Originating in the 16th century as a titular grand duchy held by the King of Sweden, the country became autonomous after its annexation by Russia in the Finnish War of 1808–1809. The Grand Duke of Finland was the Romanov Emperor of Russia, represented by the Governor-General.

In response, Imperial Russia invaded Swedish Finland in what later became known as the Finnish War (21 February 1808 – 17 September 1809), which ended favourably for Alexander. In 1809, the lost territory of Sweden became the Grand Duchy of Finland, an autonomous part of the Russian Empire.

May 24, 2020 · Finland was not annexed to the Russian Empire but was joined to Russia instead through the person of the tsar. In addition, Finland was made an autonomous state–the Grand Duchy of Finland–with its inherited traditions intact.

But when Finland was joined to Russia in 1809 it became an autonomous grand duchy. The grand duke was the Russian emperor, whose representative in Finland was the governor general. Finland's highest governing body was the senate, whose members were Finns.

But when Finland was joined to Russia in 1809 it became an autonomous Grand Duchy. The Grand Duke was the Russian Emperor, whose representative in Finland was the Governor General. A view of Helsinki from the late 19th century, by Oscar Kleineh (1846–1919).

The Grand Duchy of Finland (literally Grand Principality of Finland) was the predecessor state of modern Finland. It existed 1809–1917 as part of the Russian Empire and was ruled by the Russian Emperor as Grand Prince.

Finland was not annexed to the Russian Empire but was joined to Russia instead through the person of the tsar. In addition, Finland was made an autonomous state--the Grand Duchy of Finland--with its inherited traditions intact.

The Grand Duchy of Finland was set up by Tsar Alexander I in order to bypass Finnish resistance to Russia. He promised to respect Finland’s Lutheran faith, Swedish base Diet and Estates, freedom of language and other minor details.

Dec 6, 2021 · Alexander I declares Finland part of Russia without waiting for the end of the 1808-1809 Russia-Finland War. Documents regarding Finland's autonomy and independence, as well as other Finnish history documents.

Feb 26, 2024 · Explore the rich history of the Grand Duchy of Finland and its autonomy from Russia amidst the backdrop of the European Wars of Independence. Unveil the resilience of the Finnish people in the face of Russification policies and their journey towards greater autonomy and eventual independence.