ABSTRACT
Karelia is an autonomous republic of Russia which has long acted as a buffer zone between Finland and the Russian Federation/Soviet Union. In 1617, following a successful campaign, Sweden was able to annex the Karelian districts of Kakisalmi and Inkeri. However, the Great Northern War and subsequent disastrous campaigns later led to their return to Russia. Eventually, the Russian Swedish conflict of 1807-9, which followed Napoleons Truce of Tilsit, ended with the Treaty of Hamina and the complete cession of Finland to Russia. On 6 December 1917, Finland declared itself independent and, on 4 January 1918, Russia, France, Germany and Sweden recognised its independence. In 1939, the Soviet Union demanded a pact of mutual assistance, together with territorial concessions in Karelia and the north and the lease of the naval base at Hango. A further treaty in 1948 committed Finland to help defend the Soviet Union if it were attacked across Finnish territory.
