a lot of the concessions made in the nordic states were driven by proximity to the Soviet Union, which is corroborated by the way those countries have been dismantling social democracy since it was destroyed
The thing is, Sweden WAS gung-ho about imperialism. They had a legit empire, one which bested Russia several times, and which under Gustavus Adolphus became a great power turning the tide of the 30 years war. Mother fuckers annexed other nations, and pioneered modern warfare. They are only not one you think of for the same reason Belgium is less thought of, they couldn't throw around any power on the continent.
Sweden actually controlled what became New York for a short time.
I don't think there is much of a difference or big fish vs small fish, so much as just better branding.
Denmark had several parts of India, The Gold Coast for centuries, and until 1917 when the US bought them the islands of St. Thomas, Croix, and John
Sweden had several entire European countries but also, the Gold Coast for a time, St. Barthelemy, a sliver of India, and economic zones in Canton.
Norway has made claims before, but never really held much of anything outside of Europe. But Sweden and Norway as a singular entity held part of the Virgin Islands and a state in Myanmar and China.
a lot of the concessions made in the nordic states were driven by proximity to the Soviet Union, which is corroborated by the way those countries have been dismantling social democracy since it was destroyed
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They also let other countries spend money on and do imperialism for them. You forgot that part.
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The thing is, Sweden WAS gung-ho about imperialism. They had a legit empire, one which bested Russia several times, and which under Gustavus Adolphus became a great power turning the tide of the 30 years war. Mother fuckers annexed other nations, and pioneered modern warfare. They are only not one you think of for the same reason Belgium is less thought of, they couldn't throw around any power on the continent.
Sweden actually controlled what became New York for a short time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_Empire#/media/File:Swedish_Empire.svg
I don't think there is much of a difference or big fish vs small fish, so much as just better branding.
Denmark had several parts of India, The Gold Coast for centuries, and until 1917 when the US bought them the islands of St. Thomas, Croix, and John
Sweden had several entire European countries but also, the Gold Coast for a time, St. Barthelemy, a sliver of India, and economic zones in Canton.
Norway has made claims before, but never really held much of anything outside of Europe. But Sweden and Norway as a singular entity held part of the Virgin Islands and a state in Myanmar and China.