A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Finns in the Colonial World (2021)


Merivirta, R., Koivunen, L., & Särkkä, T. (2021). Finns in the Colonial World. In R. Merivirta, L. Koivunen, & T. Särkkä (Eds.), Finnish Colonial Encounters : From Anti-Imperialism to Cultural Colonialism and Complicity (pp. 1-38). Palgrave Macmillan. Cambridge Imperial and Post-Colonial Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80610-1_1


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Merivirta, Raita; Koivunen, Leila; Särkkä, Timo

Parent publication: Finnish Colonial Encounters : From Anti-Imperialism to Cultural Colonialism and Complicity

Parent publication editors: Merivirta, Raita; Koivunen, Leila; Särkkä, Timo

ISBN: 978-3-030-80609-5

eISBN: 978-3-030-80610-1

Journal or series: Cambridge Imperial and Post-Colonial Studies

ISSN: 2635-1633

eISSN: 2635-1641

Publication year: 2021

Pages range: 1-38

Number of pages in the book: 336

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Place of Publication: Cham

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80610-1_1

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/83182


Abstract

Utilizing such concepts as “colonial complicity” and “colonialism without colonies”, this chapter examines the case of Finns and Finland as a nation that was once oppressed but also itself complicit in colonialism. It argues that although the Finnish nation has historically been positioned in Europe between western and eastern empires, Finns were not only passive victims of (Russian) imperial rule but also active participants in the creation of imperial vocabulary in various colonial contexts, including Sápmi in the North.

This chapter argues that although Finns never had overseas colonies, they were involved in the colonial world, sending out colonizers and producing images of colonial “others”, when they, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, felt the need to project themselves as white and European (not Russian or non-white, such as Mongols). Finns adopted, adapted, and created common European knowledge about colonized areas, cultures, and people and participated in constructing racial hierarchies. These racialized notions were also applied to the Sámi. Furthermore, Finns benefitted economically from colonialism, sent out missionaries to Owambo in present-day Namibia to spread the ideas of Western/White/Christian superiority and instruct the Owambo in European ways. Finns were also involved in several colonial enterprises of other European colonizing powers, such as in the Belgian Congo or aboard Captain Cook’s vessel on his journey to the Antipodes.


Keywords: history; colonies (states); colonialism; imperialism; indigenous peoples; Samis; Finno-Ugric peoples; Fennoman movement; Russification policy

Free keywords: colonial complicity; colonialism; cultural colonialism; colonialism without colonies; fennomans; Finland; Finno-Ugric; Finns; imperialism; Russian Empire; russification; Sámi; Sápmi; Lapland; Sweden


Contributing organizations


Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 3


Last updated on 2024-22-04 at 21:03