Was Sweden sympathetic to the Nazi cause during WWII?

Answer 1

Like several other European countries, such as Switzerland and Ireland, Sweden declared itself officially neutral early in WW2.

This meant that neither side's military could cross its borders or use it as a base, without it being seen as an act of open aggression. This actually suited the Germans tactically, who after their invasion of Norway, Finland and Denmark found that Sweden's neutrality also acted as a protective buffer zone to their control of Scandanavia.

Answer 2

If you're going to talk about Sweden and the Nazis in the Second World War, there's another couple countries you have to talk about first, namely Poland and Czechoslovakia. Now of course popular history tells us over and over again about how the western powers sold Czechoslovakia "down the river" for the sake of "peace", but really, did the west do any better by Poland? There was all sort of guarantees from Britain and France that Poland's integrity would be protected. Agression would not be tolerated. Still Hitler and Stalin both rolled in and took what they wanted and all the west did in response in heighten their troop deployments in the west and fight the "phoney war". Move your lens a little farther north of Poland and who do you get? Why Sweden of course. Yet another smaller European nation pinched between the Nazis and the Soviets and totally removed from western influence. In most respects, neutrality was the only choice that Sweden really had in the matter. They were industrialized and possessed of several valuable resources, but small enough not to pose much of a military threat. If they didn't supply Hitler with the metals and lumber he wanted, he'd take them over. If they sided with him fully the Soviets would be coming and given the northern clime and there was a contiguous land route, that would have been a battle Stalin was guaranteed to win. In the meantime Hitler had sown up any real access Sweden had to the outside world when he took control of Denmark and Norway and tried to turn the Baltic into a "Nazi Lake" so the west had nothing to offer.

In short, had Sweden fought on either side, they would have lost., They had no help from the west. Neutrality, even if it made you look like a collaborator was the only option they had to keep their country together.

Answer 3

Well erm... they were benevolently neutral towards the Axis, really, weren't they? They did supply them with iron ore through Norway, we had quite a few Swedish volunteers in the Waffen SS (this was of course not government policy :)) and they did provide a few useful diplomatic channels as well. Of course, the Swedes didn't have much of a choice as they were pretty much surrounded by tAxis territory (Norway, Finland, the Baltic). On the other hand, they did provide shelter for downed allied aircrews and they even trained the Norse police which was to come into function as soon as the Germans left. And finally, they did take in a lot ofJews during their legendary mass-escape from Denmark. So I feel Sweden was stuck in the middle, they tried to make the best of it and they came out of the conflict unscatched.

Answer 4

The notion of Sweden's WW2 neutrality is somewhat checkered. Sweden shared many of the race research programs, alarmingly similar to those of Nazi Germany. Cultural minorities, gypsies, Romanies etc sterilization of so-called mentally handicapped. Scary. Much of what happend is still dribbling into public scrutiny. When Russia invaded Finland many flocked to Germany to fight the Russians, who for them were the greater evil. An SS regiment of Swedish volunteers was formed. Swedish iron-ore was shipped to Germany throughout. German troops travelled to various destinations in occupied Norway. There are many things to remember however, before settling an opinion, Sweden never turned it's back on it's Nordic neighbors, solace was provided to members of the Norwegian resistens, the Swedish SS regiment was formed to defend Finland, not fight the allies. Also, the final solution was not known by all. Post WW2 Sweden was the only one to have an intact industry. Alot of money was made, financed the Swedish welfare system as is known today. Scary. Hope this helps you.

Answer 5

Swedish steel was very important to Germany, but as a practical matter I can't see how Sweden could have opposed the Germans under the circumstances, and they certainly might have formed an alliance, say, in 1940, when it looked like Germany was going to win it all, had they had pro-German sentiments.

Answer 6

Sweden did not real care who you were they cared about how much money you could bring to them any country could deal with them at the time if they had the money to spend.

Answer 7

On the contrary they looked after British escapees very well.