Head of the Finnish Senate who declared independence and sought German intervention in the civil war
A lawyer and judge exiled to Siberia in 1914 for resisting Russification, he returned in March 1917, became head of the Senate, Finland's government, in November, led the declaration of independence on 6 December and at the end of December obtained Lenin's recognition in person in Petrograd. When civil war began in January 1918 he escaped from Red-held Helsinki and led the White government at Vaasa, and over Mannerheim's objections asked Germany for military intervention, bringing in von der Goltz's Baltic Sea Division. He became regent in May, but when Germany's defeat wrecked the pro-German line he handed the post to Mannerheim in December. Prime minister in 1930 and president from 1931 to 1937, he put down the far-right Lapua movement's Mäntsälä rebellion of 1932 with a radio address. He died in 1944.
Related historical events
- 1917.12–1918.11Brest-Litovsk and Germany’s eastern occupationFinnish Senate leader who sought German assistanceAs head of the White government he asked Germany for military intervention over Mannerheim's objections and concluded treaties with Germany on 7 March 1918.
- 1918–1922The Civil War and Foreign InterventionFinnish Senate leader who sought German assistanceLed the Senate that pursued Finnish independence in 1917. Heading the White government during the civil war, he sought German intervention and later served as regent. He was president from 1931 to 1937.
Revolution and independence wars
Led the Senate that pursued Finnish independence in 1917. Heading the White government during the civil war, he sought German intervention and later served as regent. He was president from 1931 to 1937.