1. The History of Finland: Milestones and Perceptions ECNAIS / HYRY Conference Helsinki 14.4.2010 Henrik Meinander

2. Changing perspectives National views never static, they change with society The nation, often described as An imagined community (Benedict Anderson) But a traditional MASTER STORY is still important and necessary Can be, should be combined with new perspective (Global History, Micro History)

3. Four milestones The nation is created ideologically, then implemented as a mass movement The state is constructed and gains sovereignty Existential war experiences 1939-1945 The welfare state: formation and renewal

4. A nation in creation Over 600 years integrated part of Swedish Kingdom Joined 1809 to the Russian empire J.L. Runeberg, Elias Lönnrot & J.V. Snellman verbalized the idea of Finnishness Nationalism, a new religion suitably integrating for civic society

5. The state & sovereignty The state construction started in 1809, enforced after 1863 In 1917 Finland was already a state within the state, ready for independency Power politics luckíly favourable for Finland The Sovjet Union – a necessary & unavoidable neighbour!

6. War experiences The years 1939-1945 the ultimate manhood test for the nation The war still a dominating chapter in the Finnish Patriotic Narrative The war continously reproduced in our memory culture: books, films, public statues etc

7. The welfare state The swift construction of the Finnish welfare state – a European record! Finns do not speak about their welfare state as a ”folkhem” like the Swedes The transformation has been to rapid and often stressful EU membership? Increasingly understood as a milestone!