4 ms·

Considering Sweden being completely surrounded by Nazi-held territory and that of a potentially hostile Nazi ally (Finland), what was it supposed to do exactly?

• yakshaving_jgt 5y ago
  Arguably, Sweden's bravery could have only extended as far as banning the sale of iron ore which would have halted the Nazi war machine and brought the war to a close in a matter of months, saving tens of millions of lives. It's wild to me that any Swede could be proud of this part of their history.
  • helloworld11 5y ago
    Had Sweden banned the sale of vital iron ore to the Reich, Hitler would have had it invaded in weeks, full stop, and his occupation would have been vengeful in typical Nazi style. The country was able to stay neutral largely by luck, unlike Switzerland, which the Nazis knew to be a very difficult and painful invasion target (aside from it being convenient as a money haven for stolen wealth). The Swedish government was pragmatic without a doubt, but given their geographical circumstances, I hardly see how they had much choice. Since banning or not banning sales of ore would have in either case not stopped rapid and raveneous Nazi acquisition of said ore, allowing it, staying neutral and uninvaded and thus harbouring thousands of refugees was the better outcome in a sea of moral greyness. One wonderful example, the smuggling of Denmark's entire Jewish population to Sweden during the early days of the war.