Candistan
10-11-2006, 04:39
FINLAND
HISTORY
Independence and Civil War-
In the aftermath of the February Revolution in Russia, Finland received a new Senate, a coalition-Cabinet with the same power structure as the Finnish Parliament. Based on the general election in 1916, the Social Democrats had a small majority, and the Social Democrat Oskari Tokoi became Prime Minister. The new Senate was willing to cooperate with the provisional government of Russia, but no agreement was reached. The Finns' view was basically that the personal union with Russia was finished after the Tsar was dethroned – although the Finns had de facto recognized the provisional government as the Tsar's successor by accepting its authority to appoint a new Governor General and Senate. They expected the Tsar's authority to be transferred to Finland's Parliament, which the provisional government of Russia refused, suggesting instead that the question should be settled by the Russian Constituent Assembly. For the Finnish Social Democrats it seemed as though the Russian Bourgeoisie was an obstacle on Finland's road to independence as well as on the Proletariat's road to justice. The non-Socialists in Tokoi's Senate were however more confident. They, and most of the non-Socialists in the Parliament, rejected the Social Democrats' proposal on Parliamentarism (the so-called "Power Act") as being too far-reaching and provocative. The act restricted Russia's influence on domestic Finnish matters, but didn't touch the Russian government's power on matters of defence and foreign affairs. For the Russian Provisional government this was however far too radical. As the Parliament had exceeded its authority, it was dissolved.
The minority of the Parliament, and of the Senate, were content. New elections promised a chance to gain majority, which they were convinced would improve the chances to reach an understanding with Russia. The non-Socialists were also inclined to cooperate with the Russian Provisional government because they feared the Socialists' power would grow, resulting in radical reforms, such as equal suffrage in municipal elections, or a land reform. The majority had, of course, the squarely opposite opinion. They didn't accept the Provisional government's right to dissolve the Parliament.
The Social Democrats held on to the Power Act and opposed the publication of the decree of dissolution of the Parliament, whereas the non-Socialists voted for publishing it. The disagreement over the Power Act led to the Social Democrats leaving the Senate. When the Parliament met again after the summer recess in August 1917, only the groups supporting the Power Act were present. Russian troops took possession of the chamber, the Parliament was dissolved, and new elections were carried out. The result was a (small) bourgeois majority and a purely non-Socialist Senate. The abolishment of the Power Act, and the cooperation between Finnish bourgeois forces and oppressive Russia provoked great bitterness among the Socialists, and dozens of politically motivated terror assaults, including murders
Successful independence-
The October Revolution turned Finnish politics upside down. Now the new non-Socialist majority of the Parliament felt a great urge for total independence, and the Socialists came gradually to view Russia as an example to follow. On November 15, 1917, the Bolsheviks declared a general right of self-determination, including the right of complete secession, "for the Peoples of Russia". On the same day the Finnish Parliament issued a declaration by which it assumed, pro tempore, all powers of the Sovereign in Finland.
Worried by the development in Russia, and Finland, the non-Socialist Senate proposed for the parliament to declare Finland's independence, which was agreed on in the parliament on December 6, 1917. According to the Bolshevists' declared adherence to the principle of self-determination, Finland's independence could be expected to be accepted by Russia's revolutionary government, but almost a month passed before independence was acknowledged by Russia (on January 4, 1918). Germany and the Scandinavian countries followed without delay.
From January to May 1918, Finland experienced the brief but bitter Finnish Civil War that colored domestic politics and the foreign relations of Finland for many years. On the one side there were the "white" civil guards, who fought for the bourgeioisie. On the other side fought the Red Guards, which consisted of workers and tenant farmers. The Finnish Socialist Workers' Republic had been proclaimed. The defeat of the Red Guards was achieved with support from Imperial Germany; and only Germany's defeat in World War I saved Finland from becoming a German satellite state. The neighbor-country Sweden was in the midst of her own process of democratization, with socialists in government for the first time. For many decades, Finns on both sides remained bitter over Sweden's reluctance to become involved in the Civil War.
During the Civil War, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed between the Central Powers and Bolshevist Russia, stating regarding Finland:
Germany and Austria-Hungary propose to determine the future status of these territories in agreement with their population.
Finland and the Åland Islands will immediately be cleared of Russian troops and the Russian Red Guard, and the Finnish ports of the Russian fleet and of the Russian naval forces. So long as the ice prevents the transfer of warships into Russian ports, only limited forces will remain on board the warships. Russia is to put an end to all agitation or propaganda against the Government or the public institutions of Finland.
The fortresses built on the Åland Islands are to be removed as soon as possible. As regards the permanent non-fortification of these islands as well as their further treatment in respect to military technical navigation matters, a special agreement is to be concluded between Germany, Finland, Russia, and Sweden; there exists an understanding to the effect that, upon Germany's desire, still other countries bordering upon the Baltic Sea would be consulted in this matter.
Finland in the inter-war era-
Despite the Declaration of Independence calling Finland a Republic, after the civil war the parliament, cleared of its Social Democrat members, and with a narrow majority voted to establish the Kingdom of Finland. Frederick Charles of Hesse, a German prince, was elected King, putatively with the name Väinö I of Finland, with Pehr Evind Svinhufvud and General Mannerheim serving as Regents. However, Germany's defeat in World War I meant that the idea was abandoned. Finland instead became a republic, with Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg elected as its first President in 1919.
The new republic faced a dispute over the Åland Islands, which were overwhelmingly Swedish-speaking and sought retrocession to Sweden. However, as Finland was not willing to cede the islands, they were offered an autonomous status. Nevertheless, the residents did not approve the offer, and the dispute over the islands was submitted to the League of Nations. The League decided that Finland should retain sovereignty over the Åland Islands, but they should be made an autonomous province. Thus Finland was under an obligation to ensure the residents of the Åland Islands a right to maintain the Swedish language, as well as their own culture and local traditions. At the same time, an international treaty was concluded on the neutral status of Åland, under which it was prohibited to place military headquarters or forces on the islands.
Directly after the Civil War there were many incidents along the border between Finland and Soviet Russia, such as the Aunus expedition and the Pork mutiny. Relations with the Soviets were improved after the Treaty of Tartu in 1920, in which Finland gained Petsamo, but gave up claims on East Karelia.
Nationalist sentiment remaining from the Civil War developed into the proto-Fascist Lapua Movement in 1929. Initially the movement gained widespread support among anti-Communist Finns, but following a failed coup attempt in 1932 it was banned and its leaders imprisoned.
The Soviet Union started to tighten its policy against Finland in 1930's, limiting the navigation of Finnish merchant ships between Lake Ladoga and the Gulf of Finland and blocking it totally in 1937.
BASICALLY...FINLAND AND RUSSIA HATE EACH OTHER lol
Head of state: Kyösti Kallio
Head of Armed Forces (Pretty much has influence on everything the government does): Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim, Baron, Field Marshal
Military:
Army:
Generals (Only the Seven Major Ones):
Marshals:
MV Suomen marsalkka Carl Gustaf Emil MANNERHEIM
Full Generals:
MV Jalkaväenkenraali Paul Martin WETZER
MV Jalkaväenkenraali Karl Fredrik WILKAMA
MV Ratsuväenkenraali Ernst LINDER
MV Jalkaväenkenraali Axel Erik HEINRICHS
MV tykistönkenraali Vilho Petter NENONEN
MV Jalkaväenkenraali Karl Rudolf WALDEN
Army Groups:
Isthmus Group
Maaselkä Group
Oinonen Group
Olonets Group
Infantry: 11 Divisions
Total: 11 Divisions
Totak Manpower: 156,200 men
Air Force:
General: IV Kenraaliluutnantti Jarl Frithiof LUNDQVIST
Aircraft of the FAF:
Fokker D.XXI
Regiments (Lentorykmentti):
1. Regiment
2. Regiment
3. Regiment
4. Regiment
5. Regiment
Navy:
Admirals:
Eversti Pekka Enkainen
Kenraalimajuri Iisakki Järvinen
Divisions:
1. Rannikkodivisioona
Ships:
Gunboats:
Väinämöinen
Ilmarinen
Uusimaa
Hämeenmaa
Patrol Boats:
Turunmaa
Karjala
Motor torpedo boats:
MTV 1, Sisu
MTV 2, Hurja
MTV 3, Isku
MTV 4, Syöksy
MTV 5, Nuoli
MTV 6, Vinha
MTV 7, Raju
VTV 1
Vasama
Vihuri
Viima
V-3
H-Class:
H 1, Hyöky
H 2, Hirmu
H 3, Hurja
H 4, Hyrsky
H 5, Häijy
J-Class:
J 1, Jylhä
J 2, Jyry
J 3, Jyske
J 4, Jymy
T-Class:
T 1, Tarmo
T 2, Taisto
T 3, Tyrsky
T 4, Tuima
T 5, Tuisku
T 6, Tuuli
VMV Patrol Boats:
VMV-1
VMV-2
VMV-5
VMV-6
VMV-8
VMV-17
Total: One Coast Division
HISTORY
Independence and Civil War-
In the aftermath of the February Revolution in Russia, Finland received a new Senate, a coalition-Cabinet with the same power structure as the Finnish Parliament. Based on the general election in 1916, the Social Democrats had a small majority, and the Social Democrat Oskari Tokoi became Prime Minister. The new Senate was willing to cooperate with the provisional government of Russia, but no agreement was reached. The Finns' view was basically that the personal union with Russia was finished after the Tsar was dethroned – although the Finns had de facto recognized the provisional government as the Tsar's successor by accepting its authority to appoint a new Governor General and Senate. They expected the Tsar's authority to be transferred to Finland's Parliament, which the provisional government of Russia refused, suggesting instead that the question should be settled by the Russian Constituent Assembly. For the Finnish Social Democrats it seemed as though the Russian Bourgeoisie was an obstacle on Finland's road to independence as well as on the Proletariat's road to justice. The non-Socialists in Tokoi's Senate were however more confident. They, and most of the non-Socialists in the Parliament, rejected the Social Democrats' proposal on Parliamentarism (the so-called "Power Act") as being too far-reaching and provocative. The act restricted Russia's influence on domestic Finnish matters, but didn't touch the Russian government's power on matters of defence and foreign affairs. For the Russian Provisional government this was however far too radical. As the Parliament had exceeded its authority, it was dissolved.
The minority of the Parliament, and of the Senate, were content. New elections promised a chance to gain majority, which they were convinced would improve the chances to reach an understanding with Russia. The non-Socialists were also inclined to cooperate with the Russian Provisional government because they feared the Socialists' power would grow, resulting in radical reforms, such as equal suffrage in municipal elections, or a land reform. The majority had, of course, the squarely opposite opinion. They didn't accept the Provisional government's right to dissolve the Parliament.
The Social Democrats held on to the Power Act and opposed the publication of the decree of dissolution of the Parliament, whereas the non-Socialists voted for publishing it. The disagreement over the Power Act led to the Social Democrats leaving the Senate. When the Parliament met again after the summer recess in August 1917, only the groups supporting the Power Act were present. Russian troops took possession of the chamber, the Parliament was dissolved, and new elections were carried out. The result was a (small) bourgeois majority and a purely non-Socialist Senate. The abolishment of the Power Act, and the cooperation between Finnish bourgeois forces and oppressive Russia provoked great bitterness among the Socialists, and dozens of politically motivated terror assaults, including murders
Successful independence-
The October Revolution turned Finnish politics upside down. Now the new non-Socialist majority of the Parliament felt a great urge for total independence, and the Socialists came gradually to view Russia as an example to follow. On November 15, 1917, the Bolsheviks declared a general right of self-determination, including the right of complete secession, "for the Peoples of Russia". On the same day the Finnish Parliament issued a declaration by which it assumed, pro tempore, all powers of the Sovereign in Finland.
Worried by the development in Russia, and Finland, the non-Socialist Senate proposed for the parliament to declare Finland's independence, which was agreed on in the parliament on December 6, 1917. According to the Bolshevists' declared adherence to the principle of self-determination, Finland's independence could be expected to be accepted by Russia's revolutionary government, but almost a month passed before independence was acknowledged by Russia (on January 4, 1918). Germany and the Scandinavian countries followed without delay.
From January to May 1918, Finland experienced the brief but bitter Finnish Civil War that colored domestic politics and the foreign relations of Finland for many years. On the one side there were the "white" civil guards, who fought for the bourgeioisie. On the other side fought the Red Guards, which consisted of workers and tenant farmers. The Finnish Socialist Workers' Republic had been proclaimed. The defeat of the Red Guards was achieved with support from Imperial Germany; and only Germany's defeat in World War I saved Finland from becoming a German satellite state. The neighbor-country Sweden was in the midst of her own process of democratization, with socialists in government for the first time. For many decades, Finns on both sides remained bitter over Sweden's reluctance to become involved in the Civil War.
During the Civil War, the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed between the Central Powers and Bolshevist Russia, stating regarding Finland:
Germany and Austria-Hungary propose to determine the future status of these territories in agreement with their population.
Finland and the Åland Islands will immediately be cleared of Russian troops and the Russian Red Guard, and the Finnish ports of the Russian fleet and of the Russian naval forces. So long as the ice prevents the transfer of warships into Russian ports, only limited forces will remain on board the warships. Russia is to put an end to all agitation or propaganda against the Government or the public institutions of Finland.
The fortresses built on the Åland Islands are to be removed as soon as possible. As regards the permanent non-fortification of these islands as well as their further treatment in respect to military technical navigation matters, a special agreement is to be concluded between Germany, Finland, Russia, and Sweden; there exists an understanding to the effect that, upon Germany's desire, still other countries bordering upon the Baltic Sea would be consulted in this matter.
Finland in the inter-war era-
Despite the Declaration of Independence calling Finland a Republic, after the civil war the parliament, cleared of its Social Democrat members, and with a narrow majority voted to establish the Kingdom of Finland. Frederick Charles of Hesse, a German prince, was elected King, putatively with the name Väinö I of Finland, with Pehr Evind Svinhufvud and General Mannerheim serving as Regents. However, Germany's defeat in World War I meant that the idea was abandoned. Finland instead became a republic, with Kaarlo Juho Ståhlberg elected as its first President in 1919.
The new republic faced a dispute over the Åland Islands, which were overwhelmingly Swedish-speaking and sought retrocession to Sweden. However, as Finland was not willing to cede the islands, they were offered an autonomous status. Nevertheless, the residents did not approve the offer, and the dispute over the islands was submitted to the League of Nations. The League decided that Finland should retain sovereignty over the Åland Islands, but they should be made an autonomous province. Thus Finland was under an obligation to ensure the residents of the Åland Islands a right to maintain the Swedish language, as well as their own culture and local traditions. At the same time, an international treaty was concluded on the neutral status of Åland, under which it was prohibited to place military headquarters or forces on the islands.
Directly after the Civil War there were many incidents along the border between Finland and Soviet Russia, such as the Aunus expedition and the Pork mutiny. Relations with the Soviets were improved after the Treaty of Tartu in 1920, in which Finland gained Petsamo, but gave up claims on East Karelia.
Nationalist sentiment remaining from the Civil War developed into the proto-Fascist Lapua Movement in 1929. Initially the movement gained widespread support among anti-Communist Finns, but following a failed coup attempt in 1932 it was banned and its leaders imprisoned.
The Soviet Union started to tighten its policy against Finland in 1930's, limiting the navigation of Finnish merchant ships between Lake Ladoga and the Gulf of Finland and blocking it totally in 1937.
BASICALLY...FINLAND AND RUSSIA HATE EACH OTHER lol
Head of state: Kyösti Kallio
Head of Armed Forces (Pretty much has influence on everything the government does): Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim, Baron, Field Marshal
Military:
Army:
Generals (Only the Seven Major Ones):
Marshals:
MV Suomen marsalkka Carl Gustaf Emil MANNERHEIM
Full Generals:
MV Jalkaväenkenraali Paul Martin WETZER
MV Jalkaväenkenraali Karl Fredrik WILKAMA
MV Ratsuväenkenraali Ernst LINDER
MV Jalkaväenkenraali Axel Erik HEINRICHS
MV tykistönkenraali Vilho Petter NENONEN
MV Jalkaväenkenraali Karl Rudolf WALDEN
Army Groups:
Isthmus Group
Maaselkä Group
Oinonen Group
Olonets Group
Infantry: 11 Divisions
Total: 11 Divisions
Totak Manpower: 156,200 men
Air Force:
General: IV Kenraaliluutnantti Jarl Frithiof LUNDQVIST
Aircraft of the FAF:
Fokker D.XXI
Regiments (Lentorykmentti):
1. Regiment
2. Regiment
3. Regiment
4. Regiment
5. Regiment
Navy:
Admirals:
Eversti Pekka Enkainen
Kenraalimajuri Iisakki Järvinen
Divisions:
1. Rannikkodivisioona
Ships:
Gunboats:
Väinämöinen
Ilmarinen
Uusimaa
Hämeenmaa
Patrol Boats:
Turunmaa
Karjala
Motor torpedo boats:
MTV 1, Sisu
MTV 2, Hurja
MTV 3, Isku
MTV 4, Syöksy
MTV 5, Nuoli
MTV 6, Vinha
MTV 7, Raju
VTV 1
Vasama
Vihuri
Viima
V-3
H-Class:
H 1, Hyöky
H 2, Hirmu
H 3, Hurja
H 4, Hyrsky
H 5, Häijy
J-Class:
J 1, Jylhä
J 2, Jyry
J 3, Jyske
J 4, Jymy
T-Class:
T 1, Tarmo
T 2, Taisto
T 3, Tyrsky
T 4, Tuima
T 5, Tuisku
T 6, Tuuli
VMV Patrol Boats:
VMV-1
VMV-2
VMV-5
VMV-6
VMV-8
VMV-17
Total: One Coast Division