Why did the Russians attack Finland?
Finland believed the Soviet Union wanted to expand into its territory and the Soviet Union feared Finland would allow itself to be used as a base from which enemies could attack. A faked border incident gave the Soviet Union the excuse to invade on 30 November 1939.
Did Russia invade Finland in WW2?
On November 30, 1939, following a series of ultimatums and failed negotiations, the Soviet Red Army launched an invasion of Finland with half a million troops. Though vastly outnumbered and outgunned in what became known as the “Winter War,” the Finns had the advantage of fighting on home turf.
What did Stalin say about Finland?
According to the Russian historian Alexey Komarov, “Stalin thought pragmatically. It was important for him to keep Finland neutral, at least in that historical period… The Soviet leadership wanted to turn Finland into a relatively friendly state, a kind of buffer zone between the USSR and the West.”
Which side was Finland on during ww2?
As part of the Paris Peace Treaty, Finland was classified as an ally of Nazi Germany, bearing its responsibility for the war. The treaty imposed heavy war reparations on Finland and stipulated the lease of the Porkkala area near the Finnish capital Helsinki as a military base for fifty years.
Why did the Soviet Union attack Finland in WW2?
The underlying cause of the Winter War was Soviet concern about Nazi Germany’s expansionism. With a population of only 3.5 million, Finland itself was not a threat to the Soviet Union, but its territory, located strategically near Leningrad, could be used as a base by the Germans.
How did Finland modernize during World War II?
“During the war very little had changed regarding the organization, equipment or tactics of Finnish forces,” according to the book Finland at War: The Continuation and Lapland Wars 1941–45. “Their weaponry had been slightly modernized by employing captured Soviet equipment or by refitting the mostly outdated items bought from the Germans.”
How many Finns could the Soviet Union overcome?
The Soviet Union, with a population of 200 million, should not overcome 3.7 million Finns without breaking a sweat.
How did Finland win World War Two without collaboration?
Though Finland did ally with Hitler, it emerged from the war without the shame of collaboration, partly because it refused Nazi demands to turn over Finnish Jews. Finland lost World War Two, yet by maintaining its independence and identity, it managed to win the peace. Michael Peck is a contributing writer for the National Interest.