Finland’s experience of the Second World War was complex and often tragic. This course examines the Winter War, Finland’s alliance with Nazi Germany during the Continuation War, and the devastating burning of Lapland as German forces retreated. Through historical narrative and analysis, we explore how geopolitics, survival and moral compromise shaped Finland’s wartime choices, and the long-term consequences for the region and its people.
- Lapland War (Wikipedia)
- The Lapland War (Youtube).
- Nenye, Vesa, Peter Munter, & Toni Wirtanen. Finland at War: The Continuation and Lapland Wars 1941–45. Osprey Publishing, 2018.
- Jowett, Philip & Brent Snodgrass. Finland at War 1939–1945. 2006.
- Trotter, William R. A Frozen Hell: The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939-1940.
- Irincheev, Bair. War of the White Death: Finland Against the Soviet Union 1939-40.
- From the author's perspective - living in Arctic Lapland 2020-2022.
- Background on the establishment of an independent Finland, 1918.
- The road to war – overview of policy of appeasement, Soviet territorial ambitions, German strategic and resources needs.
- The Winter War of late 1939-early 1940.
- Fighting alongside Nazi Germany against Soviet Union.
- Soviet demands for the expulsion of German forces from Finland.
- German retreat through Lapland and its destruction.
- The Continuation War, late 1944-early 1945.
- Walking the high wire - Pasikivi's diplomacy.
- A 'satellite state' - from 1945 for the next several decades.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Understand the historical context of Finland's wars with the Soviet Union.
- Learn about Germany's involvement with Finland during WW2.
- Understand why and how retreating German troops burned the land, its main towns and the city of Rovaniemi as they retreated northward into Norway.
- Appreciate how these experiences impacted the country's relationship with its larger neighbour.
