Why They Left: The Finnish Emigration
Although the people of Finland loved their own country some found they could not remain there due to political troubles with Russia and a famine that overtook their small country before the turn of the century. The complicated political situation with Russia, known as Russification, is quite extensive. Famine was something they could not easily overcome. America offered them a new life. These mostly fair haired peaceful people of Finnish descent were identified mainly as Russians because they were citizens under official Russian control during the approximate time period of 1860-1917.
There was a threat to their very identity from as early as the 17th century. Sweden was a great power. Even their language was officially used in Finland during this time and remains prominent today. Religion too was of the Swedish influence. Finland was situated in the middle of Sweden and Russia, two factors fighting for control.
Finland was ceded to Russia in the early days of the 19th century. Great efforts were made over time by the Finnish people to exert their own influence and identity towards their own people. But Russia did not want to loose control. This led to a restructuring of government. Russia forced many Finnish men into their army. Finland gained independence in 1917 leading two years later to becoming a republic. But by then many citizens had left to form new lives elsewhere, particularly in America.
Left behind were their family and friends, homes, churches, and places and activities that formed who they were. All these things had to be rebuilt in America. Their history and culture came with them. It did not matter how they were identified by the rest of the world. They were Finns and proud of it.
Because of a requirement in the Lutheran faith, Finland had an extremely high literacy rate. That was carried over to this country. Finland today has a 100% literacy rate, the highest in the world. These people have very good reason for pride and should be recognized for it.