Summary:

Samu Sarviaho, Constructing Finnish Self-Esteem and a Tribal Ideology – Formation of the Image of Early and Mediaeval Karelian History in 19th Century Finnish Historiography

Karelia has traditionally been a disputed area in political and academic discourse. This article analyses the formation of the image of early and mediaeval Karelian history in 19th century Finnish historiography, using Anthony D. Smith’s ethnosymbolist theory of nationalism as a theoretical basis. According to Smith, myths and memories of an original “ethnic” past, such as myths of “Golden Ages” and eras of decline, are used by nationalist intelligentsias to inspire collective action in forming a nation. In the Finnish context, however, these myths seem to have been mostly constructed by historians.

Myths of Karelian temporal origins as well as myths of location, migration and ancestry were present in the conceptions of the late 18th century “father” of Finnish historiography, Henrik Gabriel Porthan (1739–1804). He also emphasised the independent status of Karelia before the Swedish conquest. This was further elaborated into a “Golden Age” myth by Romanticist historians – especially Adolf Ivar Arwidsson (1791–1858) – looking to bolster Finnish self-esteem in the early 19th century. However, a specific myth of decline was not yet conclusively formed, mostly due to local traditions of the philosophy of history, which emphasised progress. In this regard, the Swedish conquest, during which the Karelians and other Finns had lost their early independence, could be seen in a mostly positive light due to its supposedly civilising effect on Finns.

The myth of Karelian decline was created by historian Zacharias Topelius (1818–1898). According to him, after an independent “Golden Age” in Karelian history, an era of decline had started as a result of the Treaty of Nöteborg (Pähkinäsaari) in 1323. The reason for the introduction of a Karelian myth of decline was the early notion of a greater Finland, spanning Eastern Karelia, which belonged to Russia. Topelius was hoping to inspire a unification of the Karelian tribe as part of a larger Finnish nation. This image of history was partly based on “Hegelian” notions of the philosophy of history. It was adopted and transmitted by irredentist nationalists hoping to inspire a unification of the Karelian tribe, both within and outside the boundaries of the Grand Duchy of Finland, highlighting a process in which “ethnic” myths concerning Karelia were constructed and used in the formation of a larger Finnish nation.