Borderlands and Historical Narratives: Finnish Perspectives on Soviet History, 1917–1950

Abstract

Finland’s proximity to the Soviet Union and its own turbulent twentieth-century history have produced a distinctive historiography of Russian and Soviet history. This article investigates Finnish historical writings on the USSR between 1917 and 1950, focusing on interpretations of the Russian Revolution, the Winter War (1939–1940), and the broader dynamics of borderland encounters. Using Finnish-language academic works, government archives, and war memoirs, the study examines how Soviet history was framed within Finnish debates about sovereignty, security, and national identity.
The findings reveal that Finnish historiography oscillated between viewing Russia as a perpetual threat and acknowledging its role as a neighbor with shared histories. During the interwar years, the Russian Revolution was interpreted primarily as a destabilizing force that directly threatened Finnish independence. The Winter War reinforced narratives of Soviet aggression, cementing images of Russia as both a geopolitical rival and a defining “other” in Finnish national consciousness. However, even in this hostile framework, some Finnish historians sought comparative approaches, emphasizing cultural exchanges and shared borderland experiences.
The article argues that Finnish historiography of the Soviet Union reflects the dilemmas of small states situated next to great powers. It highlights the role of memory, trauma, and geopolitics in shaping historical writing, while also pointing to moments of intellectual openness where Finnish historians engaged with Soviet scholarship. By situating Finnish historiography within transnational borderland studies, the research contributes to broader discussions about how proximity and conflict shape national historical narratives.