PER ALBIN HANSSON

'Per Albin Hansson' (October 28, 1885–October 6, 1946), 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.

Contents

Politics

World War II

See also

Politics

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 Ålstens Gård station, after traveling home, as he always did, as an ordinary passenger on a tram. He is interred in the Norra begravningsplatsen in Stockholm.

World War II

During the start of the war, fearing a German invasion, Per Albin gave in to Hitler’s demands of allowing German troop transports on Swedish railways to Norway, that had already been invaded and occupied by the Nazis, and to Finland (See transit of German troops through Scandinavia (WWII)). Also payments from the Allies reached in agreement to stop the sale of steel to Nazi Germany were broken, and the Germans charged smugglers rates for the steel. A downed V2 rocket was also sold to the Allies, passing details of advanced nazi rocket engineering over. Sweden under Per Albin ignored the greater moral issues and played both sides for profit.

See also

★ Swedish neutrality during World War II

★ Per Albin Line