Finnish Americans in Stalin's Russia: A Tale of Persecution, Resilience, and Triumph

There were a number of factors that contributed to the persecution of Finnish Americans in Stalin's Russia.

• Finland's close proximity to the Soviet Union. Finland shares a border with Russia, and it has been a target of Russian aggression for centuries. Stalin saw Finland as a potential threat to Soviet security, and he was determined to neutralize it.
• The Finnish Civil War. In 1918, Finland fought a civil war between the Reds (socialists) and the Whites (conservatives). The Reds were supported by the Soviet Union, while the Whites were supported by Germany. The Whites eventually won the war, but the Soviet Union never forgot its support for the Reds.
• The anti-Finnish propaganda campaign in the Soviet Union. In the 1930s, the Soviet government launched a propaganda campaign against Finland. The government accused Finland of being a fascist state and a threat to Soviet security. This propaganda campaign helped to create a climate of fear and suspicion towards Finnish Americans.

The persecution of Finnish Americans had a devastating impact on the community. Over 100,000 Finnish Americans were deported to remote areas of the Soviet Union, where they were forced to live in harsh conditions and work as slave laborers. Thousands of others were arrested and executed. Those who were not deported were forced to live in fear, always looking over their shoulders for the knock at the door in the middle of the night.

The persecution also had a negative impact on Finnish-American culture. Many Finnish Americans were forced to abandon their traditional customs and beliefs. They were also discouraged from speaking Finnish or participating in Finnish-American organizations.

They Took My Father: Finnish Americans in Stalin's Russia: Finnish Americans in Stalin’s Russia

by Mayme Sevander

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3149 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	208 pages

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The persecution of Finnish Americans in Stalin's Russia is a dark chapter in history. However, it is also a story of courage, resilience, and hope. Finnish Americans survived Stalin's reign of terror, and they never gave up on their dream of freedom.

Today, Finnish Americans are a thriving community in the United States. They have made significant contributions to American society, and they continue to celebrate their Finnish heritage. The legacy of the persecution is a reminder of the human spirit's ability to triumph over adversity. It is a story that should never be forgotten.

• The Finnish American Historical Society
• The National Archives and Records Administration
• The Hoover Institution

They Took My Father: Finnish Americans in Stalin's Russia: Finnish Americans in Stalin’s Russia

by Mayme Sevander

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3149 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	208 pages

FREE