Itsenäistymisajat

Itsenäistymisajat is a Finnish term that translates to "times of independence" or "periods of independence." It generally refers to the historical periods when Finland has existed as a sovereign nation.

The most significant and widely recognized itsenäistymisajat began on December 6, 1917, when Finland declared its independence from the Russian Empire following the February Revolution and subsequent October Revolution in Russia. This period of independence, however, was immediately followed by internal conflict known as the Finnish Civil War. Despite this difficult start, Finland established itself as a republic.

This first period of independence lasted until the end of World War II, culminating in the Moscow Armistice of 1944 and the Paris Peace Treaties of 1947. While Finland maintained its sovereignty, its foreign policy was heavily influenced by its powerful neighbor, the Soviet Union, leading to a unique geopolitical position often described as neutrality.

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the beginning of a new itsenäistymisajat. This second era of independence has been characterized by closer integration with Western Europe, notably through membership in the European Union in 1995, and a more assertive foreign policy. Finland's security situation evolved further with its accession to NATO in 2023, signifying a notable shift in its approach to national defense and international relations during this ongoing period of independence.