This Day in History: December 6, 1917

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by Simonov

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This Day in History

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On December 6, 1917, Finland declares its independence for Russia. Finland had been an autonomous grand duchy under the control of Russia with the Russian emperor (tsar) at its head as the Grand Duke of Finland. During the reign of Tsar Nicholas II, a policy of Russification sought to weaken Finnish culture and autonomy, leading to discontent in Finland and fueling the desire for full independence from Russia. Following the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II in March 1917, those in charge in Finland viewed the legal basis for the union between Russia and Finland as no longer having any legal basis as Nicholas II had also been the Grand Duke of Finland. The government in Finland followed up with this view by opening negotiations with the provisional Russian government. The Finnish Parliament issued the Power Act, assuming responsibility for legislation in Finland outside foreign and military matters, but was ultimately rejected by the Russian government. Following the defeat of the Russian interim government by the Bolsheviks, the Bolsheviks declared a right to self-determination (including the right to secession) which occurred at the same time as the Finnish Parliament declared itself as assuming all the powers of Sovereign of Finland on November 2. The Parliament then set about drafting a new republican form of government and to declare its independence from Russia, doing so on December 6. By January 4, 1918, Finland's independence had been officially recognized by the Russian SFSR, France, Sweden, and the German Empire.

From January 27 to May 15, 1918, Finland fell into civil war due to differences over the future of Finland withing the country, including over whether the Finland should become a republic or a new monarchy. Though tensions remained, the nation eventually united as a republic, holding its first parliamentary elections in 1919. Today, December 6 is celebrated and commemorated as Finland's Independence Day.

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