venekisojen

Venekisojen, also known as the Finnish Winter War, was a military conflict fought between Finland and the Soviet Union from November 30, 1939, to March 13, 1940. The war was a result of the Soviet Union's annexation of the Baltic states and the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, which divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Finland, which had been neutral during World War I, sought to maintain its independence and territorial integrity.

The war began when the Soviet Union invaded Finland, aiming to expand its influence in the region. The Finnish military, despite being outnumbered and outgunned, managed to hold the Soviets at bay for nearly three months. The Finnish Army, known for its skill and determination, fought a defensive war, focusing on delaying the Soviet advance and wearing down the enemy.

The war ended with the Moscow Peace Treaty, signed on March 13, 1940. Finland ceded approximately 10 percent of its territory to the Soviet Union, including the Karelia region, and agreed to demilitarize the border zone. The war had significant consequences for Finland, including the loss of territory and the strengthening of Finnish nationalism. It also marked the beginning of Finland's alliance with Nazi Germany, which would later lead to Finland's participation in the Continuation War during World War II.