History

In 1850 the Finnish Language Ordinance forbade the publication in Finnish of books other than those that aimed at religious edification, or economic benefit. On 6 December 1917, Finland declared its independence, which was recognized by the Bolsheviks on December 31st. After a brief civil war, the Finns adopted a republican constitution in 1919. During World War II, Finland fought the Soviet Union twice: in the Winter War (1939–1940) and then in the Continuation War (1941–1944). Finland was forced to cede one-tenth of its territory (now the Russian region of Karelia) to the Soviet Union, but avoided Soviet occupation, and preserved its independence. When the Civil War ended, it was decided, during the summer of 1918, to make Finland a monarchy, and in October the German prince Frederick Charles of Hessen was chosen as king. With Germany’s defeat in the war, however, General Mannerheim was designated regent, with the task of submitting a proposal for a new constitution. As it was obvious that Finland was to be a republic, the struggle now concerned presidential power. The liberal parties and the reorganized Social Democratic Party demanded power to be invested in Parliament, while the Conservatives argued that the president should have powers independent of Parliament.

Important leaders in finland's history are: The Swedish king, English bishop Henry, Birger, a Swedish jarl (a noble ranking immediately below the king), Torgils Knutsson, King Haakon of Sweden, Albert of Mecklenburg, Bo Jonsson Grip (a Swedish nobleman), Mikael Agricola, King John III, Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible, Charles IX, Gustav II Adolf, Charles XII, Russian empress Elizabeth, Göran Magnus Sprengtporten, Alexander I, Alexander II, Alexander III, Nicholas II, and General Nikolay Bobrikov.