History Of The Swedes

“For those interested in the fighting on the Eastern Front in general . . . give[s] us some of the vast scale of the SS by the end of the war.” —HistoryOfWar.org Though Sweden was neutral during the Second World War, Swedish SS volunteers saw action on both the eastern front and NW Europe, and participated in some of the bloodiest clashes: the initial stages of Operation Barbarossa, the winter of 1941–42, the battles of Kursk, Arnhem, Normandy, Narva, the Warsaw uprising, the Cherkassy and Kurland pockets and, finally, the end in Berlin. There was never an official recruitment drive in Sweden, which is why only some 180–200 men enlisted. Those who wanted to recruit themselves often had to make their way to the occupied countries—a fact that makes those Swedes who joined the SS volunteers in the truest sense. This book lets us follow individuals such as Hans Lindén, who was the first named Swedish volunteer to fall in action aged barely nineteen years old; the unpopular Swedish SS officer Gunnar Eklöf; Elis Höglund, who after several years on the Eastern Front deserted and returned to Sweden; Gösta Borg, who volunteered for the SS a second time as he was denied the chance of becoming an officer in Sweden; and Karl-Axel Bodin, the only Swede to be included in the list of suspected criminals at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, who joined the SD in March, 1945. The book includes over 150 photos and is thoroughly researched from primary sources, making it a valuable addition to the history of the SS, and the men who volunteered to serve in it.

Translated by the American teacher C.W. Foss

A concise history of Swedes in Minnesota and the enormous influence that they have had on our state's politics, history, and culture.

The history of Sweden in the seventeenth century is perhaps one of the most remarkable political success stories of early modern Europe. Little more than a century after achieving independence from Denmark, Sweden - an impoverished and sparsely-populated state - had defeated all of its most fearsome enemies and was ranked amongst the great powers of Europe. In this book, which incorporates the latest research on the subject, Paul Douglas Lockhart: - Surveys the political, diplomatic, economic, social and cultural history of the country, from the beginnings of its career as an empire to its decline at the end of the seventeenth century - Examines the mechanisms that helped Sweden to achieve the status of a great power, and the reasons for its eventual downfall - Emphasises the interplay between social structure, constitutional development, and military necessity Clear and well-written, Lockhart's text is essential reading for all those with an interest in the fascinating history of early modern Sweden.

From Stone Age settlements to the middle of the 20th century shows the formative contribution of political and social conflict, economic development and popular pressure, and the arts. A well-sifted, synoptic account of Sweden's history.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, large numbers of Swedish immigrants came to Michigan seeking new opportunities in the United States and relief from economic, religious, or political problems at home. In addition to establishing early farming communities, Swedish immigrants worked on railroad construction, mining, fishing, logging, and urban manufacturing. As a result, Swedish Americans made significant contributions to the economic and cultural landscape of Michigan, a history this book explores in engaging and illustrative depth. Swedes in Michigan traces the evolution of hard-working people who valued education and assimilated actively while simultaneously maintaining their cultural ties and institutions. Moving from past to present, the book examines community patterns, family connections, social organizations, exchange programs, ethnic celebrations, and business and technical achievements that have helped Swedes in Michigan maintain a sense of their heritage even as they have adapted to American life.

Originally published in 1934. PREFACE: AT the conclusion of the World War, when there were so many readjustments to be made and when the need for strengthening Swedens connexions with the West in vari ous ways was urgently felt, an investigation was set on foot in London with a view to ascertaining how in the sphere of culture this end could best be attained, and a compre hensive plan of work was drawn up covering several years. This investigation also involved an inquiry into what instruction about Sweden was available for the rising generation in British schools and universities. The results were as surprising as they were disappointing. The in formation obtained indicated that there was very little being done in this field and that what was written on the subject was often misleading or uninformative, although in general the feeling with regard to Sweden appeared to be friendly. No one will deny that for the proper understanding of the cultural life of a people it is essential to have some knowledge of its historical development, of its particular problems at the present day, and of the main outlines of its literature. There appeared to exist, however, no work to which the youth of England could turn for information of this kind regarding Sweden and accordingly the Anglo-Swedish Literary Foundation made it one of its first tasks to fill the gap that had thus been made manifest. As originally drawn up, the scheme included works on Swedish literature and art as well as on Swedish history. The late Professor J. G. Robertson, of London University, undertook to prepare an Outline of the History of Swedish Literature, but at his much regretted death he had only been able to write part of this history. Arrangements have, however, been made for its completion, and it is hoped that it will be ready for publication in the near future. An account of the History of Swedish Art was further contemplated, and negotiations were entered into for its preparation, but have had to be deferred for the present owing to lack of funds. The third part of the scheme was a volume on Swedish History, and arrangements for this had already been com pleted before it was known that other books in English on the same subject were about to appear. The present work, however, is on a different plan from these, and should serve a different purpose. It gives a proportionally larger space to modern history and modern Sweden than is usual in ordinary historical summaries. It is also intended not so much for the professional historian as for the general pub lic, and more especially for younger readers hence, the Foundation is particularly desirous that the book should find a place in the public libraries of Great Britain and the Empire. The Board of Education, which was at the outset in formed of our plan, has given its encouragement to the present undertaking. The invitation to prepare this historical outline was originally extended Lo Professor Nils Ahnlund, of Stock holm University. When he, however, found himself unable to undertake the work owing to lack of time, he recom mended in his stead Mr. Ragnar Svanstrom, Licentiate of Philosophy, and Baron C. F. Palmstierna, Doctor of Philosophy, both of the University of Stockholm. Professor Ahnlund lias, however, been kind enough to make some valuable suggestions for the treatment of the period covered by Mr. Svanstroms manuscript, which here appears in a somewhat abridged version pp. 1-188. The later sections pp. 189-431 have been written by Dr. Palm stierna, who has also contributed parts of the chapter on Gustav II Adolf. The drafts for the maps in this volume have been sup plied by Gcncralstabens Litografiska Anstalt

Traces the development of Sweden from a poor, backward, warrior nation to a prosperous modern one.