How Sweden Managed to Remain War Proof Until Now

Sweden is one of the only countries in the world that has managed to remain war-proof until now. For over 200 years, Sweden has been neutral in all conflicts. This included both world wars and during the Cold War. But how did Sweden manage to stay neutral for so long? And what caused it to give up its neutrality and join the one organization that could bring war to its doorstep?

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[lukaswingr]

My great grandfather was a fisherman in the Skåne region of southern Sweden. When WWII broke out, he used his fishing boat to harbor Danish jews across the channel into Sweden, one of those families built a farm next to my great grandfathers property, and this family's great grandson is my best friend today, all due to my great grandfather

[thomaslyberg]

Sweden has always produced and stockpiled it's own weapons. Including submarines and fighter jets. Being self sufficient in all aspects is necessary to be able to uphold a neutral position.

[da_riceboy]

Imagine angering the world so much that Sweden starts hopping out of its neutrality.

[celticviking]

As an American with Swedish roots, family in Sweden and am able to Speak Swedish, if Russia fires one shot at Sweden, it would take a lot to hold me back from traveling to Sweden to defend her, and my family there.

[Chuck_Hooks]

Sweden, Finland and America can enter into an AUKUS-style agreement regardless of what Turkey does.

[xxmuffinsmannenxx]

Sweden does not import most of its weapons from the US. Many of its weapons are produced in Sweden by companies such as SAAB and BoFors, which manufacture some of the world's most advanced and cost-efficient airplanes and artillery systems.

[ossi]

I love Sweden thats my brother country. Much love from Norway

[marcussykes]

I think Finland is in more trouble then Sweden. Russia has tried to invade us before and we are right next to them, if Russia tried to invade Sweden, they would go through us which would be catastrophic.

[nnamesowhatblerp]

I as a swede with finnish ancestry from ww2, have always been told that the question of our neutrality in the future will lie with weather or not finland joins nato. If they join, so will we. And thats exactly whats happening.Menawehile sweden has helped germany sustain the electricty this past year, at the cost of swedish people since sweden never got any gas from russia. We have too much negative history with them. Im so proud we never trusted them.

[fetlix]

Both sweden and finland are more viable as partners than either Turkey or Hungary has ever been, especially right now in history. if they were to re-enroll to get accepted into Nato, i'd have a harder time seeing any of them being accepted

[hej]

A few things were missed, Sweden favoured Germany at the start of ww2, Sweden also picked the finish side in the winter war, but declerad themself as a non combatant.
Sweden also sold iron ore to Germany, has they invaded the allies would have bombed these mines and the germans knew that too.
Ontop of that, the sinking of the Bismark was possible due to Sweden "leaking" the intel of it sailing through the Danish straits and heading for open water to the allies, Sweden played every side.
Sweden also didn't just buy loads of us weapons, we made our own, Volvo, Saab, bofors etc were the backbone of the Swedish economy due to their military equipment production.

Edit: spelling

[petergerdes]

The idea that Russia might declare war on Sweden isn't very convincing. Sweden is a full member of the EU and (while this shouldn't matter) it's regarded as a full western democratic state in a way that Ukraine wasnt (having been part of the USSR). Regardless of what it says in the treaties attacking Sweden would cross a red line and Russia knows it.

[FalconAnno]

Fun fact. Sweden had the 4th largest air force in the world in the 50s. The plan was “always” to sink as much as possible of a Soviet invasion fleet at sea. The overall strategy was to make it so painful to attack Sweden the Soviets would decide against it.

[manganvbg]

Swedish vikings laid the foundation of modern ukraine and later on Russia….

[Sincerelyhoneyxo]

Shout out to all my Nordic brothers and sisters out there. Love from Iceland. 🌹🇮🇸🌹

[TheFish]

Old Finnish saying: Sweden will fight to the last Finnish man if Russia tries to attack Sweden

[astrid]

As a Swede I trust Finns with my ♥️ & I'd risk EVERYTHING for Finland's and Sweden's freedom. We've always helped each other through uncertain times & will always do.
Don't underestimate the Viking Spirit.
🇫🇮🇸🇪🇫🇮🇸🇪🇫🇮🇸🇪🇫🇮🇸🇪🇫🇮🇸🇪🇫🇮🇸🇪

[Virus-TV-]

Noteable military statistics of Finland and Sweden

Finland:
23 800 active personnel
More battle tanks than germany. (200 Leopard 2's + 39 other)
More reserves than UK, France, Germany and Italy combined. (280 000 Wartime strength, 900 000 total reserves)
More artillery pieces than UK, Sweden and Poland combined. (1500 = 700 howizers + 700 heavy mortars + 100 muliple rocket launchers)
64 F-18 (64 new F-35's have been ordered.)

Sweden:
23 600 active personnel
207 4th gen fighters

Love from finland, to my neighbours
🇫🇮🤝🇸🇪
And also greetings to all NATO members!

[patrickg]

I would love a video on how the sanctions are Russia are effecting citizens in Russia.

[defbybass]

Herman Görings wife was from Sweden. And some say thats the reason why Germany spared Sweden from invasion. Probably a bit far fetched, but who knows?