Sweden – a nation of seafarers or peasants? Swedish naval officers and national identity as revealed in the magazine Vår Flotta, 1905–1939

Abstract

Swedish national identity reflects a tradition of independent freeholding peasants, even though the majority of the population lives along the coasts. The sea has often been neglected in studies analysing Swedish national identity. This article analyses one of many Swedish narratives of national identity – namely, that found in the monthly magazine Vår Flotta: Tidskrift för Sjövapnet (Our Fleet: Magazine for the Navy). The narrative of the magazine strongly emphasized the importance of the sea to Sweden. The sea, with its strong symbolism, was a vital part of the magazine's national narrative. According to Vår Flotta, the sea and its control would determine Sweden's fate as it had historically. The navy had saved Sweden from being dragged into a war or being invaded by foreign powers. A close connection to the sea, facing its dangers, would also allow the true Swedish national qualities to develop: bravery, calmness, confidence, cleanliness and a willingness to make sacrifices for the greater good. The national-identity narrative in the magazine remained fairly constant across the 35 years studied in this article.