American Reacts Why Sweden Is Immune To Wars

Original Video: • Why Sweden Is Immune T...
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[@karl-erikmumler9820]

The #1 reason Sweden didn't join NATO was because it would put Finland in a very precarious position. It's not too much to say that it was a choice by Hensinki more than Stockholm. After the Soviet Union fell both wanted to maintain the status quo so as not to provoke military buildup. The Baltics were obviously much more exposed and thus joined NATO as fast as they possibly could. The invasion of Ukraine has completely shattered the previous paradigm - it really changes everything. Joining NATO is less about the need for military allies (that's already there informally) but more about taking a side and standing up to be counted. There is no longer a middle ground that we can feel comfortable standing on. It is also probably the greatest sanction we could level against Moscow. It's not even a top-down thing. Look at how quickly the surveys on peoples attitude to joining NATO changed. It's a complete cultural shift in regards to security policy. We are now arming.

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

Immune is an odd term. It was a calculated policy of neutrality first formulated by Bernadotte when he was king. He knew well that Sweden was simply too small a nation, in terms of population, to play imperial games or get involved in wars on the continent. It had to focus on internal development. So, during the 1820s he declared permanent neutrality when Britain and Russia, his two major allies, were on the path of war. And he kept that neutrality for the rest of his reign. His son, Good King Oscar, considered involving himself in the first Danish-Prussian War, and the Crimean War, but he later affirmed neutrality. Second, the Swedes, for the most part, stayed well armed when the rest of Europe was unstable. As far back as Bernadotte, he actually did not demobilize the army after the end of the Napoleonic Wars and kept one of the largest standing armies and navies in Europe until his death (he had his reasons, in the immediate aftermath of 1815 the Austrians and Bourbons and France were pushing for the restoration of the Vasas because of Bernadotte's Revolutionary and Napoleonic antecedents, so he kept Sweden armed as a deterrent against attack). King Oscar did reduce military spending but later greatly increased in during the crises of 1848, 1852-1856. Sweden most notably was very well armed during the Cold War with a very large military. In the late Cold War the air force was the fourth largest in the world. Finally, defendable borders bounded by water and mountains and wilderness. But, they would have meant nothing but for a very carefully cultivated policy spanning 200 years.

[@falukropp2000]

Dear clown prince Sebastian Johan of Ponte Corvo. Your mom thought we were big enough. Greetings from GIIA.

[@staffan-]

This video gives more of a historical overview of Sweden's neutrality, rather than answering the titel why Sweden is "immune" to war. To put it shortly, it is all about geography. The Baltic Sea and the Scandinavian mountains give Sweden very natural borders. In addition, the vastness of the country infers that there needs to be a huge invasion force to keep it occupied, despite the rather small population size.

[@Lottaquizzes]

Great reaction as always. Stockholm is a beautiful city, and you are right, that building is the Vasa museum.

[@Revament]

Vasa* 😁

[@Lottaquizzes]

@@Revament Såklart!

[@sirjohnmara]

14:53 Yes that is "Wasa Museet" the ship that sank in 10th of August 1628, it's a beautiful museum. You are very welcome to come to Stockholm, Connor! During August it's very nice here, during July a lot of swedes have their summer vaccation so it's a bit "empty". But that's good if you like that better...

[@iKvetch558]

Excellent spotting, Connor...yes...that 14:55 is the Vasa Museum in Stockholm. 💯✌ And that word you were looking for 17:28 was "enraptured". 🖖😁

[@peringefilip]

You are one of a kind brother. 😊👍🇸🇪

[@anthonyholroyd5359]

This video does make me muse on how ironic it is that 3 of the 4 most famously neutral countries in Europe can actually field a very decent military for their size. Ireland is perhaps the exception (though it isn't exactly unarmed - it does has armed forces of its own). Sweden, Finland and Switzerland are all very militarily capable for their size.

[@p12anjacobmlgnoscoper86]

5:20 Russia can attack Gotland without attacking any NATO country. I think Gotland might be a important reason why Sweden joined NATO. Gotland is a very strategically important island in the baltic sea to any country in the Baltic. If Sweden were to lose Gotland it would be very hard for Sweden to take it back and its not sure that other countries would help Sweden. Take Crimea for example. Ukraine lost Crimea to Russia in 2014. The rest of the world diden't do much about except putting some sanctions on Russia.

[@squidcaps4308]

Gotland is also the reason NATO has wanted Sweden to join for decades. Same with the Åland. Both islands control the Baltic sea but have been demilitarized... so far. It will take a LOT to fully militarize them, Åland has autonomy and its status is protected not just by Finnish law but European treaties. Gotland also was demilitarized until 2015, it now has a garrison of 150 men, which does not really make strategically any real military presence, basically.. Russians can't just walk from the beaches and take over it, there is at least some contingency. Finnish coast line is a bit different, there are plenty of military presence between Kaliningrad, St Petersburg and Åland but Gotland is quite isolated in that sense. The Å is pronounced as O, just put the sound a bit further back in your mouth, tongue depressed more back than regular O.

[@Oldandcynical]

Correction Sweden has not joined yet and hopefully won't.

[@squidcaps4308]

@@Oldandcynical It will and that is the right decision. It would be completely wrong to expect Finland to stand in the way without a proper commitment from Sweden. We live or die together.

[@Oldandcynical]

@@squidcaps4308 I agree that sweden is likely to join eventually but hasn't yet which was what you originally implied. As for the whole living and dying together thing, that has always been a possibility without nato (much like trade and negotiations between nations were possible before the scam known as the eu). My opinion is that sweden, norway, denmark, finland, (maybe iceland) and possibly some other northern nations should have made our own alliances or expanded on the ones we already have rather than join a global one which will not only drain our money and resources more (aside from all the other commitments like the eu), but also come with various expectations, commitments and further foreign political pressures (not to mention the increased risk of having to take part in conflicts which we have no reason to).

[@squidcaps4308]

@@Oldandcynical No, it is the reality. If Russia attacks Finland it can not stop there. It has to take all three, including Norway.

[@tesko5228]

This will change, turkey alliance will soon happen as more of us come over 💪🏾

[@williambranch4283]

Ireland is in the EU, but not Nato. Irish served in the British Army in WWI, but some committed treason in 1916 (during war). Ireland has a mythology that all the early 20th century Irish were for independence, not Home Rule. Ireland was irrelevant to WWII and the Cold War, so they are neutral like Switzerland. Switzerland has less ability to defend itself, aside from mountains and not worth conquering. But back in the day (Swiss Guards) they were a fearsome military force, mostly for mercenaries. Switzerland has universal male draft, and their men keep their military guns at home, for periodic training and mobilization ... a national guard like envisioned in the US Constitution.

[@fromSweden4u]

This is scary times. We hope for the best.

[@roberttattorn9412]

6:10 That is a lie, Sweden has a lot more aircraft than that , around 2,000 and their air force is very formidable.

[@williambranch4283]

The US established many military alliances during the Cold War, and most were obsolete by the 1990s. SEATO is why we went to Vietnam (South East Asia Treaty Organization). The main Soviet military alliance was the Warsaw Pact, but neither Yugoslavia nor Albania were members. Unfortunately placating Soviet Union 2.0 won't work ;-( In fact, one of Putin's supporters wants all the land from Ireland to Vladivostok (Far East Russia on Pacific).

[@stiglarsson8405]

Well it was a nice presentation.. I think he is swedish? The title should be "Why Sweden was immune to wars"! Its a long story, and dont even think that sweden was the good guys befor 1809! However.. after losing Finland and all our posession around Baltic sea.. we become introvert! In WW1 we traded mostly with Germany, becuse they was close, in WW2 we traded mostly with Germany becuse Germany cut of our other trading routes! When Soviet attacked Finland, we did send a lot of our military equipment to Finland. When Germany ocupied Denmark and Norway.. shit now we are out of military gears.. so they (Germany) did get the ability to use swedish railroads and telephone lines! And we tapt those lines and bought some appreciation frome UK and US. There was some german leaning elite in sweden under the war, but it suddenly dissaper when Germany start losing! After the war, there was a lul and there was no new war in near time.. just keep neutral was a good idea! After Russias attack on Georgia and Ukraine.. hey they dont respect neutral countrys anymore, we have to skip our neutrality and prepare for a much bigger war, that probably coming sone.. if Ukraine cant beat Russia!

[@TK23592]

The video I belive was wrong about Sweden letting nazis into Finland, they let Nazis into Norway, because Finland fought the Russians and Norway got occupied! Regarding NATO however I don't think that we should join, but that is not for us citizens to vote on apparently!

[@MatzeMB85]

The impact of joining NATO can't be understated. It essentially puts an end to the most successful era in Swedish history in my opinion. That said I'm happy the politicians are backed by the people when taking this stand. Because this is a statement against wars of aggression in Europe as well as a sound strategic choice. When it comes down to the wire, neutrality or not the majority of the NATO countries are our friends, united states included, and the nordic nations are our brothers and they deserve our full commitment. Finlands decision to apply also played a major role as it's imperative to most common Swedes to support them in pretty much everything and has been that way for generations. Russia being the only possible enemy Sweden has in the world makes this even simpler.

[@iKvetch558]

I was going to correct you and say that ALL of NATO is Sweden's friend...but then I remembered...the French! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@williambranch4283]

@@iKvetch558 Marshal Bernadotte provided the new Swedish (and Norwegian for almost 100 years) royal family ... including the current Swedish king.

[@williambranch4283]

Peace is better than war. Civilian economic development is better than military. But in the long run, people don't really want peace, it is too boring?

[@iKvetch558]

@@williambranch4283 So glad you get the joke

[@williambranch4283]

@@iKvetch558 No, the joke is being disappointed thru the docu on King Christian, that Swedish meatballs are actually ... Turkish!

[@backl77]

The video guy has Fredrick the great of Prussia not a Russian. He needs to change that.

[@ssirfbrorsan]

I am Swede. Together with my Norwegian friends I hunt Polar Bears and Russian communists, Svalbard. You are all welcome! BUT! By Law you must have a gun to protect yourself! Normally we freeze the Russians in blocks of ice and let them sail with the Gulf Stream.

[@SteamboatW]

Not exactly. Sweden haven't always been neutral. In 1939 Sweden wasn't neutral in the Finnish-Soviet winter war. They are not neutral in the Ukraine-Sov... Russia war.

[@Jontor11]

Hmm...the video you reacted to has some political analysis that I disagree with. IMO. Putin's agenda is to recreate the Soviet Union. Which makes sense. All those former Soviet republics have a large Russian influence and culture. And the languages are related too. Ukraine is the heart of that mission. And Putin wants to be a chess piece in the global power game which the Soviet Union once was. To go from that and say that Putin is a threat to Sweden is very far fetched. Sweden/Russia have little in common culturally and linguistically. Sure, if not Putin, there might be some other crazy leader in Russia in the future that wants to invade all countries, these lunatics happen from time to time in history (hmmm...Hitler). But that is just the way it is and how humans work. From Sweden's perspective, that lunatic might as well come from the US or some other western country. So, Sweden doesn't need NATO. All in my opinion of course. Those stunning pictures you were admiring were mainly from Stockholm, the most beautiful city in the world imo.

[@user-gy2et4ji3g]

There is a typo in this video which is very annoying! It is said that Sweden is and has been neutral, which is totally wrong. Sweden has been non-aligned for over two hundred years, which is a completely different matter. Remember that it is always the Americans, Canadians, English and Australians who claim that we are and have been neutral. Sweden has not in any way been neutral in any conflict or war regardless of where on this planet the conflict or war took place and that is thanks to our freedom of alliance. Today it is completely different when a small political elite in Sweden has drawn Sweden into the war organization NATO without popular support. Everything has been topped off by the fact that Sweden's political elite has also signed a DCA agreement with the USA. The disaster is total!

[@melkor3496]

Very badly made video from him. He got so much wrong and forgot so many important things that makes this video look half finished at best.

[@Steffe]

We are joining NATO now so it will be different. I have a few thousand Stockholm photos over at flickr if you would like to see more views btw.

[@E-jit]

Do not tell a swede what to do and what not to do 🤣🇸🇪

[@skogstjuven]

Sweden never had the population to be Great Power for long. 17th century 2,500,000. that is too low to really be Great Power. A small population is bain of Sweden. then and still now.

[@larrywave]

I think this is the worst video that obf has made

[@melkor3496]

Agreed it’s full of screw ups and misses a ton of things. Either forgets to mention very very important things or gets things wrong. It would need another 20-30 minutes to actually be a good video that mentions what it needs to.

[@williambranch4283]

Nato isn't your daddy's Nato after 1991. It is very aggressive, even outside of Europe (see Afghanistan and Iraq). And this year is the first time since then that Russia has attacked European territory. Yes, pretty pictures, for the one day in Stockholm when it is Summer ;-)

[@noureddine3648]

Afghanistan : article 5 invoked after 9/11 , they should've left after dealing with those behind the attack Iraq : it was done by NATO members but not all of them ( france and germany and others didn't take part) and it wasn't done in the name of NATO but by the so-called "coalition of the willing" BOSNIA AND KOSOVO : stopping serbs from slaughering muslims is kinda based Libya : NATO had a mandate from the UN to protect civilians in benghazi from Ghaddafi forces , but NATO DID overreach and went for a full regime change ( most libyans did support the intervention btw)

[@williambranch4283]

@@noureddine3648 Yes, it wasn't necessary to stay that long in Afghanistan. but that 9/11 wasn't the reason, it was the excuse. The point was to get the opium crops restarted, and use export of opium to Russia to destroy Russia, just as fentanyl is exported by China via Mexico, to destroy the US. Think British/Chinese opium wars. The CIA has been big into drugs at least since the Gold Triangle days in SE Asia. The Great Game continues in Afghanistan, but today's Taliban aren't shutting down the opium, are they? Quid pro quo with CIA? The Black Ops world is incredibly dirty and immoral.

[@Jontor11]

But Putin doesn't see Ukraine as European territory. He sees it as a part of Russia, and it once was before the Soviet Union fell apart.

[@williambranch4283]

@@Jontor11 If Europe = EU, then neither Britain nor Russia are European, which throws light on their behavior.

[@williambranch4283]

Since the Great Northern War ... Sweden wasn't relevant, Russia was. Denmark was relevant in the 19th century, was beaten to a pulp by Bismarck in 1864, his first military win ... which may be why my Danish ancestors immigrated to the US at that time (and bringing Norwegian and Swedish ancestry with them. Switzerland and Sweden were not neutral in WWII. Switzerland gave financial services to Hitler and Switzerland provided steel to make U-boats and tanks! Earlier in my work life, I knew a WWII Navy veteran ... they were minutes from using a US aircraft carrier to attack Stockholm late in the war, but fortunately it was called off. But now Sweden is losing its neutrality, since Putin might want to occupy them. Sweden did maintain a very capable but small conventional armed forces and made their own stuff, after WWII.

[@SteamboatW]

No, that's not true. Both Sweden and Switzerland were neutral in WWII. Trading is not a violation of neutrality. Sweden for example had a Swedish-British-German war trade agreement in force through the war until the end.

[@SteamboatW]

And for the record, Sweden isn't neutral in the Ukraina-Russian war. The term is "non belligerent". "Neutral" have a certain definition in several conventions like the Hague convention, and Sweden is not in this war.

[@crownprincesebastianjohano7069]

Sweden maintained a very large military after WWII by any standard. The air force was the 4th largest in the world and they could mobilize 800,000 to the Army. That would have put them in second place in NATO by air force, and only behind the US, France and the UK by army size. And their military was superbly equipped. Their only misstep, in my opinion, was the Riksdag dismantling most of the cruiser and destroyer fleet in the late 1970s that they never replaced. But, the thinking the Swedish Air Force, and sub fleet, which were state of the art at the time with completely networked planes, would be deterrent enough against a Soviet naval attack.

[@williambranch4283]

@@SteamboatW Choose to disagree. There is no such thing as neutrality in life. Germany certainly considered US trade with Britain in WWI and WWII (before war declaration) as warfare.

[@SteamboatW]

@@williambranch4283 "Neutrality" have a special definition in the Hague conventions and other articles of war. Sweden, Switzerland and the US was Neutral until 1941. What you or Adolf thinks or thought doesn't come in to it. What Germany didn't like was that US warships fired upon German naval vessels in international waters even before December 1941. Adolf even says so in his declaration of war upon the US.