The Causes of Soviet.docx

Surname 1 The Causes of Soviet/Finland War in 1939-1940 Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Professor’s Name Course Date

Surname 2 The Causes of the Soviet/Finland War in 1939-1940 The Soviet-Finland War is sometimes referred to as the winter war. The Soviet Union and Finland fought the war between November 1939 and March 1940 1 . By considering the historical context of the winter war, one can gain a broader understanding of various factors that contributed to this war. Russia colonized Finland until the 1917 Russian Revolution, which led to Finland’s independence in December 1917. After proclaiming its independence from Russia, Finland had its own government, which used a parliamentary system. However, Finland and the Soviet Union continued to face difficulties due to Finland’s proximity to the Soviet Union and strategic importance. These problems were the primary cause of the Soviet-Finland war in 1939- 1940. This essay aims to examine the underlying causes that led to this conflict, highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics and historical factors that shaped the events of that period. The primary cause for the Soviet-Finland war was Soviet Union’s security issues and desire to have territorial security. The Soviet Union considered Finland a potential threat due to Finland's proximity to the Soviet border, which created a possible strategic vulnerability. In order to create a buffer zone, the Soviet leadership resorted to purchasing territories in Finland. Another cause for this war was Finland's independence and democratic ideals. The Soviet Union viewed Finland’s independence and democratic ideals suspiciously with the fear of the spread of Western-style democracy and its potential influence on the Soviet population 2 . In order to prevent that from happening, the Soviet leadership sought to exert control over Finland to prevent any influence that might undermine the Soviet regime. 1 Manninen, Ohto. "The winter war in global perspective." 2 Trotter, William R. A frozen hell: the Russo-Finnish winter war of 1939-1940.

Surname 3 Territorial Disputes and Soviet Expansionism was also significant cause of the Soviet- Finland war. Tensions were further aggravated by territorial disputes between Finland and the Soviet Union. The Karelian Isthmus was under Soviet authority, and Finland was required to lease naval sites off its coast as well as other territorial concessions. The Soviet Union's previous annexation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania proves that the Soviet leadership wanted to exert more influence and authority over the surrounding nations. Another cause of the Soviet-Finland war was the failed negotiations and diplomatic deadlocks. The Soviet Union and Finland engaged in diplomatic consultations but could not address the fundamental problems, resulting in a diplomatic impasse 3 . The Soviet Union viewed Finland's offerings as inadequate and exploited the standstill as justification for armed action. The diplomatic failure further increased the likelihood of violent war. Lastly, the Soviet-Finland war was caused by the global political landscape during that time. Stalin, the Soviet Union leader at that time, desired to have supremacy in Eastern Europe. As a result, he imposed sovereignty in the Baltic area. The Soviet Union’s aggression under the leadership of Stalin conflicted with the international community. Some nations silently opposed this aggression, while others raised their concerns and warned the Soviet Union about the same. In conclusion, there were many different factors that led to the Soviet-Finland War. The security concerns of the Soviet Union, Finland's independence and democratic values, geographical disputes, fruitless discussions, and global political dynamics all contributed to the conflict's escalation. The war had far-reaching effects, and Finland's resistance and the attention it attracted served as a monument to the calm spirit of a tiny country against a strong foe. The 3 Al-sheweli, Zaydan Hassan Hawi. "Russo-Finnish Winter War 1939-1940."

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Surname 4 Winter War is a constant reminder of the intricate geopolitical processes and antecedents that influence hostilities and pacts in the global arena.

Surname 5 Bibliography Al-sheweli, Zaydan Hassan Hawi. "Russo-Finnish Winter War 1939-1940." ةيرصنتسملا بادآ ةلجم 75 ) 2016 :( 1 - 25 . Manninen, Ohto. "The winter war in global perspective." The RUSI Journal 148, no. 2 (2003): 78-83. Trotter, William R. A frozen hell: the Russo-Finnish winter war of 1939-1940. Algonquin Books, 2000.