Finland

Before the 20th Century

The story of Finland before the 20th century is largely a tale of wars between Sweden and Russia. During the 12th and 13th centuries, Sweden gradually gained control of Finland, which became a Swedish province in the 14th century. Finland [Page 633]remained part of the Swedish kingdom until 1809, when it was seized by Russia. The Swedes had treated the Finns reasonably well, bringing them Christianity, education, and the law. However, the Finns had suffered terribly in the wars with Russia—thousands of Finns were killed fighting for Sweden, and famine and disease overran ...