Historical records for Finland didn’t actually begin until the 11th century with early notations reporting the country’s defeat at the hands of its aggressive Swedish neighbours; an event that led to the establishment of Christianity as the main religion and the subsequent submission to Swedish rule for a period of over 600 years. Integration of Swedish-controlled Denmark into Europe from political, economic and cultural standpoints rapidly ensued. Such a long period of Swedish dominance left Finland somewhat struggling for its own identity in the face of greater autonomy and it wasn’t until the country actually sought and established its independence, that it was able to examine its own cultural uniqueness and the characteristics that set its people apart from the Swedish. The country’s independence was faced with its greatest threat in 1918 when a civil war involving left and right factions broke out. The status quo was not shaken permanently however and relative stability was re-established and remained until the arrival of WWII when Russian forces twice launched offensives against the country, taking control on both occasions but eventually securing freedom for itself. | 
