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FIRST STAGE OF FINLAND'S RUSSIFICATION (1899-1905)

S. Pogodin, N. Bogdanova

Abstract

The paper considers the first stage of Finland's Russification. The period from 1899 to 1917 is often characterized in the national historiography as a long period of forced russification and oppression. The main methods of research were: review, classification of historical documents and scientific articles on this subject, statistical data analysis, generalization methods. The policy of the Russian Empire towards the Grand Duchy of Finland in late XIX – early XX centuries was named Russification of Finland. It was aimed at the gradual elimination of Finland’s autonomy and at its integration into the empire with fully autocratic rule. Most notably, this policy had been implemented from 1899 to 1905 and from 1908 to 1917. In the Finnish historiography, these periods are known as “times of oppression”. The policy of cohesion between the Russian Empire and the Grand Duchy of Finland contradicted programs of all political parties of Finland. The growth and development of Russian entrepreneurship within the Duchy were considered by Finns as a negative thing. The attitude to military, postal, and other reforms was also negative. The paper’s materials can be used to analyze and take into account geopolitical interests of modern states in planning the national policy, where interests of the mankind should be emphasized and decisions should be made in compliance with interests of the international community and the international law.

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