Warfare

  The Finnish Civil War of 1918 stands as a pivotal and tumultuous chapter in the history of Finland, marking a defining moment as the nation sought to secure its independence amidst the chaos of World War I and the Russian Revolution. The conflict, which unfolded over a span of five months, pitted the "Reds" against the "Whites," reflecting ideological and societal divisions that had deep roots in Finnish society.                                          Picture courtsey:iwm.org.uk **Background:** Finland, at the time of the outbreak of the Russian Revolution in 1917, was a Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire. The fall of the Russian Provisional Government and the rise of the Bolsheviks had profound implications for Finland. Seizing the opportunity, Finland declared its independence on December 6, 1917, under the leadership of the Senate led by Pehr Evind Svinhufvud. However, this declaration exacerbated existing divisions within Finnish society. The political la