of racism in Finland, beginning with the colonization of the Sami and continuing through the legacy of Finnish collaboration with the Nazis.

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