1.1 The roots of Finnishness
1.2 Swedish rule and autonomy
1.3 Industrialization

1.3 Industrialization

In the mid-nineteenth century, Finland was still in the early stages of economic well-being. In contemporary terminology, Finland was a developing country. Production of goods in factories and the division of labour were just beginning. In the 1860s, only some 30,000 Finns worked in industry. That is about half of the workforce of contemporary Finland's biggest industrial company, Nokia.

The countryside lived primarily as a self-sufficient economy. The economy was largely based on barter. In rural areas, money was basically only needed to pay taxes. In 1870, the value of production per capita was less than 40 per cent of that in Great Britain at the time.

Besides Denmark, the other Nordic countries did not have a much higher income level than in Finland. At the time, most of the Latin American countries were at the same stage of development, even though they were on average wealthier in natural resources than the Nordic countries.

Finnish 19th century history in a nutshell

1808-1809 Russia attacks Finland, Sweden is forced to give up the territory to Russia.
1809 Russian Tsar Alexander I convenes the Diet, Finland's first legislature, and grants Finland autonomous status.
1812 Helsinki becomes capital of Finland.
1863 Alexander II re-convenes the Diet.
1899-1905 Russia's first period of repression against autonomous Finland.
1907 Finland elects its first Parliament through universal, equal suffrage.
1908-1917 Russia's second period of repression against Finland.
1917 Finland gains independence.