The Helsinki
magistrate records from spring of 1742 cast a
view on the mood in town, as the following
quotation shows: " And since the Russian
enemy has advanced so deep in the country that
everyone have to escape, furthermore the
meeting of the magistrate is ended in order to
save ourselves from the hands of the
enemy." The experiences during the Great
Wrath were still in people’s minds, and it
was understandable that Helsinki was virtually
abandoned by July. Only a few stayed in town.
Some of the refugees went to Sweden and others
stayed near Helsinki.
In the end of July
1742 the Swedish army retreated to Helsinki.
On 24th August, 1742 the Swedish troops
surrendered near Helsinki.Two days later the
Russians occupied the town. |
|
However, the situation remained somewhat
calm. The majority of the people of Helsinki
returned to their homes, and even the town
magistrate started to meet again. The
obligation to give accommodation to soldiers
was consuming already scarce funds of the
people, after all the people of Helsinki had
first had to support the Swedish army and now
the Russians. Despite the difficulties and
even some outbreaks of violence, the
occupation period was relatively easier to
cope with than the previous one. After the
peace treaty was signed and the Russians left
Helsinki, people were able to rebuild the
town. During the occupation period Helsinki
was not destroyed, though many had to plant
their fields and fix their houses that had
been used by the occupant.
NEXT
PAGE
|
|
