4.3.1 Finland: A chronology of important dates 1900-now
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This article is from the Nordic countries FAQ, by Antti Lahelma and Johan Olofsson, with numerous contributions by others.
4.3.1 Finland: A chronology of important dates 1900-now
1904
The dictatorical general governor and active adherent of
Russification of Finland, Nikolai Bobrikov, is assassinated by
the young clerk Eugen Schauman.
1906
Finnish women receive the right to vote and to run for
parliament. Finland was the first country in Europe (and second
in the world, after New Zealand) to grant women an equal right
to vote in elections. The Finnish diet, which up until now had
been a system of four estates (nobility, clergy, merchantry,
peasantry), becomes a unicameral parliament and a universal
suffrage is declared.
1917
As Russia plunges into the chaos of the October Revolution,
Finland seizes the opportunity and declares independence on the
6th of December.
1918
A civil war erupts between "whites" and "reds", and ends in
"white" victory under the commander . Even though the war is
relatively brief, the casualties rise high because of "red" and
"white" terror, poor conditions at prison camps and random
executions of prisoners. The war leaves bitter marks on the
nation, which are eventually healed in the Winter War of
1939-40, when both sides have to unite forces against a common
enemy.
The civil war increases scepticism towards the effeciency of
democratic institutions, and monarchists in the parliament
succeed (chiefly because the Social Democrats had not been
allowed to partake in the parliament) in turning Finland into a
monarchy, and the German prince Friedrich Karl of Hesse is
invited to become King of Finland. However, as Germany soon
lost the World War I, Friedrich who had delayed answering to
the invitiation refused the crown so Finland never officially
had a king; as a result monarchism in general suffered an
inflation. In 1919 Finland gets a republican constitution, with
a strong position for the president as a concession to the
monarchists.
1920s-30s
Finland prospers after the war and adopts a neutral Nordic
profile in its foreign policy, although with strong German
sympathies. In early 1930's fascism in the Italian fashion
emerges and the so called Lapua-movement attempts a coup d'etat
in 1932, but fails and is banned (ironically, using the laws
the movement was itself most eager to push into force). The IKL
("Patriotic Movement"), an extreme right party, is formed to
continue the legacy of Lapua-movement, but it never gains
significant support and Finnish fascism remains a fringe
phenomenon.
1939-40
Soviet Union attacks Finland. Fierce Finnish resistance
surprises the overwhelming but poorly prepared Soviet troops
and the Winter War lasts for roughly three and a half months,
causing heavy casualties on the Soviet side. Eventually Finland
has to give in and cede Karelia to the USSR, causing some
400,000 people to lose their homes.
1941-44
The Continuation War; Finland attacks the Soviet Union with
Germany, hoping to regain the lost areas, but eventually has to
accept the borders of 1940 and, and also cede Pechenga, lease
Porkkala peninsula as a military base for 50 years (SU returns
it already in 1956) and pay war reparations.
1944-45
The War of Lapland. As a part of the peace treaty, Finland has
to force all German troops to leave Finland. Germans put up a
fight and burn much of Finnish Lapland as they retreat.
1947
Paris peace treaty. Finland assumes a policy of careful
neutrality (e.g declining to receive Marshall aid) and
realpolitik, taking into account Finland's geographical
location next to the USSR. This policy becomes known as the
Paasikivi-Kekkonen line.
1944-48
So called "Years of Danger" ("vaaran vuodet") when a communist
takeover was hanging in the air. Some leading Finnish
communists proclaimed that the "Czechoslovakian model" was to
be Finland's future as well. This ends in the signing of the
Treaty of Friendship, Co-operation and Mutual Assistance ("YYA"
is the Finnish acronym) with the Soviet Union in 1948. In it,
Finland among other things commits itself to defend its
territory against Germany or any other country allied with
Germany that might use Finland as a way to attack Soviet Union.
The treaty guarantees Finland's sovereignty in the years to
follow, but places Finland in between the two blocs of the Cold
War, trying hard to please both sides.
1950's-80's
"Finlandization" era. Finland remains an independent western
European democracy, but falls into exaggerations in keeping the
eastern neighbour pleased. On the other hand, the bilateral
trade arrangements with the Soviet Union are very beneficial to
Finnish economy, which make possible the emergence of Finland
as a rich welfare state.
1952
The Olympic Games held in Helsinki.
1955
Finland joins the United Nations and the Nordic Council.
1960's-70's
A time of intensive urbanization, Finland turns from a
predominantly agrarian state into an urban one almost
"overnight". This results in severe unemployment, and large
numbers of Finns emigrate to Sweden in search of jobs.
1973
Finland signs a free trade treaty with the EEC (a precedent of
the European Union), but remains outside the community.
1975
The first CSCE conference in held in Helsinki. The "spirit of
Helsinki" becomes to epitomize the process of detente between
East and West after the Cold War era.
1987
Finland becomes a full member of EFTA (European Free Trade
Association). A special FINEFTA customs treaty had been in
effect already since 1961.
1989
Finland becomes a member of the European Council.
1994
On 16th of October Finns voted YES (57% vs. 43% NO) to
membership in the European Union; the parliament ratified the
result after a long filibustering campaign by the NO-side.
1995
As of January 1st, Finland became a full member in the EU.
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