1814 Constitution

The 1814 Constitution was Finland’s first formal legal framework, adopted after Sweden relinquished control and Russia took over. It established Finland as a semi-autonomous Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire, granting it its own laws, diet (assembly), and some self-governance, while ultimately remaining under Russian authority. The constitution aimed to protect Finnish laws and customs, promote local governance, and ensure stability during this transition. It served as a foundational document, balancing Finnish independence with the realities of Russian rule, and set the stage for Finland’s later developments toward full independence.