In 1907, the Parliament of Finland took a bold step by approving the Prohibition Act, intending to curb the widespread consumption of alcohol, which had become a pressing social issue in the region. The Act reflected a growing temperance movement in Finland, fueled by concerns over public health and social morality. With alcohol consumption rates at concerning levels, Finnish politicians sought a legislative approach that mirrored trends in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States where Prohibition was a topic of intense debate and implementation attempts.

However, the ambitious plans of the Finnish Parliament met a significant obstacle: the need for ratification from Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, who wielded considerable control over Finland as it was a Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire. The Finnish legal system required that all parliamentary decisions be ratified by the Tsar, effectively placing local governance under the whims of the imperial authority. This created a complex relationship between Finnish aspirations for autonomy and the centralized power of the Russian Empire, highlighting the delicate balance of political power.

The refusal or failure to ratify the Prohibition Act by Tsar Nicholas II not only stalled its implementation but also intensified the discussions surrounding Finland's autonomy and governance. It represented a significant illustration of the broader struggle for Finnish self-determination and the aspirations of its people toward greater independence. The interaction between the Finnish legislative body and the Tsar became a symbol of the increasing nationalistic sentiments that would later influence Finland's eventual push for independence in the years leading up to World War I.