Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim

Baron Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim (June 4, 1867 – January 28, 1951) was the reputed Commander-in-Chief of Finland's Defence Forces, Marshal of Finland, an astute politician, a successful military commander and was later President of Finland (1944–1946).

Between the Wars

In the interwar years, his pursuits were mainly humanitarian. He supported the Finnish Red Cross and founded the Mannerheim's Children's Foundation. In 1929 he refused the right-wing radicals' plea to become a de facto military dictator, although he did express some support for the right-wing semi-fascist Lapua Movement. After President Pehr Evind Svinhufvud was elected 1931, he appointed Mannerheim as chairman of Finland's Defence Council. At the same time Mannerheim received the written promise that in the event of a war, he would become the Commander-in-Chief (Svinhufvud's successor Kyösti Kallio renewed this promise in 1937). In 1933 he received the honorary title of Field Marshal (Sotamarsalkka, Fältmarskalk). Mannerheim supported Finland's military industry and sought (in vain) to establish a military defence union with Sweden. However, rearming the Finnish army did not occur as swiftly or as well as he hoped and he was not enthusiastic about a war. He had many disagreements with various Cabinets, and signed numerous letters of resignation.

Related Topics:
Red Cross - Foundation - 1929 - Right-wing - Radicals - Dictator - Fascist - Lapua Movement - Pehr Evind Svinhufvud - 1931 - Kyösti Kallio - 1933 - Field Marshal - Sweden - Cabinet

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