History of Finnish independence, 1917

History: Finland (1917 independence)

From the Senate's declaration of independence, approved by Parliament on 6 December 1917, to Soviet Russian recognition later that month.

1 min read

Published

24 September 2026

Status verified as of

18 September 2026

Declaration of independence

The Senate of Finland's declaration of independence, presented to Parliament on 4 December 1917, asserted that "the people of Finland should take its place as an independent nation at the side of other peoples of the world." Parliament approved the declaration on 6 December 1917.[1]

6 December 1917 · Declaration

Finnish Declaration of Independence, 1917

The Senate of Finland presented a declaration of independence from Russia, asserting Finland's place "as an independent nation at the side of other peoples of the world," which Parliament approved on 6 December 1917.

International recognition

The Council of People's Commissars of Soviet Russia recognised Finnish independence on 18 December 1917 (Julian calendar; 31 December 1917 Gregorian), confirmed by the All-Russian Central Executive Committee days later, making Soviet Russia the first state to recognise the new republic.[2] Sweden and France recognised Finland on 4 January 1918, and Germany followed on 6 January 1918.[3]

31 December 1917 · Recognition

Soviet Russian Recognition of Finnish Independence, 1917

The Council of People's Commissars of Soviet Russia recognised Finnish independence, a decision confirmed by the All-Russian Central Executive Committee, becoming the first state to recognise Finland.

4 January 1918 · Recognition

Sweden, France and Germany recognise Finland, 1918

Sweden and France recognised Finnish independence on 4 January 1918, and Germany followed on 6 January 1918.

The Finnish Civil War

Within weeks of these recognitions, civil war broke out between the Reds and the German- and Swedish-backed Whites, fought from 27 January to 15 May 1918. Published estimates of total deaths range from roughly 36,000 to 38,000, including thousands of post-war executions and prison-camp deaths; no single figure is treated as authoritative.[4]

27 January 1918 – 15 May 1918 · Conflict episode

Finnish Civil War, 1918

The Finnish Civil War, fought between the Reds and the German- and Swedish-backed Whites from 27 January to 15 May 1918, caused a disputed total of roughly 36,000-38,000 deaths, including thousands of executions and prison-camp deaths after the fighting ended.

Sources for this page

Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.

Claim: The Senate of Finland's declaration of independence, presented to Parliament on 4 December 1917 and approved on 6 December 1917, asserted that "the people of Finland should take its place as an independent nation at the side of other peoples of the world."

Senate of Finland, Finland. Declaration of Independence, adopted by the Diet on Dec. 6, 1917 (histdoc.net (historical documents archive), 6 December 1917) link, declaration text. Government perspective or primary official source Source record

Claim: The Council of People's Commissars of Soviet Russia decided on 18 December 1917 (Julian calendar; 31 December 1917 Gregorian) that "the independence of the Republic of Finland as a country is recognised," a decision confirmed by the All-Russian Central Executive Committee on 23 December 1917 (Julian; 5 January 1918 Gregorian). Soviet Russia was the first state to recognise Finnish independence.

Council of People's Commissars of Soviet Russia and All-Russian Central Executive Committee, The Soviet Russia's recognition of Finland's independence, Dec. 1917 - Jan. 1918 (histdoc.net (historical documents archive)) link, decree text. Government perspective or primary official source Source record

Claim: Sweden and France recognised Finnish independence on 4 January 1918, and Germany followed on 6 January 1918. Germany subsequently gave military support, including arms and German-trained Finnish Jäger troops, to the White side once the Finnish Civil War broke out later that month; Sweden permitted volunteer participation on the White side, including an 800-1,000-strong Swedish Brigade, without direct state military involvement.

Finland's international status from 1917 to 2017 (Finland 100) link, article text. Source record

Claim: The Finnish Civil War was fought between the Reds and the German- and Swedish-backed Whites from 27 January to 15 May 1918. Published estimates of total deaths range from roughly 36,000 to 38,000, including some 9,700-10,000 executions and 12,000-14,000 deaths in prison camps holding roughly 80,000 captured Red Guards and their families after the fighting ended, with Red casualties estimated at roughly six times White casualties; no single consolidated figure is treated as authoritative.

Finnish Civil War (Wikipedia) link, Casualties and Prison camps sections. Source record