In the early 19th century, when Finland joined Russia, the principle in world politics was that ordinary people should be loyal to their monarch rather than their country. Therefore, Russia committed to preserving all the orders, laws, and privileges that Finland enjoyed under Sweden. Russia was confident in its victory, and Alexander I, as soon as military actions began, took the title of Grand Duke of Finland. In June 1808, he issued a Manifesto declaring that Finland had permanently joined the Russian Empire, and Finns received equal rights with other peoples of the empire. Russia promised protection and economic development for Finland, and the return of Swedish rule was considered impossible. Finns, dissatisfied with Swedish governance, were ready to cooperate with Russia and convened the Finnish Diet in Borgo in 1809.

The Diet, opened by Alexander I, recognized the preservation of all political and economic institutions of Finland. Finland gained national freedom for the first time, freeing itself from Swedish oppression, and entered the Russian Empire as a country with a fully-fledged Finnish people. It retained its tax system, but the currency became the Russian ruble. Finland had its own government and laws, but some Russian laws also applied to it. The governance of Finland was carried out by a senate composed of subjects of the Grand Duchy, appointed by the emperor.

Finland entered the Russian Empire on the terms of a dynastic union, which allowed for its smooth and conflict-free integration. After the peace treaty with Sweden, Finnish regiments were disbanded, and soldiers returned home. Finland did not provide recruits to the Russian army but paid an additional tax. Security was ensured by the imperial army, and Finnish units were formed from volunteers. In 1818, the Finnish Rifle Battalion was created, which became part of the Life Guards.

For the ceremony, the throne of Paul I was brought from St. Petersburg, which became a symbol of power in Finland. There was no separate coronation for Finland, as the Russian monarch automatically became the ruler of all states in union with Russia. The Finnish throne symbolized the presence of the Russian emperor at all sessions of the Diet. After Finland declared independence in 1917, the throne was sent to a museum.

Russian emperors granted Finland more freedom than Swedish kings. Finland received its own parliament, and the Finnish language was recognized as a state language alongside Swedish. Russian emperors contributed to the development of the Finnish language and culture. To this day, Finland honors the rulers of Russia, with monuments to Alexander I in Borgo and Turku, and to Alexander II in Helsinki, where his image is surrounded by allegorical figures of 'law', 'peace', 'enlightenment', and 'labor'. Finns remember Alexander II as an enlightener and supporter of liberal reforms.