Neo Westphalian Europe Part 45: Republic of Finland

The Republic of Finland is one of the earliest buffer states that was allowed to exist between the constantly warring Swedish and Russian powers. The Finnish lands were passed back and forward between the two powers, over the centuries, until the modern nation emerged from the collapse of the Russian Empire. The country declared independence in 1917, which triggered a bout of conflict both with Russia, and internally in a civil war.

Initially the Finns explored the possibility of being a Monarchy and placed one of the German royals as its new King. This quickly collapsed however and they became a full Republic in 1919.

Because of its historical enmity with neighbouring Russia it has had cycles of conflict with them throughout the 20^th century. This has left it with territorial claims over Russian Karelia, which it seeks to reclaim. The obvious solution to this problem is for both Russia and Finland to cede their Karelian possessions to a fully independent Karelian state, which can in turn serve as a buffer state between the two nations. Finland will also cede some of its land to the neighbouring Sapmi nation and end its sovereignty over the Aland archipelago.

This will leave a final Finnish nation made up of the Northern Ostrobothnia, Kainuu, Northern Savonia, Southern Savonia, Central Finland, Southern Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, Pirkanmaa, Satakunta, Paijanne Tavastia, Tavastia Proper, Kymenlaakso, Uusimaa and Southwest Finland regions, currently a part of Finland. Added to this would be the southern part of the Lapland Region, south of the historical border of Laponia, also currently in Finland.

The flag of Finland is yet another in the large family of Nordic cross flags of the region. It first began to be flown by a Finnish Yacht club in the 1860’s. Ironically this flag was based on the St Petersburg Yacht clubs standard, as Finland was still under Russian rule at the time. Despite this connection to Russia Finnish nationalists flew this flag in the early 20^th Century, as a push for independence began.

After independence was declared in 1917 a flag competition was held to determine the new national flag. Out of the many designs entered this already established flag won out. Its cross was slightly modified into a solid form and it was adopted as the final flag. In 1920 a new version of the flag updated the colours to the current shade of blue.

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