Compliance with the Russian Empire has long shaped Finland's national narrative. Today, relations between small European border states and Russia have materialised in a manner not seen in decades after Russia's attack on Ukraine. CoPe explores contested compliance in Finnish–Russian political relations in their formative phase during the nineteenth century through the history of experience. CoPe adopts a novel approach to political history by focusing on the personal motivations and social relations – importantly of both women and men. Through six key events, CoPe studies group formation around Finnish–Russian politics, the effect of personal experiences and social relationships on the spectrum of compliance and resistance, and the role of gender and women. The sources include correspondence, documents of civic organisations and political bodies, and newspapers. CoPe applies group biographical research setting, the concept of ‘personal nationalism' and narrative approaches.

2026

2030