Pehr Evind Svinhufvud

Pehr Evind Svinhufvud af Qvalstad (December 15, 1861 – February 29, 1944) was the President of Finland from 1931 to 1937. Serving as a judge in the Russian Grand Duchy of Finland, he played a major part in the movement for Finnish independence. He was the first pre-presidential Head of State in independent Finland, first as Chairman of the Senate, and then subsequently as Protector of State or Regent. He also served as Prime Minister 1930-1931.

Independence and the Civil War

Svinhufvud lead the Senate that declared Finland's independence on December 61917. He also personally went to Saint Petersburg to meet Lenin, who somewhat hesitatingly gave his official recognition of Finnish independence. Svinhufvud's Senate also authorized General Mannerheim to form a new Finnish army on the basis on White Guard, the (chiefly Rightist) volunteer militia called the Suojeluskunta, thereby igniting the Civil War in Finland.

Related Topics:
Declared Finland's independence - December 6 - 1917 - Saint Petersburg - Lenin - General Mannerheim - White Guard - Rightist - Militia - Civil War in Finland

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During the Civil War, Svinhufvud went underground in Helsinki and sent pleas for intervention to Germany and Sweden. The conflict also turned him into an active monarchist, though not a royalist. In March 1918 he managed to escape via Berlin-Stockholm to the Senate, now located in Vaasa, where he resumed his function as Head of Government. In this role he pardoned 36,000 Red prisoners in the autumn of 1918.

Related Topics:
Monarchist - Royalist - 1918 - Berlin - Stockholm - Vaasa - Head of Government

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After Germany's defeat in World War I, and the failed attempt to make Finland a Monarchy under the King of Finland (Frederick Charles of Hesse was elected), Svinhufvud withdrew from public life and was active only in the Rightist Suojeluskunta-militia.

Related Topics:
World War I - King of Finland - Frederick Charles of Hesse

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