Sweden's choice to stay neutral has changed a lot since the Napoleonic Wars, which took place from 1803 to 1815. Here are the main parts of this history:
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Early Neutrality (1815-1900):
- After the Napoleonic Wars, Sweden decided to be neutral. This was made official with the Treaty of Paris in 1815.
- During these years, Sweden didn’t join any wars and enjoyed a long time of peace.
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World Wars:
- In World War I, from 1914 to 1918, Sweden stayed neutral but needed to trade with both the Allies and Central Powers for its economy.
- In World War II, from 1939 to 1945, Sweden had a more complicated neutral role. It allowed Nazi Germany to move troops through its country but helped the Allies by offering kindness to those in need. About 80,000 Jewish refugees found safety in Sweden during this time.
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Post-War Era:
- During the Cold War, from 1947 to 1991, Sweden’s neutral policy became stronger. In 1955, Sweden joined the Non-Aligned Movement.
- Since then, Sweden has taken part in over 30 peacekeeping missions around the world. This shows how much the country cares about helping keep peace.
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Current Stance:
- Today, Sweden still stays non-aligned but works closely with NATO and the European Union on security matters. This shows how Sweden’s idea of neutrality is changing in a world that's always shifting.