Sotaaika

Sotaaika is a Finnish term that translates to "war time" or "period of war." It generally refers to the historical periods in Finnish history when the nation was involved in armed conflict. The most significant and commonly understood sotaaika is the period spanning the Winter War (1939-1940) and the Continuation War (1941-1944), collectively known as the Wars of the Continuation and Independence in Finnish historiography.

During this sotaaika, Finland fought against the Soviet Union. The Winter War began when the Soviet Union attacked Finland, aiming to secure its borders and gain territory. Despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned, Finland mounted a fierce defense, earning international admiration. The war concluded with the Moscow Peace Treaty, where Finland ceded territory but maintained its independence.

The Continuation War followed soon after, with Finland joining Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. Finland's objectives were to regain territories lost in the Winter War and to secure its future. This conflict was more prolonged and devastating. The war ended with the Moscow Armistice, which largely restored the borders from before the Winter War, but also imposed significant reparations on Finland.

The experience of sotaaika profoundly shaped Finnish national identity, fostering a strong sense of resilience and unity. It left a lasting impact on Finnish society, economy, and foreign policy. The memory of sotaaika continues to be a significant part of Finland's collective consciousness.