Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Sweden during World War

Sweden remained officially neutral during World War I and World War II, although its neutrality during World War II has been debated.[34][35] Sweden was under German influence for much of the war, as ties to the rest of the world were cut off through blockades.[34] The Swedish government felt that it was in no position to openly contest Germany,[36] and therefore made some concessions.[37] Sweden also supplied steel and machined parts to Germany throughout the war. However, Sweden supported Norwegian resistance, and in 1943 helped rescue Danish Jews from deportation to concentration camps. Toward the end of the war, Sweden began to play a role in humanitarian efforts and many refugees, among them many Jews from Nazi-occupied Europe, were saved partly because of the Swedish involvement in rescue missions at the internment camps and partly because Sweden served as a haven for refugees, primarily from the Nordic countries and the Baltic states.[36] Nevertheless, internal and external critics have argued that Sweden could have done more to resist the Nazi war effort, even if risking occupation.[36]

J...i...M

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