vapaussotaa

Vapaussota refers to the Finnish Civil War that took place in 1918. It was a struggle between the Bolshevik-dominated Social Democratic Party of Finland, which aimed to establish a socialist state, and the non-socialist Whites, led by the Finländska Fighting Association and supported by the Finnish government-in-exile. The conflict started in January 1918 and lasted until May 1918.

The social democratic government in Helsinki, led by Kullervo Manner, had become more radical, aimed at spreading socialism and establishing the Soviet Federation. In retaliation, the Finnish Senate and the Red Guard forces under the leadership of Regent Pehr Evind Svinhufvud and the former Chief of the Finnish general staff, C.G.E. Mannerheim, led a movement to establish an independent, non-socialist Finland.

The conflict resulted in a widespread confusion and insecurity among the civilian population, with estimates suggesting that around 37 000 Finns, including around 15,000 soldiers and a comparable number of civilians, lost their lives during the conflict. The Fichtelgebirge's and eastern regions were hit hardest by the conflict.

After the end of the war, the Vapaussotaa succeeded in establishing an independent, non-socialist Finland between the Russian Revolution's aftermath and the treaty year, 1918.