The Grand Duchy of Finland refers to a historical period and territory from 1809 to 1917, during which Finland was an autonomous state under the Russian Empire. Following the Finnish War between Sweden and Russia, the Treaty of Fredrikshamn in 1809 ceded Finland from Sweden to Russia. As a result, Finland became an integral part of the Russian Empire, but it was granted a distinct status as a Grand Duchy.
As a Grand Duchy, Finland had a considerable amount of internal autonomy. The governance of Finland was overseen by the Tsar of Russia, who held the title of Grand Duke of Finland. The Finnish Diet, a legislative assembly, was responsible for domestic affairs such as legislation, taxation, and legal matters. Therefore, while Finland was under Russian sovereignty, it had its own legal system, currency, administration, and even a separate military force.
The Grand Duchy of Finland experienced significant social, cultural, and economic development during this period. Finnish national identity began to strengthen, and there was a revival of Finnish language and culture. The Finnish economy also flourished, benefiting from industrialization and a growing capitalist sector. This period is often referred to as the "Golden Age" of Finland, characterized by stability and progress.
The autonomy of the Grand Duchy, however, eventually came to an end as Finland declared its independence from Russia in 1917 during the turbulence of the Russian Revolution. Thus, the Grand Duchy of Finland played a significant role in shaping Finnish history and its path towards independence.
