The attempt to create a Kingdom of Finland in 1742 was a brief and little-known episode during the Russo-Swedish War (1741–1743). After Russia occupied Finland and promised vague support for its independence, Finnish representatives expressed interest in electing Duke Charles Peter of Holstein-Gottorp (later Peter III of Russia) as King of Finland. This idea stemmed from Finnish hopes for autonomy and stability under Russian protection, particularly since Charles Peter was also the nephew of Empress Elizabeth of Russia.
A Diet (*lantdag*) was convened in Turku in October 1742, where Finnish representatives discussed the possibility of making Duke Charles Peter their king. Encouraged by earlier Russian promises, the Finns proposed his election to General James Keith, who led the Russian occupation forces. However, as events unfolded, Empress Elizabeth had other plans: she named Duke Charles Peter as her own heir to the Russian throne, quashing the idea of a Finnish kingdom.
By the time the Finnish delegation was ready to appeal to the Russian court, it was too late. In the Treaty of Åbo (1743), Russia returned most of Finland to Sweden but kept the eastern regions, known as "Old Finland." The dream of an independent Finnish kingdom faded away, and the political situation reverted to the status quo, though this episode foreshadowed later Finnish efforts toward autonomy under Russian rule, culminating in the Finnish War of 1808–1809.
Though short-lived, the 1742 attempt reflected Finland's complex position between Sweden and Russia and the early stirrings of Finnish nationalism, which would later re-emerge during the 19th century.