Oral Presentation on the Finland-Russia/USSR Conflict PDF

Oral Presentation on the Finland- Russia/USSR Con ict Part 1: Geography The Finland-Russia/USSR con ict primarily revolved around the geographical regions of Karelia and the Karelian Isthmus, areas of signi cant strategic and cultural importance. Th...

Oral Presentation on the Finland- Russia/USSR Con ict Part 1: Geography The Finland-Russia/USSR con ict primarily revolved around the geographical regions of Karelia and the Karelian Isthmus, areas of signi cant strategic and cultural importance. These territories are located along Finland’s eastern border, directly adjacent to Russia. Historically, the region of Karelia has been a contested area due to its ethnic Finnish population and strategic signi cance, particularly its proximity to Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). The rugged terrain and dense forests of this region provided natural defenses and in uenced military strategies during the various con icts. The geographical signi cance of these areas made them focal points in the ongoing struggle between Finland and Russia/USSR, in uencing the decisions and outcomes of the con ict. Part 2: History The con ict between Finland and Russia/USSR began in 1918, shortly after Finland declared independence from Russia following the Bolshevik Revolution. Initially, Finland supported White Russian forces against the Bolsheviks and attempted to liberate Eastern Karelia, a predominantly ethnic Finnish area. However, these e orts were thwarted, and Finland was forced to abandon its claims in the 1920 Treaty of Tartu. The con ict reignited in 1939 with the Winter War, when the Soviet Union invaded Finland, resulting in signi cant territorial concessions by Finland in the 1940 Moscow Peace Treaty. The Continuation War (1941-1944) saw Finland aligning with Nazi Germany against the USSR, which led to further losses and the harsh terms of the 1944 Moscow Armistice. Despite these con icts, Finland managed to maintain its independence and later transformed its relationship with the USSR through the 1948 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance (FCMA), marking the end of hostilities. Part 3: Politics Politically, the Finland-Russia/USSR con ict involved strategic decisions by key leaders on both sides. In Finland, gures such as General Carl Gustaf Mannerheim, who led Finnish forces during the Winter and Continuation Wars, and Presidents Juho Kusti Paasikivi and Urho Kekkonen, played crucial roles in navigating the country's foreign policy and relations with the USSR. Finland’s political strategy evolved from outright resistance to accommodation and neutrality, encapsulated in the Paasikivi-Kekkonen line, which emphasized friendly relations and non- alignment with Western powers. On the Soviet side, leaders like Lenin, Stalin, and later Khrushchev directed the USSR’s policies towards Finland, ranging from military aggression to diplomatic agreements. The shift from con ict to cooperation was formalized in the 1948 FCMA treaty, which assured Finland’s neutrality and secured its independence while aligning it economically and politically closer to the USSR. Part 4: Facts 1. Duration: The con ict spanned from 1918 to 1961, with major hostilities occurring during the Winter War (1939-1940) and the Continuation War (1941-1944). 2. Key Figures: Key leaders included Finland’s Carl Gustaf Mannerheim, Juho Kusti Paasikivi, and Urho Kekkonen, and Soviet leaders like Lenin, Stalin, and Khrushchev. 3. Interventions: Major external in uences included Germany during the Continuation War and the broader geopolitical context of WWII. 4. Key Events: - 1918: Finland’s initial independence and support for White Russians. - 1920: Treaty of Tartu, Finland renounces claims to Eastern Karelia. - 1939-1940: Winter War, resulting in the Moscow Peace Treaty. - 1941-1944: Continuation War, leading to the 1944 Moscow Armistice. fl fl fl fi fl fl fl fi fl ff fi fl fl fl fl fi fl fl fi  - 1948: FCMA Treaty, establishing a peaceful, cooperative relationship. 5. Resolution: The con ict e ectively ended with the FCMA treaty in 1948 and was further solidi ed by Finland’s adherence to its terms during subsequent crises, such as the 1961 Note Crisis. 6. Impact: The con ict resulted in territorial losses for Finland, signi cant military and civilian casualties, and ultimately a shift in Finnish foreign policy towards neutrality and cooperation with the USSR. Conclusion: The Finland-Russia/USSR con ict began with territorial and ideological disputes following Finland’s independence, continued through intense military engagements during the Winter and Continuation Wars, and ultimately stopped with the transformation of relations through diplomatic treaties and mutual accommodation. The geographical signi cance of contested regions, the historical context of shifting alliances and con icts, and the strategic political decisions on both sides shaped the trajectory and resolution of this protracted con ict. The peaceful resolution marked by the FCMA treaty exempli es how strategic diplomacy and recognition of geopolitical realities can transform adversarial relations into a stable and cooperative partnership. fi fl fl ff fl fi fl fi fl fi