I'm starting this topic in order discuss and understand better Finnish Winter War and Continuation War during WWII, and the factors which contributed into militarization and anti-Russian attitudes during the earlier decades. Perhaps other Finnish members (or anyone else) have some interesting thoughts to share. What's interesting in Finnish war history -being born and raised in this country-, is the way how our social identity is build and based on certain narratives, which excludes a lot of unpleasant historical facts (well, nothing exceptional here).
Finland looks it's WWII history from very narrow angle. This view relies heavily on Winter War, because it was started by Russia (probably in order to secure Leningrad area) through shelling of Mainila, which was Soviet's false flag operation. But Winter War lasted only about three months. Average Finn doesn't seem to understand that we fought de facto as Nazi-Germany's ally, part of Operation Barbarossa during the Continuation War (which lasted over three years!). And this military collaboration had strong ideological roots based on 1918 Civil War, which stayed present through the decades before WWII.
There was strong pro-Germany connection among Finnish military personnels. C.G Mannerheim visited Germany (hosted by Göring) during 1930's and according to prime minister T.M Kivimäki, Göring had promised already at 1935 to Mannerheim Germany's help in war with Russia. Other political, military and cultural figures made trips to germany and vice versa. There was strong pro-Germany attitudes in the cultural and political elite. These factors undermined Finnish goverment's (some) attempts for more non-aligned policy with other Nordic countries and made us look more aggressive nation.
After the WWII our war history was build on the "driftwood theory", where Finland was seen as passively moving towards fighting alongside with Germany. War history was heavily canonized, where all the darker aspects were swept away from public debate. Although modern historians have revised and debunked this theory, the collective 'group-mind' of our society seems to be heavily depending on blaming Russia for the wars, osit.
Which brings me to the 'Greater Finland' ideology. Greater Finland was based on the thought that eastern territorial regions belonged to Finland by linguistic and ethnic heritage. This expansionistic idea had it's roots in late 19th century karelianism, where Karelian heritage was admired by cultural spheres of Finland (though not many of them visited Karelia themselves, and those who did, found out they were often quite Russian). Most ambitious visions saw Finland expanding in east all the way to Ural Mountains. After the civil war and so called 'Heimosodat' (Kinship Wars) during 1918-22, many nationalistic 'Greater Finland' organizations were created to push forward this agenda, such as AKS (Academic Karelia Society) and IKL (Patriotic People's Movement). Many members were politicians, academics, business men or military personnels.
AKS founder (and member of other fascist groups) and priest Elias Simojoki said at 1938 AKS meeting: "Almost all AKS member hold officer mandate in their pockets. This combat organization's first and most important mission is the militarization of Finnish youth. No victim can be large enough for this goal". AKS had also clandestine inside group called 'Vihan Veljet' (Brothers of Hate), whose main agenda was to spread racist hatred ("russkie-hate") and propaganda in Finland. It was led by Elmo Kaila, chairman of AKS, editor-in-chief and political background figure.
Mannerheim made references to Greater Finland ideology in two of his 'order of the day' declarations, 1918 and 1941. Greater-Finland supporter and foreign minister Eljas Erkko might have undermined the exchange of area negotiations with Soviet Union before Winter War. Future president Paasikivi called Winter War as "Erkko's War", that he was "primarily responsible of the horrible situation where our country now is".
The voluntary military organization White Guard, which had over 100 000 members during 20-30's, was also spreading this attitude. It was openly anti-Russian and was inseparable part of Finnish culture during that time. The White Guard protection corps included also cultural activity such as sports, theater and dancing. Every municipal area had own local protection corps house for these activities. They served as a vehicle to spread nationalism and the "whites" ideology through all the levels of society.
During the time between 1918-1939 Finland served also as an important base for different anti-bolshevik opposition groups and underground paramilitary organizations (mostly by Russian emigrants) to commit terror attacks in Soviet territory, with help of domestic and foreign intelligence agencies. Assassination attempts and bomb-strikes were used among other methods to create counter-revolutionary atmosphere. This went on with varying activity until the Winter War.
These are just few examples, but they give heavy cognitive dissonance for most Finns. Especially today, because according to our mainsteam media, the Russians are coming again.
Finland looks it's WWII history from very narrow angle. This view relies heavily on Winter War, because it was started by Russia (probably in order to secure Leningrad area) through shelling of Mainila, which was Soviet's false flag operation. But Winter War lasted only about three months. Average Finn doesn't seem to understand that we fought de facto as Nazi-Germany's ally, part of Operation Barbarossa during the Continuation War (which lasted over three years!). And this military collaboration had strong ideological roots based on 1918 Civil War, which stayed present through the decades before WWII.
There was strong pro-Germany connection among Finnish military personnels. C.G Mannerheim visited Germany (hosted by Göring) during 1930's and according to prime minister T.M Kivimäki, Göring had promised already at 1935 to Mannerheim Germany's help in war with Russia. Other political, military and cultural figures made trips to germany and vice versa. There was strong pro-Germany attitudes in the cultural and political elite. These factors undermined Finnish goverment's (some) attempts for more non-aligned policy with other Nordic countries and made us look more aggressive nation.
After the WWII our war history was build on the "driftwood theory", where Finland was seen as passively moving towards fighting alongside with Germany. War history was heavily canonized, where all the darker aspects were swept away from public debate. Although modern historians have revised and debunked this theory, the collective 'group-mind' of our society seems to be heavily depending on blaming Russia for the wars, osit.
Which brings me to the 'Greater Finland' ideology. Greater Finland was based on the thought that eastern territorial regions belonged to Finland by linguistic and ethnic heritage. This expansionistic idea had it's roots in late 19th century karelianism, where Karelian heritage was admired by cultural spheres of Finland (though not many of them visited Karelia themselves, and those who did, found out they were often quite Russian). Most ambitious visions saw Finland expanding in east all the way to Ural Mountains. After the civil war and so called 'Heimosodat' (Kinship Wars) during 1918-22, many nationalistic 'Greater Finland' organizations were created to push forward this agenda, such as AKS (Academic Karelia Society) and IKL (Patriotic People's Movement). Many members were politicians, academics, business men or military personnels.
AKS founder (and member of other fascist groups) and priest Elias Simojoki said at 1938 AKS meeting: "Almost all AKS member hold officer mandate in their pockets. This combat organization's first and most important mission is the militarization of Finnish youth. No victim can be large enough for this goal". AKS had also clandestine inside group called 'Vihan Veljet' (Brothers of Hate), whose main agenda was to spread racist hatred ("russkie-hate") and propaganda in Finland. It was led by Elmo Kaila, chairman of AKS, editor-in-chief and political background figure.
Mannerheim made references to Greater Finland ideology in two of his 'order of the day' declarations, 1918 and 1941. Greater-Finland supporter and foreign minister Eljas Erkko might have undermined the exchange of area negotiations with Soviet Union before Winter War. Future president Paasikivi called Winter War as "Erkko's War", that he was "primarily responsible of the horrible situation where our country now is".
The voluntary military organization White Guard, which had over 100 000 members during 20-30's, was also spreading this attitude. It was openly anti-Russian and was inseparable part of Finnish culture during that time. The White Guard protection corps included also cultural activity such as sports, theater and dancing. Every municipal area had own local protection corps house for these activities. They served as a vehicle to spread nationalism and the "whites" ideology through all the levels of society.
During the time between 1918-1939 Finland served also as an important base for different anti-bolshevik opposition groups and underground paramilitary organizations (mostly by Russian emigrants) to commit terror attacks in Soviet territory, with help of domestic and foreign intelligence agencies. Assassination attempts and bomb-strikes were used among other methods to create counter-revolutionary atmosphere. This went on with varying activity until the Winter War.
These are just few examples, but they give heavy cognitive dissonance for most Finns. Especially today, because according to our mainsteam media, the Russians are coming again.
