| Per Albin Hansson | |
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In office 1932 – 1936 1936–1946 |
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| Preceded by | Felix
Hamrin Axel Pehrsson-Bramstorp |
| Succeeded by | Axel Pehrsson-Bramstorp Tage Erlander |
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| Born | October 28, 1885 |
| Died | October 6, 1946 (aged 60) |
| Political party | Social Democrats |
| Spouse(s) | Elisabeth Fryckberg |
| Religion | Lutheran/Church of Sweden |
Per Albin Hansson (28 October 1885 Malmö – 6 October 1946 Stockholm), leader of the Swedish Social Democrats, was a Prime Minister in four governments between 1932 and 1946, including the coalition government which was formed during World War II, and included all major parties except the Communists.
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Politically Hansson advocated and worked for the introduction of a welfare state system, which he called Folkhemmet (the People's Home). Hansson died in Stockholm on 6 October 1946 of a heart-attack he suffered while stepping off a tram at the Ã…lstens GÃ¥rd station, after traveling home, as he always did, as an ordinary passenger on a tram. He is interred in Norra begravningsplatsen in Stockholm.
Sweden was neutral during World War II, but cooperated and traded with both sides. Winston Churchill claimed that Sweden during WWII ignored the greater moral issues and played both sides for profit[1] In Swedish social democratic circles Per Albin is regarded highly today.
After the German invasion of the Soviet Union in early summer of 1941; Operation Barbarossa, the Germans in June 22 asked Sweden for some military concessions. The Swedish government granted these requests for logistical support. (mainly German troop transports between Finland, occupied Norway, occupied Denmark) In Sweden the political deliberations surrounding this decision have been called the "midsummer crisis". Recent research by Carl-Gustaf Scott argues however that there never was a "crisis", and that
To melt the steel required by the German Ruhr industry Germany was in 1939 - 1940 dependent on shipments of Swedish Iron ore since access to the supplies from the mines in France, the traditional supplier, were cut off until the invasion of France. In 1939 - 1940 the Allies tried various ways to stop the shipments of Swedish ore, for example by mining Norwegian territorial waters. (see Plan R 4)
Also payments from the Allies reached in agreement to stop the sale of steel to Nazi Germany were broken, and the Germans were charged extortionate 'smugglers rates' for the steel.
The sale of steel and machined parts to Hitler's Germany undoubtedly prolonged the war against Russia where tanks played a prime role.
A downed stray V2 rocket was also sold to the Allies in 1942, passing details of advanced nazi rocket engineering over. In effect, the main political priority was to avoid direct war engagement of Sweden during WWII. During the later (after 1942) stages of WWII, Sweden was no longer seriously threatened by invasion from the third Reich.
In Swedish socialist circles Per Albin is still highly regarded. At the time many on the left wing regarded him as a traitor siding with the Nazis.
 The birthplace of Per Albin Hansson |
 Per Albin Hansson in his youth |
 Communist caricature of Per Albin Hansson, portraying his transition from anti-militarist agitator to defense minister |
 The newly appointed Swedish cabinet, assembled outside the Royal Palace in Stockholm, December 13, 1939. |
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Felix Hamrin |
Prime Minister of Sweden Cabinet I 1932-1936 |
Succeeded by Axel Pehrsson (Bramstorp) |
| Preceded by Axel Pehrsson (Bramstorp) |
Prime Minister of Sweden Cabinet II-IV 1936-1946 |
Succeeded by Tage Erlander |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Hjalmar Branting |
Chairman of the Swedish Social Democratic Party 1925-1946 |
Succeeded by Tage Erlander |
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  | SAGE JOURNALS ONLINE - The Swedish Midsummer Crisis of 1941: The Crisis that Never Was -- Scott 37 (3): 371 -- Journal of Contemporary History |
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