Passage: The disintegration of Russia offered Finns an historic opportunity to gain national independence. After the October Revolution, the conservatives were eager for secession from Russia in order to control the left and minimise the influence of the Bolsheviks. The socialists were skeptical about sovereignty under conservative rule, but they feared a loss of support among nationalistic workers, particularly after having promised increased national liberty through the "Law of Supreme Power". Eventually, both political factions supported an independent Finland, despite strong disagreement over the composition of the nation's leadership. Nationalism had become a "civic religion" in Finland by the end of nineteenth century, but the goal during the general strike of 1905 was a return to the autonomy of 1809-1898, not full independence. In comparison to the unitary Swedish regime, the domestic power of Finns had increased under the less uniform Russian rule. Economically, the Grand Duchy of Finland benefited from having an independent domestic state budget, a central bank with national currency, the markka , and customs organisation and the industrial progress of 1860-1916. The economy was dependent on the huge Russian market and separation would disrupt the profitable Finnish financial zone. The economic collapse of Russia and the power struggle of the Finnish state in 1917 were among the key factors that brought sovereignty to the fore in Finland.
Finland was supported by whom? How many years did Finland's autonomy last? How many years did autonomy and industrial progress overlap? How many years did autonomy last in Finland? How many years did the industrial progress last? How many years in total did the industrial progress last? How many years passed between the general strike of 1905 and the power struggle of the Finnish state? What happened first, the economic collapse of Russia of the general strike in Finland? What made sovereignty important in Finland again? What was the economy dependent on? What were the socialists skeptical about? Which came later, the October Revolution or the general strike of 1905? Which happened first, the October Revolution, or the rise of nationalism in Finland?