The
Independence of Finland 1917
The Russian Revolution and the birth of an independent Finnish state changed the situation
at the border. The border now clearly came to separate the Finnish and the Russian part of
Karelia. For the new Finland the border to the Soviet Union became an important part of
the identity-building process of the young state but at the same time it meant the end of
favorable cross-border relations. At the outbreak of the October revolution the parliament
assumed the power in Finland and the independence was declared on the 6th of December
1917.After Finland's separation from Russia
Ladoga's economics, oriented at trade with Russia, came to a dead end. Traditional
economical connections were interrupted. Transportation by Ladoga to St. Petersburg was
stopped.. After grain import stopped, hunger came to many regions. Many landless Ladoga
peasants had no more jobs (since they often went to St. Petersburg for seasonal jobs).
Finland's government took emergency action - massive cut-down of trees began. Lumbering
provided employment and money to start farms and raise agriculture.
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