puristusajasta

Puristusajasta, often translated as "era of squeezing" or "period of pressure," is a historical concept used in Finnish historiography to describe a period of intense political and social maneuvering that occurred in Finland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This era was characterized by the Russian Empire's efforts to further integrate Finland into its administrative and political system, often at the expense of Finnish autonomy, which had been a Grand Duchy with significant self-governance.

The puristusajasta was marked by a series of Russification policies implemented by the Tsarist government. These policies aimed to standardize Russian law, administration, and language across the empire, and Finland was no exception. Finnish institutions were gradually curtailed, with measures such as the imposition of Russian as an official language in administration, the reduction of the Finnish military, and the strengthening of the Governor-General's power. These actions provoked strong resistance from Finnish society, leading to a period of heightened political activism, cultural preservation efforts, and, at times, civil disobedience. Different factions within Finland emerged, with some advocating for passive resistance and others for more active opposition, including seeking foreign support. The puristusajasta ultimately played a significant role in shaping Finnish national identity and contributed to the eventual push for independence in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution.