Finnish War of Independence
The Finnish War of Independence (1917-1918) was a conflict that arose following Finland's declaration of independence from Russia on December 6, 1917, amid the turmoil of World War I and the Russian Revolution. The war was primarily fought between the White Finns, who sought to establish a non-socialist government, and the Red Finns, who aimed to create a socialist state with support from Bolshevik Russia. Key military leader Baron Carl Gustaf Mannerheim led the White forces against the Red elements, achieving significant victories, including the capture of the important city of Tampere in April 1918.
German involvement also played a crucial role, as they aimed to prevent Bolshevik influence in Finland and secured control of Helsinki by April 18, 1918. The conflict concluded with the surrender of Red forces, leading to the establishment of an independent Finnish state. The Treaty of Dorpat, signed in October 1920, formalized Finland's independence and delineated its borders, allowing it access to the Arctic Ocean. The war was significant not only for Finland's national identity but also for the complex dynamics of regional power and ideology during a time of great upheaval in Europe.
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Finnish War of Independence
At issue: Finland’s desire for independence from Bolshevik Russia
Date: December 6, 1917-October 14, 1920
Location: Southern Finland
Combatants: Independent (White) Finns and Germans vs. Red Finns and Russians
Principal commanders:White Finns, Baron Carl Gustaf Mannerheim (1867–1951); Germans, General Kolmar von der Goltz (1843–1916); Red Finns and Russians, Eero Haapalainen
Principal battles: Tampere, Hangö, Helsinki, Vyborg
Result: Finland gained its independence
Background
Czarist Russia had wrested Finland from Swedish control in 1808, and for more than a century, Finland was dominated by its larger neighbor to the east. The disastrous effects of World War I (1914–1918), however, crippled the Romanov regime, helping lead to its downfall in February, 1917. After the Bolshevik Revolution (1917–1921) had erupted in Russia in October, 1917, Finland declared its independence (December 6). Subsequently, Red Finns, supported by Russian Bolsheviks, staged a coup d’état in Helsinki (January 28, 1918), proclaiming Finland a Socialist Workers’ Republic. The White Finnish government, which had escaped to the coastal city of Vasa, appointed Baron Carl Gustaf Mannerheim, a former Russian cavalry officer, to lead troops against the Reds and Bolshevik Russians. Imperial Germany, interested in forcing Bolshevik Russia out of World War I, was also attentive to developments in Finland.
Action
With a makeshift army, Mannerheim subdued Red elements in Vasa, then struck southward to surround the industrial city of Tampere, a key railway center. The besieged city held out until April 3, 1918, when combined White artillery barrages and infantry attacks forced the Tampere garrison to surrender. More than 10,000 Red prisoners were taken. Although he endeavored to continue his advance, Mannerheim’s overextended force was finally stopped on March 16 as Red resistance stiffened.
While Tampere was toppling to Mannerheim, a German army of 10,000 troops under General Kolmar von der Goltz landed near Hangö (April 3). The Germans hoped to use military force to ensure Finland’s break from Bolshevik Russia and to prevent it from being used by Allied interventionists attempting to force Russia to remain in the war. Hangö’s garrison, commanded by Eero Haapalainen, quickly fell to the German attack. Goltz advanced toward Helsinki, capturing the capital on April 18 and causing the Red government to flee to Vyborg. With Red-held Finland cut in two, Red detachments in western Finland were forced to evacuate Turku and retreat toward the Russian frontier. At Lahti, a second German force barred the Red escape route. Pinned between Mannerheim and Goltz, more than 20,000 Reds and Russian Bolsheviks surrendered. A final attempt by Russian forces to break out near Vyborg (April 29) resulted in heavy fighting, with nearly 12,000 Reds taken prisoner. Although skirmishing continued, organized Red resistance had been broken. On May 16, 1918, Mannerheim entered Helsinki in triumph. By September, most of Goltz’s command had returned to Germany.
Aftermath
The Treaty of Dorpat (October 14, 1920) secured Finland’s independence. The treaty also allowed eastern Karelia to remain in Russian hands, but provided Finland with access to the Arctic Ocean at Petsamo. Germany’s immediate interests in Finland ended with the armistice that ended World War I, November 11, 1918.
Bibliography
Hannula, J. O. Finland’s War of Independence. London: Faber & Faber, 1939.
Jägerskiöld, Stig. Mannerheim: Marshal of Finland. London: C. Hurst, 1986.
Mannerheim, Carl Gustav Emil von. The Memoirs of Marshal Mannerheim. New York: E. P. Dutton, 1954.
Screen, J. E. O. Mannerheim: The Finnish Years. London: C. Hurst, 2000.
Soderhjelm, Henning. The Red Insurrection in Finland in 1918. Westport, Conn.: Hyperion Press, 1976.
Upton, Anthony. The Finnish Revolution, 1917–1918. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1980.
Warner, Oliver. Marshal Mannerheim and the Finns. London: Weidenfield & Nicolson, 1967.