1940 Finnish Refugees

British Newsreel. March 28, 1940.In the Moscow Peace Treaty of March 12, 1940, Finland was forced to cede the Finnish part of Karelia. The land included the city of Viipuri (the country's second largest), much of Finland's industrialized territory, and significant parts still held by Finland's army: over 10% of pre-war Finland. Some 422,000 Karelians—12% of Finland's population—lost their homes. Military troops and remaining civilians were hastily evacuated; only a few score civilians chose to remain under Soviet governance.Finland also had to cede a part of the Salla area, the Kalastajansaarento peninsula in the Barents Sea and four islands in the Gulf of Finland. The Hanko Peninsula was also leased to the Soviet Union as a military base for 30 years. While the Soviet troops had captured Petsamo during the war, they returned it to Finland according to the treaty.As a whole, the peace terms were harsh for Finland. Russia received the city of Viipuri, in addition to their pre-war demands. Sympathy from the League of Nations, Western Allies, and from the Swedes in particular, did not prove to be of much help.Little more than one year later, hostilities resumed with the Continuation War and a new chapter in the history of Finland began.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Winter
• War
• Finland
• USSR
• Karelia
• Peace
• Moscow
• Treaty
• Refugees
• Viipuri
• Hango

[spaltcha]

Thanks to Finnland and the winter war in 1939,scandinavia is not russian terrytory.

[karhu1913]

"Who knows what the russians will call Viipuri now that they got it"... :,( Tear for my lost roots in Karelia

[tyskbulle]

The danm finns fought more efficiently and bravely that anyone coud have imagined. Scandinavia Is grateful.

[juhatoni]

hyvä suomi :D finland rules!