About this tour
This tour investigates why neutral Sweden developed and maintained extensive military capacity during the Cold War. Using Gothenburg as a case study, we will explore how neutrality was both practiced and defended in an era of intense superpower rivalry. Through visits to museums and historic sites, we will examine how this period is represented in public history and how those narratives shape understandings of Sweden’s role within Europe’s broader security landscape.
You will critically analyze the relationship between historical realities and their interpretation in cultural institutions, reflecting on how memory and narrative influence contemporary perspectives on neutrality, security, and identity. The tour combines historical context with experiential learning to deepen understanding of Europe’s twentieth-century security order and beyond.
Learning outcomes
- Discuss why neutral Sweden built and maintained significant military capacity during the Cold War
- Analyze how Cold War history is represented in Gothenburg’s museums, sites, and public narratives
- Reflect on how historical reality and public memory shape understandings of neutrality and Sweden’s role in Europe
- Experience the life, culture, and political environment of Sweden
Possible activities
- Visit the Aeroseum, Sweden’s Cold War-era underground air base and test your skills as a pilot in a fighter jet or helicopter
- Get a hands-on lesson in serving in the Swedish navy at the Maritiman museum
- Explore the charming coastal city of Gothenburg and get to know your fellow students and professor in an educational and social setting