Was being King of Finland easy?
Ferdinand could only say that compared to other Eastern European countries, it was somewhat easier!
Secluded in one corner and far from the threat of war—this was Finland's greatest advantage, and also its greatest disadvantage.
History had changed. The legendary Soviet Union invasion could no longer happen.
Its neighbor had become the Tsarist Government. Nicholas II was not Stalin; he would not be so stuffed with food that he went looking to invade Finland.
Boris had caught a good moment. Finland's Republicans had long since been nearly slaughtered by his excellent uncle. This issue could be traced back to the First World War, or even earlier.
Beginning in 1908, Finland had lost its autonomy, and the Finnish independence movement had begun to flourish.
Before the outbreak of the world war, the Finns had sought independence through every possible means, all ending in failure. By 1914, they had placed their hopes on Sweden, planning to obtain arms there and launch an armed uprising.
In the autumn of 1914, the Finns began lobbying Sweden. They hoped the Swedes would provide weapons, ammunition, and secret training grounds.
To persuade the Swedes, they even discussed the possibility of Finland merging with Sweden after gaining independence.
Without question, the Swedish Government rejected them. Though it sympathized with the Finnish revolution and hoped the two countries could merge, Sweden did not dare tug at the tiger's whiskers of the Russian bear. That would affect its neutral status.
After the world war broke out, most Finns began leaning toward Germany. Local public opinion also grew friendlier toward Germany, for one reason alone—Germany and Russia had gone to war.
The Finns saw hope for independence once more. They believed the Russians deserved what was coming to them and ought to be defeated.