Finland
Suomen Tasavalta | |
---|---|
Flag of Finland | |
Capital | Helsinki |
Ruling Party | Kansallinen Kokoomus (Tr: National Coalition Party) |
Last Election | 02/07/1960 |
Head of State | President Juha Rihtniemi |
Head of Government | Prime Minister Johannes Virolainen |
Sphere | Grossraum Kontinentaleuropa |
Foreign Alignment | Pakt Observer, Einheitspakt |
GDP | $7.12B |
Credit Rating | Fair |
Market Type | Free Market Capitalism |
The Republic of Finland is a country in Northern Europe. It borders the Kingdom of Sweden to the west, its client state Onega to the east, and Reichskommissariat Moskowien to the south. It is currently an observer in the Einheitspakt.
History[edit | edit source]
Formation[edit | edit source]
Formerly the Grand Duchy of Finland before the First World War, against the backdrop of the Revolutions of 1917 that Finland would see itself independent from their Russian overlords. It was during this era that Finns vowed that it would defend itself against the bigger powers that sought to vassalise it again.
During the interwar period, relations between Finland and the new Soviet Union were tense. Some elements in Finland maintained the dream of a "Greater Finland" which included the Soviet-controlled part of Karelia, while the proximity of the Finnish border to Leningrad caused worry among the Soviet leadership. Despite this tense relations, Finland sought to stay neutral.
World War Two[edit | edit source]
On 23 August 1939, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union would sign the Zhdanov–Ribbentrop Pact, which included a secret clause demarcating Finland as part of the Soviet sphere of influence. By the 12 October 1939, the Soviet Union began negotiations with Finland regarding the disposition of the Karelian Isthmus, the Hanko Peninsula, and various islands in the Gulf of Finland, all of which were considered by the Finns to be Finnish territory. No agreement was reached, which led to the start of the Winter War.
On 26 November, the Soviet Union accused the Finnish Army of shelling the village of Mainila. It was subsequently found that the Soviets had in fact shelled the village, to create a pretext for withdrawal from their non-aggression pact with Finland. 4 days later, with the pretext of Mainila being shelled, the Soviet Union attacked Finland. The Winter War began, disastrously for the Soviets. The Red Army, weakened by factionalism was defeated repeatedly on the field, with heavy losses. Finnish troops would defend valiantly, defeating the Reds along the Mannerheim Line.
Subsequently, in the peace after the Winter War, Finland would see a small golden age in the interim peace. Through their successful defence of the nation against the Soviet Union, they revealed the weakness of the Red Army. Additionally, the repeated operational failures of the Red Army gave German army planners the confidence that the Soviets could be easily defeated, setting the plans for Operation Barbarossa.
The Finns would later join with the Germans against the Soviets in Operation Barbarossa, fighting the Soviets in the Continuation War, conquering Eastern Karelia and Murmansk from the Soviet Union. The complete collapse of the Soviet Union in 1942, would solidify Finnish territorial gains and usher in a new golden age for Finland, fulfilling the idea of "Greater Finland" for its adherents.
West Russian War[edit | edit source]
The period after the end of World War II was marked by another brief golden age for Finland. The victory won in the war brought about its new lands and riches for the small nation. However, the start of the West Russian War put an end to this golden age. As the West Russian Revolutionary Front and its allies launched a counteroffensive against Reichskommissariat Moskowien, Kaukasien and across the border to retake their lost territory. Their speed and advance pushed the border of the West Russian Revolutionary Front to the borders of Finland once more.
It was here that the Russians diverted a small force to retake its lost lands of Murmansk and formerly Soviet Karelia. As a result of this attack, the Finnish military was called upon again to defend Finland. With military skill and excellent leadership, the Finnish military were able to repulse the Russian attack and retain its territory, but the effects of the incursion and the West Russian War would become the catalyst for radical change in Finland.
Politics[edit | edit source]
National Spirits[edit | edit source]
National Spirit | In-Game Description | Effects |
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An Unsatisfactory Answer |
Karelia and Murmansk have finally rejoined the Finnish homeland - the time has come to rejoice!
...Or so it would have been, but in truth both these lands have been nothing but a headache and drain on the coffers of the country. Red partisans infest the forests, and though much of the 'non-ethnic' population of Karelia has been deported to Onega, Murmansk remains as a thoroughly Russian thorn jabbing at the side of the state. Until these issues are resolved, the "Eastern Question" remains open, and the answer we have now may not be enough to preserve all that has been built over two decades when the Russians inevitably come knocking again. |
Stability: -10.00% War Support: +5.00% Resistance Growth Speed: +5% |
The Second Crisis of Democracy |
On paper, the IKL is a minority party barely rising above the level of the fringe. In reality, the IKL and other right-wing movements find the strength from... somewhere to strongarm politicians, fight partisans in the East without government sanction, and in general pull the strings throughout the halls of power without rightfully wearing the crown. This shadowy support makes the Finnish far-right much harder to weaken than it should be at a first glance, and means that the number of seats controlled by the IKL in Parliament means nothing but a red herring to mislead unwary observers as to how much power it wields. | Political Power Gain: -10% Recruitable Population: 2.50% Ideology Drift Defense: -20.0% Personnel Cost Modifier: -5.00% Light Infantry Defense: +25.00% Light Infantry Training Time: +15.00% Acceptance of National Socialist Diplomacy +25 Acceptance of Fascist Diplomacy +25 |
The Growth Regime |
Of all the nations in or around the periphery of the German sphere, Finland is an economic anomaly. With an export regime characterised by technically advanced products - both industrial and agricultural -disciplined and competitive state corporations working in cooperation with banks design organisations, and a high rate of public savings, the Finnish economy has grown by leaps and bounds. Additionally, the influx of resources from the new Eastern territories and from Russia via Onega, and close cooperation with Sweden in terms of exports to Germany, have resulted in what many international observers call Europe's success story in a time marked otherwise by economic bleakness. | Construction Speed: +15.00% GDP Growth: +0.02% Production Units to GDP Ratio Modifier: +10.00% |