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Åland Islands 1920-21

History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 2.2.4

The Åland Islands Dispute 1920-21

The League of Nations resolved the Åland Islands dispute in 1920-21.

Background

Background

  • The Åland Islands lie between Sweden and Finland in the Baltic Sea.
  • The Åland population spoke Swedish and wished to join Sweden.
  • Finland controlled the islands after independence in 1917.
  • Finland wanted to keep them because they were new and didn’t want to lose territory.
  • The Åland Islands location would help Finland move their navy around and protect their trade routes.
  • Sweden supported the islanders' demand to unite with Sweden.
The Åland crisis

The Åland crisis

  • Sweden and Finland argued over Åland's sovereignty in 1919.
  • The islanders appealed for help from the League of Nations in 1920.
  • The League saw the dispute as a test for its role in peacekeeping.
  • The League hoped to avoid war between Sweden and Finland.
League of Nations' role

League of Nations' role

  • The League created a commission to investigate the Åland dispute.
  • The commission visited the islands and consulted both countries.
  • The League recommended that Finland keep sovereignty over Åland.
  • The League demanded Finland guarantee the islands' autonomy and demilitarisation.
Outcome of the Åland decision

Outcome of the Åland decision

  • The League announced its decision in June 1921.
  • Finland accepted League control of Åland's autonomy conditions.
  • Sweden accepted the League's decision but expressed disappointment.
  • The islanders remained Swedish-speaking but under Finnish rule.
Failures of the League

Failures of the League

  • The League's decision did not satisfy all parties involved.
  • The League failed to prevent tensions between Finland and Sweden.
  • The Åland dispute exposed the League's limited influence in peacekeeping.
Significance

Significance

  • The Åland case showed the League could mediate peacefully.
  • The League's ruling preserved regional peace for many years.
  • The Åland experience shaped future peacekeeping efforts by the League.

Test yourself on Åland Islands 1920-21

  • What was the main reason Finland wanted to keep the Åland Islands?

  • What was one major weakness shown by the League’s handling of Åland?

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