Why Åland Islands Wanted to Join Sweden but Ended Up in Finland

The Åland Question: How Finland Kept an Island That Wanted Sweden

The Åland Islands are a peaceful and beautiful place today, known for their Swedish-speaking population, breathtaking nature, and maritime history. But a century ago, these islands were at the center of a political struggle between Sweden and Finland. The people of Åland wanted to join Sweden, but instead, they became part of Finland. How did this happen? Let’s explore the story behind Åland’s unique status.

Åland: A Swedish-Speaking Island Group in Finland

The Åland Islands are a group of over 6,500 islands located between Sweden and Finland in the Baltic Sea. While they belong to Finland, almost everyone in Åland speaks Swedish, follows Swedish traditions, and feels culturally closer to Sweden. This history goes back hundreds of years.

For a long time, Åland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden. However, in 1809, Sweden lost a war against Russia. As a result, Sweden had to give up both Finland and Åland to the Russian Empire. Åland was now ruled by Russia, but the people still spoke Swedish and followed Swedish customs.

Fast forward to 1917, and the situation changed again. Finland declared independence from Russia, and suddenly, Åland was part of this new Finnish nation. But there was a big problem—most Ålanders didn’t want to be part of Finland. They wanted to rejoin Sweden instead.

Why Did Åland Want to Join Sweden?

There were several reasons why the people of Åland wanted to become part of Sweden rather than Finland:

1. Language and Culture – The people of Åland spoke Swedish and felt Swedish. Finland, on the other hand, had both Finnish and Swedish speakers, but Finnish nationalism was growing, and Swedish culture was becoming less important there.
2. History – Åland had been part of Sweden for centuries before Russia took over. Many Ålanders saw Sweden as their true home.
3. Fear of Losing Their Identity – After Finland became independent, there was concern that the Finnish government would not respect Åland’s language and traditions.

In 1919, a referendum (vote) was held in Åland. An overwhelming 96.4% of the people voted to join Sweden. It seemed like Åland’s future was clear—they would become Swedish again. But that’s not what happened.

Why Did Åland End Up in Finland?

Despite Åland’s wishes, Finland refused to give up the islands. Finland was a newly independent country and didn’t want to lose any territory. The Finnish government argued that Åland was an important part of Finland, even if the people spoke Swedish.

The situation became a major international dispute, so Sweden and Finland brought the issue to the League of Nations (an early version of the United Nations) in 1921. After much debate, the League made a decision:

• Åland would remain part of Finland
• Åland would be given autonomy (self-rule) to protect its Swedish language and culture
• The islands would be demilitarized, meaning no military forces could be stationed there

Neither Sweden nor Åland was completely happy with the decision, but Finland agreed to follow the League’s ruling.

Åland's Unique Status Today

Since 1921, Åland has remained part of Finland, but it has special rights:

1. Self-Government – Åland has its own parliament, which makes local laws separate from Finland.
2. Swedish Language Protection – Swedish is the only official language in Åland, even though Finland is mostly Finnish-speaking.
3. Demilitarization – No Finnish military is allowed on Åland, making it one of the few demilitarized areas in the world.

Even though Åland is officially Finnish, it continues to have strong cultural and economic ties with Sweden. Many Ålanders consider themselves culturally Swedish, and there are still debates from time to time about whether Åland should belong to Sweden instead.

A Unique Island with a Unique Story

Åland’s history is a fascinating example of how politics, culture, and international diplomacy can shape the fate of a region. The islands wanted to join Sweden, but global politics decided otherwise. Today, Åland remains a part of Finland, but with its own unique identity.

While the political struggle is in the past, Åland continues to be a place where Swedish heritage and Finnish governance exist side by side. And for travelers, it’s a must-visit destination full of natural beauty, maritime history, and a story unlike any other.