Winter War
Background
The Winter War was a military conflict between the Soviet Union and Finland. It began with a Soviet invasion of Finland on November 30, 1939, and ended with the Moscow Peace Treaty on March 13, 1940. The League of Nations deemed the attack illegal and expelled the Soviet Union from the League on December 14, 1939.
Prelude to the War
The Winter War can be traced back to the aftermath of the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Finnish Declaration of Independence from Russia in 1917 was approved by the Bolshevik government of Russia, however, the relationship between the two countries remained tense. The 1930s saw the rise of the Stalin regime, which sought to secure the Soviet Union's western border by demanding territory from Finland. These demands were rejected by Finland, leading to the Soviet Union's decision to launch a military campaign.
The War
The Soviet Union had a significant advantage in terms of manpower and military equipment. However, the Finnish forces, under the command of Mannerheim, managed to resist the Soviet advance for more than two months. The Finns used the terrain to their advantage, conducting a defensive war in the dense forests and using tactics such as the Motti tactic to isolate and destroy Soviet units.
Aftermath and Impact
The Winter War ended with the Moscow Peace Treaty, which resulted in Finland ceding 11% of its pre-war territory and 30% of its economic assets to the Soviet Union. Despite this, the war had a significant impact on the international reputation of the Soviet Union, and it is considered a significant factor in the low initial trust between the Soviet Union and the other Allies during World War II.
Legacy
The Winter War remains a significant event in Finnish history. It is seen as a symbol of national unity and resistance, and it had a major impact on Finnish military doctrine. The war also had a significant influence on the development of Soviet military doctrine.