Why did the USSR want Finland?

There was mistrust between the two countries. Finland believed the Soviet Union wanted to expand into its territory and the Soviet Union feared Finland would allow itself to be used as a base from which enemies could attack.

Was Finland ever part of USSR?

In August 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union agreed that Finland belonged in the Soviet Union’s sphere of influence. During World War II, Finland fought on two occasions against the Soviet Union on the German side. Finland lost both wars, but the Soviet Union never occupied Finland.

When did Russia annex Finland?

Russia captured the region of Finland from Sweden in 1808–1809. The Emperor of Russia, Alexander I gave Finland the status of a Grand Duchy. Most of the laws from the time of the Swedish rule remained in force. During the Russian rule, Finland became a special region developed by order of the Emperor.

Why did Finland cede Karelia to the Soviet Union?

As a result of the treaty signed at the end of the Winter War, Finland had to cede parts of Karelia, Salla, and Kuusamo provinces to the Soviet Union, as well as islands in the Gulf of Finland. The total area, some 40,000 square kilometers, was three times larger than the areas captured by the Soviet Union during the Winter War itself.

Why did the Soviet Union invade Finland in 1939?

The Finnish government’s refusal to cede any territory, inspired in part by its hope of receiving allied support, precipitated a Soviet invasion of Finland on November 30, 1939.

Why is Karelia a taboo subject in Finland?

Finland: Soviet Annexation Of Karelia Still A Taboo Subject. Russia won Finland from Sweden in the war of 1808-09. Finland was granted the status of an autonomous grand duchy, with its own government and parliament. In 1812, western Karelia — or “Old Finland,” as it was called then — was joined to the rest of Finland.

When didfinland fall into the Soviet sphere?

Finland fell into the Soviet sphere. On 1 September 1939, Germany began its invasion of Poland and two days later Great Britain and France declared war on Germany. On 17 September, the Soviet Union invaded Eastern Poland.