Laws and government - invader impact in Finland

Laws and Government

Metsäkylän Yhtenäiskoulu, Finland

Milla Pihlajamäki, Annika Marjamäki, Maiju Lepistö, Karla Kirvesmäki, Valtti Järvi and Niklas Niemelä

Finland’s Form of Government

•      Finland was a monarchy when part of Sweden (until year 1809). At that time, Finland was allowed to decide some of its matters.

•      When Finland became part of the Russian empire, it was granted an autonomy.

•      When Finland became independent, it was going to become a monarchy and we were to get a ruler, a German Prince Friedrich Karl of Hessen. Because German lost World War I, the plans for the monarchy were cancelled. It was then decided, that Finland will become a republic, which we still are.

Voting during Swedish and Russian reign

•      While under Swedish rule, only the four classes of society (peasantry, bourgeoisie, clergy and nobility) were allowed to vote.

•      General right to vote did not exist at that point.

•      In 1905, a general strike broke in Russia, and the Finns demanded for the return of autonomy.

•      In 1906, Finland had a parliamentary reformation and a general right to vote was granted to everyone. Finland also received its autonomy back.

Laws of today that existed before independence

•      The base of Finnish Crime Law (Suomen rikoslaki) dates back to 1894. A slight reform took place in 2003.

•      Since 1809 (time of Grand Duchy), Finland has had compulsory military service.

•      Most of the laws concerning mortgage/pawn were formed before Finland became independent and they are still valid.

Changes in Currency

•      Between 830-950, people used metal coins.

•      When Finland became part of Sweden, the Swedish crown became the official currency.

•      When part of Russia, the Russian currency rubles became Finland’s currency as well. Russia gave Finland permission to use it.

•      Finland got its own currency, the Finnish mark, in 1860.

•      Euro became Finland’s currency in 2002.

The impact of Sweden and Russia to Finnish government

•      When under Swedish rule, Finland was a monarchy and had a king (king of Sweden).

•      When under Russian rule, Finland was governed by an emperor. A governor general represented the emperor and acted as an officer in charge of military. Russia also had a senate.

Democracy

•      In 1906 Finland was part of Russia. Our parliament was founded that year.

•      With democracy, more people were involved in making decisions, when they got the right to vote.

•      Finland became a nation of multiple parties, which all promoted their own interests.

•      Finnish women were the first in the world allowed to run for parliament. They were the first in Europe to get the right to vote.

•      Finland has a common and equal right to vote, which means that every person has one vote.