Neutrality of Sweden and the Experiences of WWII

Abstract

With the possibility and threat of war, the chances of maintaining neutrality were assessed relatively favorably in Stockholm. Internally, there was a widespread consensus regarding the policy of neutrality, current situation and the position of Sweden in Northern Europe. The as regards security policy of 1936, 1938 and 1939 led to significant strengthening of the defense capabilities although following the reductions in military service of 1925, nearly half of able-bodied men of military age had received no military training at all (the so-called combat-readiness kategoriklyvningen), and the rest had not gone through winter exercise training. The most important challenge was to regulate trade relations between Sweden and the both warring sides. Due consideration had to be given to blockades or other logistic challenges in shipping in the North Sea and the Atlantic. In those circumstances, the Swedish government initiated efforts to reach agreements with both the Allies and with Germany. The concluded trade agreement with the United Kingdom (signed on December 7, 1939) stipulated that trade between the two countries would remain at the same level, provided that Sweden would cease re-exporting to Germany goods imported from Great Britain. Trade with Germany was expected to remain at the same level as in 1938. The Third Reich, having a vital interest in the supply of Swedish iron ore, accepted the conditions and on December 22, 1939 the Swedish-German trade agreement was signed.