Suomen historia Flashcards
What were the primary activities of Saami and Finns before the Christian era in Finland?
The Saami were mainly hunter-gatherers in the North, while the Finns were more southern, mingling with neighboring cultures and adopting practices, notably agriculture.
How did Christianity come to Finland during the medieval period?
Sweden introduced Christianity to Finland during the medieval crusades, leading to Finland being brought under the Swedish crown.
What was the significance of the Treaty of Nöteborg (Pähkinäsaaren rauha) in 1323?
It was a peace agreement between Sweden and Novgorod that determined their borders, stretching from near Vyborg to an uncertain northern point.
Describe the societal structure in medieval Finland and the status of Finnish peasants.
Finland was a feudal society. However, Finnish peasants had relatively better conditions than many of their European counterparts. The nobility was predominantly Swedish and were not as dominant due to their limited numbers in Finland.
What was the Kalmar Union, and why did it disintegrate in 1523?
The Kalmar Union, established in 1397, unified Denmark, Norway, and Sweden (including Finland) to counterbalance the Hanseatic League. It dissolved by 1523 due to Swedish revolts, anti-union sentiments, and events like the Stockholm Bloodbath. Under Gustav Vasa and Erik Fleming, the Danes were expelled from Sweden and Finland, respectively.
Major reforms initiated by Gustav I Vasa.
He solidified the king’s position, transitioned from elective monarchy to hereditary, and divided Sweden into duchies each overseen by one of his sons. The duchy of Finland was led by Juhana.
Impact of Martin Luther’s ideas on Gustav I Vasa.
Gustav initiated the Reformation in Sweden based on Luther’s teachings, diminishing the church’s authority. The church’s primary allegiance transitioned from the Pope to the Swedish crown, and it lost significant property.
Contributions of Agricola in the 16th century.
Agricola was instrumental in creating the official Finnish written language. Notable works include Abckirja (1543) and Se Wsi Testamenti (1548).
Gustav I Vasa’s intent behind founding Helsinki.
He aimed for Helsinki to rival Tallinn in Eastern trade, but the city couldn’t compete effectively due to its unfavorable location.
Power dynamics post the death of Gustav I Vasa in 1560.
His eldest son Eerik took the throne, but Juhana struggled with this change. The late 1500s witnessed political instability, with the monarchy’s influence largely contingent on the high nobility.
The contention between Sigismund and Kaarle.
After Juhana’s demise, his son Sigismund became king but also governed Latvia and Poland, spending little time in Sweden. Kaarle, acting in his stead, rose as Sweden’s de facto ruler.
Circumstances in Finland during the Russian war.
Peasants bore the burden of provisioning and accommodating soldiers. While Kaarle intended to alleviate this post-war around 1594-1595, Sigismund’s marshal, Klaus Fleming, disregarded this directive, souring the peasants’ attitudes.
The 1596-1597 rebellion in Finland.
Dubbed the “Nuijasota”, Finnish peasants, with Jaakko Ilkka at the helm, rose against Fleming, the southern Finnish region, and the aristocracy. They hoped Kaarle would intervene. In the end, Fleming’s forces triumphed.
The resolution of confrontations between Kaarle’s and Sigismund’s factions in Sweden.
Kaarle’s battalions defeated Sigismund’s. Sigismund’s loyalists in Finland capitulated, leading to the execution of some nobles, tarnishing Finland’s image for some time.
The aggressive expansionist policy of Sweden during the 1600s.
Under King Gustavus II Adolphus (Kustaa II Aadolf), Sweden aggressively expanded its territories, waging successful wars against Poland, Denmark-Norway, Russia, and Germany. This period includes the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648), after which Sweden controlled nearly all of the Baltic coastline. However, legends of Finnish hakkapeliitta soldiers are considered exaggerated today.
Major administrative reforms in Sweden during 1600 - 1700.
The Council of State became the primary decision-making body. The Chancellery facilitated communication between agencies, the Chamber dealt with taxes, and the Colleges functioned similarly to modern ministries, incorporating experts who voted on matters. Sweden was divided into 16 counties, with 4 in Finland. Each county was governed by a governor responsible for administration and taxation.
Development of the Riksdag (Valtiopäivät) in Sweden.
By the 1660s, regular Riksdag meetings became institutionalized. Instead of parties, different estates had representatives, even peasants, which was rare in Europe at the time. While the king could decide in case of disputes, the general practice was to agree if 3 estates concurred. In 1693, King Charles XI declared autocracy, diminishing the Riksdag’s role for decades.
Influence of Mercantilism in Sweden in 17th century.
The economy was actively directed, centralizing trade in cities. Only three Finnish cities (Turku, Helsinki, Viipuri) were allowed international trade, with tar being Finland’s primary export.
The Great Famine of 1695-1697
During a period called the “Little Ice Age”, climatic changes led to crop failures. Combined with Sweden’s heavy focus on warfare and neglect of the populace in its mercantilist policies, it resulted in a devastating famine. Estimates suggest 25-30% of Finland’s population died due to starvation and diseases.
Educational investments in Finland during 1600 - 1700.
Trivial schools (elementary schools) with Swedish as the medium of instruction were established. After this, students could attend a gymnasium (high school) with instruction in Latin and Swedish. In 1640, the University of Turku (Turun Akatemia) was founded, primarily as an institution for training clergy and officials.
The beginning of the 18th century and the challenges faced by young King Kaarle XIII.
In 1700, old adversaries of Sweden – Denmark, Poland, and Russia – allied and attacked Sweden, challenging the abilities of the young King Kaarle XIII. Though initially defensive, Sweden faced defeats, notably in 1709, which saw Kaarle XII fleeing to the Ottoman Empire.
Uudenkaupungin rauha in 1721.
Declared in 1721, the Treaty of Nystad ended the Great Northern War. This treaty was heavily influenced by Russia. Sweden lost its great power status, relinquishing the southern shores of the Gulf of Finland, many areas from the Russian border, and the Karelian Isthmus.
The era known as Isonvihan aika (1710-1721).
Inspired by their successes in the Great Northern War battles of 1709, Russia invaded Finland, capturing Viipuri in 1710. By 1714, all of Finland was occupied. This period of intense hardship lasted until 1721. Russian forces were notably brutal, taking 20,000 - 30,000 Finnish prisoners and causing many others to flee.
The shift towards parliamentary governance after the Great Northern War.
The king’s autocracy was viewed as a reason for Sweden’s decline post-war. Thus, royal powers were curtailed, and the Riksdag regained importance. The Council of State members were chosen via votes and had to gain the trust of the estates, marking the beginning of parliamentary governance in Sweden. Two significant parties emerged: the Myssyt, favoring diplomatic relations, and the Hatut, who dreamt of reclaiming the great power status.
