4.3 History
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4.3.1 A chronology of important dates
(A brief chronicle is to find in the section 4.3.3.)
(for the period 1155-1809, see also the Swedish history section)
1155
The First Crusade to Finland, launched by Swedes and led by the
English bishop Henry and the Swedish king Erik (later canonized
and made Sweden's patron saint, St.Erik, and Finland's patron
saint, St.Henry, respectively ).
1156
According to the legend, bishop Henry is murdered by the
peasant Lalli on the frozen surface of lake Köyliö.
1229
The bishop's seat is moved from Nousiainen to Koroinen in the
vicinity of modern Turku; the year is considered to be the
founding year of Turku, which becomes the capital of the
eastern half of the kingdom.
1249
After a pagan uprising, the Second Crusade to Tavastia (a
province of western/central Finland) is launched by Birger Jarl
and the pagans are defeated.
1293
The Third Crusade by Sweden's marsk Torgils Knutsson to
Karelia, a province of eastern Finland, establishes the
borderline between Catholic West and Orthodox East for the
centuries to come. The castle and town of Viipuri/Viborg are
founded to defend the border.
1323
The peace of Nöteburg (Pähkinäsaari) between Sweden and Russia.
Finland's eastern border is defined for the first time.
1350
The first Swedish national law replaced the local provincial
laws.
1362
Finns receive the right to participate in the election of the
king.
1387/97-1523
The era of the Kalmar Union, with Finland, Sweden, Denmark
Norway and Iceland united as a single kingdom.
1495-97
War against Russia. During a siege of Viipuri, just as the
Russians are about to get over the city walls, St. Andrew's
cross appears in the sky and the frightened Russians flee from
battle. In reality, what happened was probably the exploding of
a gunpowder tower.
1527
Reformation. Finland becomes Lutheran with the rest of Sweden.
1550
Helsinki founded by Gustav Vasa, but remains little more than a
fishing village for more than two centuries.
1551
Mikael Agricola, a bishop of Turku, publishes his translation
of the New Testament in Finnish.
1595
The peace of Täyssinä (Teusina); Finland's borders are moved
further east and north.
1596-97
The Cudgel War.
1617
Karelia joined into Finland in the peace treaty of Stolbova
ending a hundred years of almost continuous wars with Russia.
1630-48
Finns fight in the Thirty Years' War in the continent. The
Finnish cavalry, known as hakkapeliittas, spreads fear among
the Catholic troops who're used to more orderly warfare.
1637-40 and 1648-54
Count Per Brahe as the general governor of Finland. Many and
important reforms are made, towns are founded, etc. His period
is generally considered very beneficial to the development of
Finland.
1640
Finland's first university founded in Turku.
1642
The whole Bible is finally published on Finnish.
1714-21
Russia occupies Finland during the Great Northern War. The
period of the so called "Great Wrath".
1721
The peace of Uusikaupunki gives Karelia to Russia.
1741-43
The "War of the Hats". Adventurous politics by the "Hat" party
leads to a new disastrous war with Russia and a new occupation
of Finland, known as "The Lesser Wrath", which ends in the
peace treaty of Turku in 1743.
1757
Storskifte, first reform of Swedish farming decided.
1766
The liberty of Press and "Offentlighetsprincipen" was declared
as constitution.
1808-09
"The War of Finland". Russia attacks Finland in Feb. 1808
without a declaration of war; Finnish troops retreat all the
way to Oulu, which forces Russians to leave a large part of
their army as occupation forces, giving the Swedish general
Klingspor superiority in force. A reconquest starts in June and
Klingspor receives several victories; however, the baffling
surrender of the mighty Sveaborg / Suomenlinna fortress on May
3rd and the fresh Russian troops received in autumn of 1808
force the Swedish-Finnish troops to retreat all the way to
Härnösand in Sweden. Once again Russia occupies Finland.
1809
In the diet of Porvoo, while the war still goes on, the Finnish
estates swear an oath of loyalty to Emperor Alexander I, who
grants Finland a status of an autonomous Grand Duchy, retaining
its old constitution and religion. A few months later the peace
treaty of Hamina (Fredrikshamn) is signed and Finland becomes
under Russian rule.
1812
Helsinki, being closer to Russia than the Swedish-oriented
Turku, is made the new capital. Karelia is joined to the Grand
Duchy as an act of goodwill.
1809-99
Finland prospers under the extensive autonomy and more liberal
conditions than in the rest of Russian Empire. National
identity and nationalism awakens.
1827
The great fire of Turku destroys most of the former capital.
The university is moved to Helsinki.
1835
The first publication of the Kalevala, the Finnish national
epic. It was collected by Elias Lönnrot from traditional
Karelian oral poetry, and became the most important source of
inspiration to Finnish nationalists when it appeared in its
final form in 1849.
1862
The first railway, between Helsinki and Hämeenlinna.
1866
Finnish becomes, alongside with Swedish and Russian, an
official language.
1899
Russia starts a Russification policy of Finland with the so
called "February manifesto". After the initial shock and
disbelief, a well-organized passive resistance follows.
1904
The dictatorical general governor and active adherent of
Russification of Finland, Nikolai Bobrikov, is assassinated by
the young clerk Eugen Schauman.
1906
Finnish women receive the right to vote and to run for
parliament. Finland was the first country in Europe (and second
in the world, after New Zealand) to grant women an equal right
to vote in elections. The Finnish diet, which up until now had
been a system of four estates (nobility, clergy, merchantry,
peasantry), becomes a unicameral parliament and a universal
suffrage is declared.
1917
As Russia plunges into the chaos of the October Revolution,
Finland seizes the opportunity and declares independence on the
6th of December.
1918
A civil war erupts between "whites" and "reds", and ends in
"white" victory under the commander . Even though the war is
relatively brief, the casualties rise high because of "red" and
"white" terror, poor conditions at prison camps and random
executions of prisoners. The war leaves bitter marks on the
nation, which are eventually healed in the Winter War of
1939-40, when both sides have to unite forces against a common
enemy.
The civil war increases scepticism towards the effeciency of
democratic institutions, and monarchists in the parliament
succeed (chiefly because the Social Democrats had not been
allowed to partake in the parliament) in turning Finland into a
monarchy, and the German prince Friedrich Karl of Hesse is
invited to become King of Finland. However, as Germany soon
lost the World War I, Friedrich who had delayed answering to
the invitiation refused the crown so Finland never officially
had a king; as a result monarchism in general suffered an
inflation. In 1919 Finland gets a republican constitution, with
a strong position for the president as a concession to the
monarchists.
1920s-30s
Finland prospers after the war and adopts a neutral Nordic
profile in its foreign policy, although with strong German
sympathies. In early 1930's fascism in the Italian fashion
emerges and the so called Lapua-movement attempts a coup d'etat
in 1932, but fails and is banned (ironically, using the laws
the movement was itself most eager to push into force). The IKL
("Patriotic Movement"), an extreme right party, is formed to
continue the legacy of Lapua-movement, but it never gains
significant support and Finnish fascism remains a fringe
phenomenon.
1939-40
Soviet Union attacks Finland. Fierce Finnish resistance
surprises the overwhelming but poorly prepared Soviet troops
and the Winter War lasts for roughly three and a half months,
causing heavy casualties on the Soviet side. Eventually Finland
has to give in and cede Karelia to the USSR, causing some
400,000 people to lose their homes.
1941-44
The Continuation War; Finland attacks the Soviet Union with
Germany, hoping to regain the lost areas, but eventually has to
accept the borders of 1940 and, and also cede Pechenga, lease
Porkkala peninsula as a military base for 50 years (SU returns
it already in 1956) and pay war reparations.
1944-45
The War of Lapland. As a part of the peace treaty, Finland has
to force all German troops to leave Finland. Germans put up a
fight and burn much of Finnish Lapland as they retreat.
1947
Paris peace treaty. Finland assumes a policy of careful
neutrality (e.g declining to receive Marshall aid) and
realpolitik, taking into account Finland's geographical
location next to the USSR. This policy becomes known as the
Paasikivi-Kekkonen line.
1944-48
So called "Years of Danger" ("vaaran vuodet") when a communist
takeover was hanging in the air. Some leading Finnish
communists proclaimed that the "Czechoslovakian model" was to
be Finland's future as well. This ends in the signing of the
Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation and Mutual Assistance ("YYA"
is the Finnish acronym) with the Soviet Union in 1948. In it,
Finland among other things commits itself to defend its
territory against Germany or any other country allied with
Germany that might use Finland as a way to attack Soviet Union.
The treaty guarantees Finland's sovereignty in the years to
follow, but places Finland in between the two blocs of the Cold
War, trying hard to please both sides.
1950's-80's
"Finlandization" era. Finland remains an independent western
European democracy, but falls into exaggerations in keeping the
eastern neighbour pleased. On the other hand, the bilateral
trade arrangements with the Soviet Union are very beneficial to
Finnish economy, which make possible the emergence of Finland
as a rich welfare state.
1952
The Olympic Games held in Helsinki.
1955
Finland joins the United Nations and the Nordic Council.
1960's-70's
A time of intensive urbanization, Finland turns from a
predominantly agrarian state into an urban one almost
"overnight". This results in severe unemployment, and large
numbers of Finns emigrate to Sweden in search of jobs.
1973
Finland signs a free trade treaty with the EEC (a precedent of
the European Union), but remains outside the community.
1975
The first CSCE conference in held in Helsinki. The "spirit of
Helsinki" becomes to epitomize the process of detente between
East and West after the Cold War era.
1987
Finland becomes a full member of EFTA (European Free Trade
Association). A special FINEFTA customs treaty had been in
effect already since 1961.
1989
Finland becomes a member of the European Council.
1994
On 16th of October Finns voted YES (57% vs. 43% NO) to
membership in the European Union; the parliament ratified the
result after a long filibustering campaign by the NO-side.
1995
As of January 1st, Finland became a full member in the EU.
4.3.2 Grand Dukes and presidents of Finland
For a list of kings and queens of Sweden-Finland, see Part 7 of
the FAQ, section 7.3.1.
Grand Dukes of the Grand Duchy of Finland
=========================================
Alexander I (1809-25)
Nicholas I (1825-55)
Alexander II (1855-81)
Alexander III (1881-94)
Nicholas II (1894-1917)
Regents of the period of Civil War
==================================
Pehr Evind Svinhufvud (1918)
Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim (1918-19)
Presidents of the republic of Finland
=====================================
Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg (1919-25)
Lauri Kristian Relander (1925-31)
Pehr Evind Svinhufvud (1931-37)
Kyösti Kallio (1937-40)
Risto Heikki Ryti (1940-44)
Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim (1944-46)
Juho Kusti Paasikivi (1946-56)
Urho Kaleva Kekkonen (1956-81)
Mauno Henrik Koivisto (1982-94)
Martti Oiva Kalevi Ahtisaari (1994- )
[ the sections above are available at the www-page
http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/scn/faq43.html ]
4.3.3 Viking times and before that
Finland as an entity did hardly exist before the 14th century.
The ancestors of nowaday Finns consisted different tribes like
Karelians, Tavastians and Finns. At that time, only the most
South-Western part of the country was known as "Finland" and
its inhabitants as Finns. These names came to be used of the
entire country and the population at the beginning of the
modern era. In the middle ages, the whole Finland was commonly
called Österlandet. (The South-Western part is now called as
Finland proper, Varsinais-Suomi, and its inhabitants as Proper
Finns.) ,
Speakers of an early form of Finnish (of Finno-Ugric languages
in any case) are believed to have lived in Finland for 6.000
years. Earlier settlers are of unknown descent. This was also
the time when Finnish and Hungarian lost contact with each
other. Archaeological finds of wood objects (as runners - jalas
/medar) made of pine from east of the Ural mountains indicate
how these people must have belonged to a hunting culture moving
over very wide areas.
Historical linguists believe that a major portion of Germanic
loan words were injected into the Finnish vocabulary
approximately 500 B.C. Before this, the Sámis and the Finns had
split to constitute separate cultures.
The Sámis and Finns probably split into distinct cultures
already 6,000 years ago, when the Baltic Indo-European
immigrants settled the coast and merged into the native
Comb-Ceramic culture. Thus the coast became a separate
("Finnish") cultural zone with elements of both cultures,
whereas the hunter-gatherers of the inland continued the
traditional lifestyle and seem to have developed to the Sámi
culture.
4,500 years ago animal husbandry was introduced by Baltic
immigrants. (The first agriculture in Finland may also have
been introduced by them, although no definite proof exists as
of yet.)
2,000 years ago the southern and western coasts were inhabited
by people in close cultural contact with Scandinavia. The
inland kept the contacts to the east. The similarity of the
coastal bronze culture with that of Scandinavia is easily
explained with cultural diffusion; there are no evidence of a
conquest, and though much is similar, there are notable
differences too. The continuity of culture from the neolithic
(Kiukainen culture) is best shown in ceramics and stone tools,
as well as some aspects of burial.
During the "Roman Iron Age" (A.D. 1-400) evidences are
convincing for a Baltic sea-farer culture connecting estuaries
at Elbe (west for Jutland) and Vistula (at Gdansk) with
Finland, Estonia and Sweden. People began to bury deceased in
rich graveyards. The culture spread inland to Tavastia and
Ostrobothnia. Fur trading peaked, wealth increased and maybe a
new surge of immigrants arrived. In any case: Åland was
colonized by Germanics from Sweden and has remained
(culturally) Swedish ever since. The Åland population stood in
close contact with the people along the Finnish coast from
Ostrobothnia in north to Hanko in east.
Later during the first millennium the West-Finnish culture
spread to Karelia, around Lake Ladoga, where an independent
culture arose.
At Viking age three distinct Finnish cultures can be
identified: In Karelia, in Tavastia and in Varsinais-Suomi
("Finland proper" i.e. later Turku fief). In these three
provinces there is believed to have existed regents or
governors comparable to those among Germanic tribes; leading
cult, big game hunting, defense and military expeditions. Finns
are not believed to have launched Viking raids outside the
Baltic. But nothing certain is known.
Southern Ostrobothnia was inhabited by people in close contact
with the Scandinavians. The culture of Southern Ostrobothnia
certainly had strong Scandinavian flavor, but there are no
graves of Swedish types such as one finds on Åland, nor has
Swedish ceramics been found. It's rather obvious that the
"Scandinavization" of Southern Ostrobothnia in the migration
period is due to trade contacts - the inhabitants were Finns
(possibly the Kvæns mentioned in the sagas). The area becomes
depopulated by 800 A.D., probably because of changes in trade
routes (the eastern trade being now conducted through the Gulf
of Finland).
The northern shores of the Gulf of Finland were for unknown
reasons uninhabited - at least no archaeological traces have
been found. The Vikings did not like to lose the sight of land
while sailing, and used to camp each night, why one must assume
that the Gulf's shores were (at least) free from enemies of the
Vikings.
The Vikings are known for their assimilation in the cultures
along their trading routes. It's probable that Vikings settled
also at Finnish shores and estuaries, married Finns, learned
the language, and got Finnish children who after a few
generations had no affiliation what-so-ever with their
outlandish heritage.
Particularly in Karelia it is known (or sooner: believed) to
have existed Viking trading posts, which became assimilated or
alienated to the original Viking culture in Novgorod, Uppland,
Gotland or wherever they had come from. The town of Staraja
Ladoga was a Viking stronghold, for instance. A Viking type
(but Tavastian) trade station has in recent years been
excavated in the heart of Tavastia, in Varikkoniemi.
Finland's trade with the Vikings have left evidences as rich
findings of Arabic silver coins, indicating Finland to have
prospered as much as Scandinavia from the eastern trade.
Linguistic similarities suggest that Gotland is the Germanic
province which have been the greatest contributor to Swedish
settlements in Finland, and Gotland is also the province were
two thirds of Sweden's Viking time coins have been found; but
no written sources support this theory. (Except for the
Visby-bishops' great interest in supporting the Finnish
colleagues against pagans and Russians in the 12th and 13th
century.)
In early medieval time the eastern Christian Church extended
its influence to Novgorod, Karelia and Tavastia. The energetic
bishop Thomas (1220-45) extended the Finnish Catholic diocese
to Tavastia, probably with armed assistance in the 1230s from
the German Brethren of the Sword. His death was followed by a
pagan rebellion in Tavastia.
With Earl Birger (Birger Jarl), Sweden's virtual leader
1248-66, the Tavastian rebellion was defeated, the Finnish
bishopric was put under Sweden, and the German presence in
Finland limited to Hanseatic merchants. A strong castle was
built in Tavastia; And Uusimaa /Nyland along the Gulf of
Finland was colonized by Swedish "crusaders".
At the end of the 13th century the Catholic Church's control in
the Baltic sea region had increased, as Danes and Germans
occupied the Baltic countries and Swedish magnates extended the
Swedish realm along the Gulf of Finland to Viipuri /Viborg.
The Finns are sometimes pictured as weak victims of foreign
coercion. This is not entirely true. The Finns were expanding
tribes who extended their areas continuously by clearing of
woods, and sometimes by colonization of rich soil far away, as
in Karelia and along the Kemi and Tornio rivers. These areas
weren't uninhabited, but in fact belonged to the Sámi, whom the
Finns (pirkkalaiset /birkarlar) taxed most brutally.
Finns were successful in colonizing the inland (inland rivers,
inland sea shores and inland woods), but maybe less interested
in long journeys in big boats. Is it a coincidence that Finns
still today are less of flock followers than our neighbor
Germanics?
4.3.4 Finland in the Swedish realm
[ see also the sections 7.3.3 - 7.3.5 in the Swedish part of
the faq. ]
During early medieval time fief after fief in Finland came to
be governed by Swedish magnates. First around Turku /Åbo, then
farther and farther into the country. The peasantry seems to
have had a judicial organization with "Things" similar to that
in the rest of Norden. It is unclear if the Thing also had
pre-Christian religious functions.
Sweden's colonization of Finland is often connected to "the
First Crusade" (1155) led by the English bishop Henry and the
Swedish king Erik. By this time Finland was, however, already
mostly Christian so the real motivations of the "crusade" are
obscure. SW Finland appears to have been allied with central
Sweden already in the Viking age, so it has been hypothesized
that the campaign was a punitive expedition against an ally
that had become unreliable, perhaps because of the influence of
Greek Orthodox missionaries. It's also disputed if the First
Crusade really was a historical event. In due time, Finland
becomes an integral part of the kingdom of Sweden.
Year 1323 Finland's border is for the first time fixed in the
peace in Pähkinäsaari at lake Ladoga. The Swedish government
supported the Church, and tithes were enforced. On February
15th, 1362, the provinces in Finland can be said to have been
officially acknowledged as equal parts of the realm under
Swedish crown as the national law now was enforced in all parts
of the realm, and Finland was represented at the election of
king. (King Håkon of Norway was elected king also of Sweden.)
During the following Kalmar Union, Finland plays a rather
independent role. Viipuri fief became increasingly important as
the Muscovite realm expanded. The clergy, including the
bishops, has Finnish names and the magnates with estates in
southern Finland come to play a strong part in the power-play
between the Danish Union-king and the Swedish State Council.
The most important positions - such as those of governors -
were often held by men from the highest nobility, with its
roots and base in Svealand (or Götaland).
After Novgorod had been conquered by Moscow 1471 the situation
became worse with skirmishes, sieges and small wars.
At Gustav Vasa's rebellion in Svealand it was unclear whether
the provinces in Finland would remain in the Union or not. The
Union-king's connection with Moscow was probably the crucial
reason to why the nobility in Finland took Gustav Vasa's side.
All of the 16th century was marked by continuous conflicts with
Moscow. But Finland thereby also became a prioritized part of
the realm. The Vasa princes were taught Finnish, prince Johan
was given an enlarged Turku fief as duchy, and the Finnish
nobility made careers in the civil service - and in the wars
with Russia. Viipuri was established as Finland's second
bishopric beside Turku.
In the national conflicts and civil wars the Finnish nobility
supported the legal kings (Erik XIV & Sigismund), and not the
opponents duke Johan & duke Karl, with the consequence that
many lost their lands and/or their heads when duke Karl had
become king Karl IX.
The civil war between duke Karl and king Sigismund led to a
peasant rebellion in central Finland, the so called Cudgel War.
Manipulated by the usurper duke Karl, Finnish peasantry
uprises, prompted by the worsened living conditions. After
short-lived success, the poorly armed peasants are brutally
defeated by the troops of Klaus Fleming, a Finnish aristocrat,
regent of Finland and the commander-in-chief (riksmarsk) for
Sweden, who opted for an extended union with Poland and
Livonia.
During the 17th century the nobility in Finland accepts the
succeeding Swedish king Gustav II Adolf. Karelia (Kexholm's
län) is now incorporated as another Finnish province. The
followers of Russian Orthodox faith in the occupied Karelia and
Ingria are persecuted, and many flee to the Russian side of the
border. After that (during internal turbulence in Russia),
peace is to prevail at Finland's borders until year 1700.
The 17th century is therefore remembered as a good time for
Finland. 1637-54 count Per Brahe worked as governor for the
Finnish provinces taking initiative to many important
improvements and reliefs for the war-pestered land, and Finnish
troops became feared in the 30 Years' War. Lots of new baronies
were granted in reward (to be retracted anew in 1680).
But the 17th century was also the era when Sweden directed its
interest to the south. Gotland and the Scanian provinces were
conquered, as were also large areas on the European continent.
1696-98 the crops failed and the population was reduced by a
third. Then followed Karl XII's failed war with Russian
occupation, much suffering and loss of southern Karelia with
Viipuri and the Karelian isthmus. At the Gulf of Finland, in
the conquered Ingria, a new town was founded and made capital
for all of Russia - St. Petersburg.
The 18th century meant both repeated wars with Russia and a
marked increase of population. Politicians from Finland often
played a leading role during the Parliamentarian times:
+ Count Arvid Horn is chancellor 1721-38;
+ In the end of the century, Gustav Mauritz Armfelt from
Halikko became the leading councillor at Gustav III - and
then later the Russian emperor's chief-councillor for Finnish
affairs;
+ The campaign for freedom of press (and
"offentlighetsprincipen") in the Swedish realm was for
instance led by the Finnish priest Anders Chydenius.
[ Anders Chydenius is also dedicated a www-server at
The Finnish language, which had been neglected during the 17th
century, now begins to gain ground (very slowly!) in the
"official" sphere. The parliament grants tax reliefs to the
Finnish provinces pestered by the wars with Russia.
The opinion among the educated classes in Finland shifts slowly
toward a pro-Russian stand, which ultimately results in
distrust for the kings Gustav III and Gustav IV Adolf. The
upper class is mentally well prepared for an annexion to Russia
at the Russian attack in February 1809. However, the peasantry
is not, and the distrust between the commoners and the masters
aggravates.
[ the sections above are available at the www-page
http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/scn/faq433.html ]
4.3.5 Finland as a Russian Grand Duchy
The time as a Grand-Duchy under the Russian Emperor is
generally regarded as very good times for Finland.
Finland enjoys an economic autonomy, the taxes from Finland are
spent in Finland. Finland gets a National Bank of its own, a
currency of its own, and a customs service of its own.
Finland also gets a Civil Service of its own, and in all
aspects a more independent position then she had had as one of
many parts in the Swedish realm. (The position of Finland in
the Swedish realm is sometimes compared to the present-day
position of Norrland.)
The Russian interest to draw Finland apart from Sweden, and to
thereby make a re-conquest less likely, led to reforms which
gradually promoted the use of Finnish language - explicit
expressions of nationalism were repressed, however.
Between 1863 and 1902, the status of the Finnish language in
the Civil Service was gradually equalized with that of the
Swedish language.
The 19th century was also the time when scholars and scientists
in Finland began to be identified as Finns (and not Swedes) by
the surrounding world. For the self-esteem of the Finns it was
of particular importance that prominent scientists (such as for
instance family of geologists Nordenskiöld and the family of
zoologists von Wright of which Magnus von Wright, became famous
for his outstanding zoological paintings) were working at the
University of Helsinki.
From year 1869, the Parliament was to be regularly summoned
every fifth year, although briefly 1899-1905 the Parliament was
given a subordinate role in the legislative process as a step
in the Russian policy of tying Finland closer to Russia. Until
Russia's defeat by Japan in 1905 the situation in Finland
remains very tense. Then the decree from 1899 is revoked, and
common suffrage, equal for all men and women, is enacted in
1906.
The Social Democrats get a strong, bordering to very strong,
position in the Parliament, but the Left loses its confidence
in democracy as discussions and compromises with Liberals
and/or Conservatives turn out to give very poor results.
Furthermore: the Russian representative uses his power to close
the Parliament to hinder radical reforms.
At the end of the first World War, the educated classes in
Finland were (like those in Sweden) heavily oriented towards
Germany. During the war, a number of Finnish men (mainly young
and mainly of the educated classes, with pro-German and
right-wing views) have secretly fled to Germany to receive
military education, training and experience.
4.3.6 The independence of Finland
As the political situation in Russia gets increasingly chaotic
after the revolutions in 1917, Finland prepares for liberation.
...or sooner: the Conservative farmers and the educated class
prepare for Independence. The agrarian and urban proletarians,
inspired by the October Revolution in Russia, instead prepare
for a World Revolution. Strikes, riots and shootouts occur in
several cities and towns; as well as some widely-publicized
murders.
The former organized so-called Security Corps - the latter Red
Militia.
As Finland's parliament declares Finland a sovereign state on
December 6th 1917, the "Security Corps" claim status as the
national army, and the polarity between the Corps and the Red
Militia aggravates further.
(The Åland Islands try to become independent too - from
Finland! - but fail to achieve this.)
According to a revoked law from 1878, a compulsory military
service is introduced, and the remaining Russian troops are
required to leave. As they don't, they are disarmed by the
National Army. This triggers the mobilization of the Red
Militias of southern Finland against the "White" government at
the end of January 1918.
The Civil War lasts only three months, but is both bitter and
bloody. Initially, southern Finland (with a majority of the
country's population and its major urban centers) is controlled
by the Red Militias, while the White government controls the
predominantly agrarian northern and central provinces.
Eventually, the White side defeats the Red, aided by
volunteering officers from Sweden (8,000 man) and Norway
(700 man), Finnish officers from the Czar's army, the Finnish
officers educated in Germany and additionally also military
support from Germany. Some 30,000 people (out of 3 mill.
population) die as a result of the war; when the Red fronts
collapse at end of April, the Militia leaders go underground or
flee to Russia; tens of thousands of rank-and-file surrendered
militia troops, male and female, are placed in prison camps.
Several thousands are executed. At end of May 1918, General
Mannerheim receives the White victory parade in Helsinki.
The Civil War is followed by enhanced orientation toward
Germany, and a German prince is proposed to become king of
Finland. As Germany loses the World War, this alternative
becomes politically unrealistic.
4.3.7 Wars with the Soviet Union
This section is not yet written
But, hei!
Angela writes:
> I need to know for school why that a high percentage
> of Jewish people survived in Finland.
Hiski Haapoja replies:
Because the Finnish government didn't give in to German demands to
deport them. The only known case is 8 Central European
refugees, one of whom survived.
4.3.8 Finland after the wars
This section is not yet written
[ the sections above are available at the www-page
http://www.lysator.liu.se/nordic/scn/faq435.html ]
