Introduction
The Winter War, fought between Finland and the Soviet Union from November 30, 1939 to March 13, 1940, had a profound impact on the map of Finland. In this article, we will explore the changes that took place on the Finnish map before and after the Winter War, and the reasons behind those changes.
The Map of Finland Before the Winter War
Before the Winter War, Finland was a country with an area of 338,145 square kilometers, located in Northern Europe. Its borders were established by the Treaty of Tartu, which was signed between Finland and Soviet Russia on October 14, 1920. The treaty recognized Finland’s independence and established its borders. Finland had a long border with the Soviet Union, which was 1,300 kilometers long.
Reasons Behind the Winter War
The Soviet Union had been eyeing Finland’s territory for a long time, as it wanted to secure its borders and establish a buffer zone between itself and the West. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, signed between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany on August 23, 1939, gave the Soviet Union a free hand in dealing with Finland. The Winter War started when the Soviet Union demanded that Finland cede some of its territory to the Soviet Union.
The Map of Finland After the Winter War
After the Winter War, Finland lost a significant part of its territory to the Soviet Union. The Moscow Peace Treaty, signed on March 13, 1940, forced Finland to cede the Karelian Isthmus, including the city of Viipuri, and other territories in the east. The total area ceded to the Soviet Union was 61,000 square kilometers, which was about 18% of Finland’s pre-war territory.
Consequences of the Winter War
The Winter War had far-reaching consequences for Finland. The loss of territory was a huge blow to the Finnish economy and society. The Karelian Isthmus, which was the most industrialized and densely populated part of Finland, was lost to the Soviet Union. The war also had a psychological impact on the Finnish people, who felt betrayed by the West, as they had expected more support from their allies.
Question & Answer
Q: What was the area of Finland before the Winter War?
A: The area of Finland before the Winter War was 338,145 square kilometers.
Q: What was the reason behind the Winter War?
A: The Soviet Union wanted to secure its borders and establish a buffer zone between itself and the West. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact gave the Soviet Union a free hand in dealing with Finland.
Q: How much territory did Finland lose after the Winter War?
A: Finland lost 61,000 square kilometers of territory to the Soviet Union, which was about 18% of its pre-war territory.
Conclusion
The Winter War had a profound impact on the map of Finland. The loss of territory was a huge blow to the Finnish economy and society. The war also had a psychological impact on the Finnish people. However, Finland managed to rebuild itself after the war and became a prosperous and independent country.
