The Invasion of Finland

During the Russian Revolution, Finland had gained his independence after being part of Russia for 100 years. And when they did, they made their border especially close to the Russian city of Leningrad. This worried Stalin greatly because he believed that this could very well be the spot from which Nazi Germany would attack from later. And so, Stalin began war. In October 1940, Stalin demanded the the land leading to Leningrad and right to Finnish ports. Finland was not impressed by Stalin and said no to the demands.

On November, 30, Stalin sent in the an army of thirty divisions which quickly grew to over one million men. Along with this vat army, Stalin sent in one thousand planes opposed to the 150 of the Finnish army. What is even more outstanding about this event is that the League of Nations expelled the Soviet Union from the league as a last ditch effort to stop the war. It was in vain. The Finnish people set up an excellent defense against the Soviet Red army. They were able to outmaneuver the Soviets and knew the surroundings better then the Red army. The battle for Finland dragged on all through the winter months as the Finnish army grew more and more tired as the Soviets just kept throwing more reinforcements in. Soon enough however Britain and France came to Finland' aid. They sent in reinforcements to "keep Finland from disappearing off the map." Finally after a long and bitter war, a peace agreement was made, Finland kept it's independence while the Soviet's got a deeper border. On March 15, 1940, peace was everywhere in Scandinavia.

Josef Stalin

The Anti-Comintern Pact

The Beginning of Alliances

The Nazi-Soviet Pact

The Invasion of Finland

The Annexation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania

Shifting Sides

Operation Barabossa

"The Russians Lost the War in Eight Days"

Cold Winter

Moscow, Kiev, and Stalingrad

The Battle for Moscow