Sweden and the Great War

[Neil]

While Essen might possibly (although not very possibly) have attacked the Swedish fleet without provocation, I would be surprised if Sweden would go to war over it.

[jimmy olsen]

While Essen might possibly (although not very possibly) have attacked the Swedish fleet without provocation, I would be surprised if Sweden would go to war over it.

Wouldn't it depend on how much damage is done? Surely if hundreds of men or more were killed than even Sweden would have had to respond.

[Neil]

While Essen might possibly (although not very possibly) have attacked the Swedish fleet without provocation, I would be surprised if Sweden would go to war over it.

Wouldn't it depend on how much damage is done? Surely if hundreds of men or more were killed than even Sweden would have had to respond.

Wrong.

[jimmy olsen]

While Essen might possibly (although not very possibly) have attacked the Swedish fleet without provocation, I would be surprised if Sweden would go to war over it.

Wouldn't it depend on how much damage is done? Surely if hundreds of men or more were killed than even Sweden would have had to respond.

Wrong.

The Swedes had contingency plans to respond to Soviet air attack in the case of an attack in conjunction with a Warsaw Pact offensive against NATO, why would they not respond to an earlier Russian attack. Surely the masses were less wedded to pacifism at that point than they would be after witnessing the devastation of two world wars.

[Pat]

Militarist sentiment was rife in Sweden at this time, centered around the symbol of the King: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtyard_Crisis

In 1912, when Staaffs liberal governmet didn't pledge enough money in defense spending, a collection among the people was organized to fund the construction of an armoured ship: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Sverige

The right made a lot of noise in favour of entering the war, as it was already. Sven Hedin wrote an anti-Russian book that sold a million copies (in a country of five million). I find it very unlikely that a Russian attack would not have made Sweden enter the war.

[The Brain]

Sven Hedin wrote an anti-Russian book that sold a million copies

I have one. It's awesome.

[Pat]

Damn, I need to get one too. 24 SEK on Bokbörsen *buys one*.

[Razgovory]

Militarist sentiment was rife in Sweden at this time, centered around the symbol of the King: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtyard_Crisis

In 1912, when Staaffs liberal governmet didn't pledge enough money in defense spending, a collection among the people was organized to fund the construction of an armoured ship: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Sverige

The right made a lot of noise in favour of entering the war, as it was already. Sven Hedin wrote an anti-Russian book that sold a million copies (in a country of five million). I find it very unlikely that a Russian attack would not have made Sweden enter the war.

Well there was a the lack of weapons thing.  Also the whole cowardice thingy.

[The Brain]

Damn, I need to get one too. 24 SEK on Bokbörsen *buys one*.

His description of the horrors of foreign occupation are great. So very tame compared to the real horrors of 20th century occupation that were to come.

[Neil]

Sweden didn't go to war over Norway.  Cowardice was the Swedish national religion.

[jimmy olsen]

Sweden didn't go to war over Norway.  Cowardice was the Swedish national religion.

That can't be compared with an unprovoked attack by a foreign power.

[Zanza]

Too bad Hortlund isn't here.

[The Brain]

Sweden didn't go to war over Norway. 

Would you?

[jimmy olsen]

Sweden didn't go to war over Norway. 

Would you?

And what about the Russians?

As a noted Swede, we desire your expert opinion.

[The Brain]

Sweden didn't go to war over Norway. 

Would you?

And what about the Russians?

As a noted Swede, we desire your expert opinion.

Ah, flattery. You will go far young man.

I have never read in depth about Sweden in WW1. FWIW my impression is that a single major attack would be enough to make Sweden enter the war. If it could be described as only an "incident" though I don't think so.