Finnish Civil War

The Civil War in Finland was fought from January to May 1918, between the "Reds" (punaiset), i.e. Social Democrats together with Communists, and the "Whites" (valkoiset), i.e. forces commanded by the Conservative Senate that in the preceding autumn had succeeded a National Unity Senate, intending to maintain the status quo (i.e. retain independence and constitutional monarchy without parliamentarism).

Related Topics:
1918 - Social Democrats - Communists - Conservative - Senate - National Unity Senate - Status quo - Independence - Constitutional monarchy - Parliamentarism

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Finns have many names for this conflict: vapaussota (War of Liberty), kansalaissota or sisällissota (Civil War), luokkasota (Class War), punakapina (Red Rebellion), torpparikapina (Crofters' Rebellion), veljessota (the war between brothers). Present-day historians point out that all of these different names have their merits, although their propagandist charges differ.

Related Topics:
Finns - Propagandist

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The Civil War and the Continuation War have been the two most controversial and emotionally loaded events in the history of modern Finland. They are often seen as the hinges or pivots of Finland's fate; and both have had a great influence also on the foreign relations of Finland.

Related Topics:
Continuation War - Finland - Foreign relations of Finland

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