Winter War: A History from Beginning to End

The Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union was a match-up between a mighty, powerful, aggressive nation and its smaller and weaker neighbor. Throughout its history, Finland had learned that in order to survive as a nation, it was obliged to dodge, when possible, the threat of neighboring countries that possessed more people, resources, and ambition than the small country locked in between. As a predatory threat to its borders, the Winter War was nothing new to Finnish security; what was new, however, was that Finland did not immediately capitulate to the massive Soviet force.

Lasting 105 days, the fighting saw the Finns mount an unexpectedly vigorous defense against the Soviets in a contest that the Russians had confidently believed would be over in a couple of weeks. The Finns, fighting without significant help from either Scandinavian or European sources, used their country’s rugged terrain and brutal winter weather to severely test the unprepared Soviets.

In the end, their valiant effort was no match for the overwhelming advantages that the Soviets enjoyed in equipment and troops, and the Finns had no choice but to accept the Soviet terms before a peace agreement was signed. Wary of Russian aggression and determined to find a protector, the Finns would turn to Germany as an ally, a decision which seemed wise in 1940, given the ease with which Germany had conquered Poland.