The First World War in Eastern and Central Europe was a period of extreme upheaval in which dozens of ideologies and interests, old and new, were in violent collision. Finland was at the heart of this, lying along a strip of land that has been eloquently characterised as the “shatter zone of empires”. Although the Finnish Civil War was truly a civil war, being fought primarily by Finns in Finland, numerous foreign powers had a tremendous influence on the shaping of and the outcome of the Civil War. Why these powers chose to, or felt themselves obligated to, intervene in the Finnish Civil War provides a microcosm of the competing interests and ideologies that were manipulating the world during the First World War.

Although citizens and officials from many countries stood witness to and in some way participated in the Civil War, four great powers and their citizens made a major contribution: The German Empire, Bolshevik Russia, Sweden, and Great Britain. In some cases it was the government’s official policy to intervene, in others private citizens took it upon themselves to become involved in the Civil War. Several of the powers aligned with the Whites or the Reds in the war, others played both sides of the conflict. Foreign influence even led to fractures within the Reds and the Whites themselves, as different factions within each camp welcomed, or mistrusted foreign influence.

Foreign intervention in the Civil War came in a variety of forms, as each power came to grips with Finland’s newfound sovereignty and plunge into civil conflict. This could entail diplomatic recognition and protection, or more tangible support in the form of weapons, financial support, or humanitarian aid. Several thousand foreign combatants also chose to fight in the Civil War, either on their own volition or by order. Each power also influenced the each side ideologically, manipulating the rhetoric the Whites and Reds employed to justify the war. Finnish national identity was also affected, as the empires vied for Finland to fall within their sphere of influence.

For an in depth look into each great power’s involvement in the Civil War, click on the flags below:

             

 

Banner Photo – The Tampere Russian Army garrison photographed with major Red leaders. Credit: Vapriikki Photo Archives.