Russo-Finnish War

[Pootle]

In a paragraph, what was it all about, what were the highlights and outcomes?

[Clanad]

Takes just a bit more than a paragraph...

Before the outbreak of World War II, the Soviets were convinced (and rightly so) that Germany had plans for military aggression against Russia. Even after the signing of the Nazi-Soviet pact, each nation knew that war was inevitable. Fascist Germany was ideologically opposed to Communist Russia, and not even the title of "honorary Aryans" bestowed upon Russia by Hitler could hide that fact. That incompatibility of the two systems of government, combined with Hitler's insatiable appetite for conquest, meant that it was only a matter of time before the two powers clashed. Knowing this, the Russians were deeply concerned with securing their borders for defense, and also for obtaining "buffer zones" to absorb German attacks. They secured a buffer zone by invading and annexing the Eastern third of Poland, and by swallowing up small Baltic and Balkan states. The one place where they were dangerously vulnerable, however, was in the North. Their weakest point was on the Russo-Finnish border, which stretches for over eight hundred miles. They were especially worried about Finland because the city of Leningrad lies a mere 20 miles from the frontier. This was not normally a cause for great concern, but with war imminent, it became a matter of grave danger to the Soviets. Not only was the border heavily fortified by the Finns, but artillery pieces stationed at the border could easily strike Leningrad.  Clearly, a city of such importance that lies within artillery range of a bordering nation is cause for concern. But it was not the Finns who concerned the Russians - it was the Germans... Numerous demands were made of the Finns by the Russians, but the Finns neutrality required they resist the Russians, and it all came to a head on November 26, 1939... The rest, as they say, is history... (Source: Stephen Payne, et al)

[janesmythe22]

Clanad, what Balcans states did the Soviets 'swallowed' before the WW2?

[Clanad]

 Forced into mutual assistance treaties with the USSR in Sept.-Oct. 1939. In June 1940 the Soviet Union occupied Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, and annexed Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina from Romania...

[janesmythe22]

Thanks Clanad. I knew about Baltic states, but wasn't quite sure about Balkans. As you said, the Soviets annexed two regions from Romania. I'm not aware of any Balkans state 'swallowed' by them before WW2.