The Finnish Perspective: The Second World War

✨Finland's independence was threatened during the First World War and the Finnish Civil War in 1918.

🔥The Winter War (1939-1940) saw Finland resist the Soviet Union's attempt to annex Finnish territory.

🤝Finland formed an alliance with Nazi Germany during the Continuation War (1941-1944) to regain lost territory and resist Soviet aggression.

💔Finland ceded land to the Soviet Union in the peace settlement, but maintained its independence.

🇫🇮The Finnish people showed resilience and unity in the face of adversity during both wars.

What role did Finland play in the First World War?

—Finland declared independence from the Russian Empire during the war and fought a civil war to defend its independence.

How did Finland resist the Soviet Union in the Winter War?

—The Finns utilized guerilla warfare tactics and the harsh winter environment to successfully resist the Soviet invasion.

Why did Finland form an alliance with Nazi Germany?

—Finland saw Germany as a potential ally against Soviet aggression and hoped to regain lost territory through this alliance.

What were the consequences of the Finnish-Soviet peace settlement?

—Finland lost land to the Soviet Union but maintained its independence, albeit with strategic limitations imposed by the Soviets.

How did the Finnish people respond to the challenges of war?

—The Finnish people showed resilience, unity, and determination in defending their independence and rebuilding their nation after the wars.

00:50Finland's struggle for independence during the First World War and the Finnish Civil War.

01:59The Winter War and Finland's resistance against Soviet aggression.

07:24The Continuation War and Finland's alliance with Nazi Germany.

09:25The peace settlement and the consequences for Finland's territorial integrity.

13:40The resilience and unity of the Finnish people in the face of adversity.