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Russia's victory in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 prompted the spontaneous organization of citizen militias in Finland due to social and political unrest.
Answer: True
Explanation: Russia's defeat in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 precipitated significant social and political unrest within Finland, which in turn prompted the spontaneous formation of citizen militias.
After their initial formation in 1905, the Finnish citizen militias quickly became politically unified and avoided internal clashes.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to the assertion of political unification, the Finnish citizen militias that emerged after 1905 rapidly stratified along political lines, leading to significant internal discord and clashes.
The February Revolution in Russia in 1917 led to a strengthening of Russian political and military control over Finland.
Answer: False
Explanation: The February Revolution in Russia in 1917 resulted in a weakening, not a strengthening, of Russian political and military control over Finland, creating conditions conducive to Finnish independence.
Finland declared its independence on December 6, 1917, following the Russian Revolution of that year.
Answer: True
Explanation: Finland formally declared its independence on December 6, 1917, a pivotal event that followed the tumultuous Russian Revolutions of that year.
Following the Russian Revolutions of 1917, the Russian military forces remaining in Finland were described as well-trained and disciplined.
Answer: False
Explanation: Following the Russian Revolutions of 1917, the Russian military forces in Finland were characterized by disintegration, poor training, and a lack of discipline.
The Finnish Parliament authorized the Senate to organize a police force based on the White Guard militia on January 13, 1918.
Answer: True
Explanation: On January 13, 1918, the non-socialist majority in the Finnish Parliament authorized the Senate (the Finnish cabinet) to organize a police force based on the White Guard militia.
Which event significantly contributed to the initial formation of citizen militias in Finland around 1905?
Answer: Russia's defeat in the Russo-Japanese War leading to unrest.
Explanation: Russia's defeat in the Russo-Japanese War in 1905, leading to widespread unrest, significantly contributed to the initial formation of citizen militias in Finland.
How did the political alignment of the citizen militias evolve after their initial formation for security purposes?
Answer: They quickly divided along political lines into left (Social Democratic) and right (constitutional) factions.
Explanation: Following their initial formation for security purposes, the citizen militias in Finland rapidly stratified along political lines into left (Social Democratic) and right (constitutional) factions.
What was the condition of the Russian military forces in Finland after the 1917 revolutions?
Answer: They were disintegrating, poorly trained, and undisciplined.
Explanation: Following the 1917 revolutions, the Russian military forces remaining in Finland were in a state of disintegration, characterized by poor training and undisciplined conduct.
On what date did the Finnish Parliament authorize the formation of the White Guard as a security force?
Answer: January 13, 1918
Explanation: The Finnish Parliament authorized the formation of the White Guard as a security force on January 13, 1918.
The Suojeluskunta was primarily a conscript army established after Finland gained full independence in 1917.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Suojeluskunta, or White Guard, was fundamentally a voluntary militia rather than a conscript army. While its origins and development were intertwined with Finland's path to independence in 1917, characterizing it primarily as a conscript army established post-independence is inaccurate.
The White Army during the Finnish Civil War was exclusively composed of members of the paramilitary White Guard organization.
Answer: False
Explanation: The White Army during the Finnish Civil War was not exclusively composed of members of the paramilitary White Guard organization; it also included draftees, recruits, and German-trained Jaeger troops.
On January 27, 1918, the Finnish government ordered the Reds to disarm the remaining Russian garrisons in Finland.
Answer: False
Explanation: On January 27, 1918, the Finnish government ordered the White Guard forces to disarm and arrest the remaining Russian garrisons in Finland. This action precipitated the Red Guards' proclamation of revolution.
The Reds proclaimed a revolution on the same day that the Finnish government ordered the disarmament of Russian garrisons.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Reds proclaimed a revolution on January 27, 1918, coinciding precisely with the day the Finnish government mandated the disarmament of Russian garrisons by White Guard forces.
General Gustaf Mannerheim led the Red Guards during the Finnish Civil War.
Answer: False
Explanation: General Gustaf Mannerheim was the principal military leader of the White Army, not the Red Guards, during the Finnish Civil War.
General Mannerheim was tasked with forming a new Finnish army using the Red Guard militia as its foundation shortly after the White Guard was authorized.
Answer: False
Explanation: Shortly after the White Guard's authorization, General Mannerheim was tasked by the Senate with forming a new Finnish army, utilizing the White Guard militia as its foundational element, not the Red Guard.
The White Army possessed a significant advantage during the Civil War due to the presence of approximately 1,900 Finnish Jaeger troops trained in Germany.
Answer: True
Explanation: The White Army held a significant strategic advantage during the Civil War, notably due to the integration of approximately 1,900 Finnish Jaeger troops who had received specialized training in Germany.
The White Army received support from Finnish officers who had served in the Russian Army, but not from foreign volunteers.
Answer: False
Explanation: The White Army benefited from support provided by Finnish officers returning from service in the Russian Army, as well as from approximately 1,200 volunteers from Sweden.
Conscript troops in the White Army were less disciplined and trained than the initial White Guard units, contributing to the White victory.
Answer: False
Explanation: In contrast to the initial White Guard units, the conscript troops integrated into the White Army were noted for their superior discipline and training, which proved instrumental in the White victory.
After their victory, the Whites framed the Civil War primarily as a liberation from Russian control and deliberately downplayed the role of German intervention.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following their victory, the White faction strategically framed the Civil War primarily as a liberation from Russian dominion, deliberately downplaying the role of German intervention and the Jaeger troops for political reasons.
Approximately 1,100 people were executed during the 'Red terror' phase of the Finnish Civil War.
Answer: True
Explanation: During the 'Red terror' phase of the Finnish Civil War, approximately 1,100 individuals were executed.
The White Guard's strength had expanded to approximately 100,000 men by the start of the Finnish Civil War.
Answer: False
Explanation: By the commencement of the Finnish Civil War, the White Guard's strength had expanded to approximately 35,000-40,000 men, not 100,000.
The White Guard was part of which movement and emerged victorious over which group in the Finnish Civil War?
Answer: Finnish Whites movement; defeated the Red Guards
Explanation: The White Guard was a principal component of the Finnish Whites movement and emerged victorious over the Red Guards in the Finnish Civil War of 1918.
What was the immediate consequence of the Finnish government ordering the White Guard forces to disarm Russian garrisons on January 27, 1918?
Answer: The Reds proclaimed a revolution, initiating the Civil War.
Explanation: The immediate consequence of the Finnish government ordering the White Guard forces to disarm Russian garrisons on January 27, 1918, was the proclamation of a revolution by the Reds, thereby initiating the Civil War.
Who was the primary military leader of the White Guards during the Finnish Civil War?
Answer: Gustaf Mannerheim
Explanation: General Gustaf Mannerheim served as the primary military leader of the White Guards during the Finnish Civil War.
General Mannerheim was tasked with forming a new Finnish army primarily using which group as its foundation?
Answer: The White Guard militia
Explanation: General Mannerheim was tasked with forming a new Finnish army primarily utilizing the White Guard militia as its foundational element.
Besides the Jaeger troops, who else provided crucial support to the White Army?
Answer: 1,200 volunteers from Sweden and returning Finnish officers from the Russian Army.
Explanation: In addition to the German-trained Jaeger troops, the White Army received crucial support from approximately 1,200 volunteers from Sweden and numerous Finnish officers who had previously served in the Russian Army.
How did the conscript units compare to the initial White Guard units in the Civil War, according to the source?
Answer: Conscript units matched the Guards in number and were better disciplined and trained.
Explanation: According to the source, conscript units integrated into the White Army were better disciplined and trained than the initial White Guard units, and they matched the Guards in number.
Approximately how many people were executed during the 'Red terror'?
Answer: 1,100
Explanation: During the 'Red terror' phase of the Finnish Civil War, approximately 1,100 individuals were executed.
The 'White terror' refers to the retaliatory actions carried out by the Red Guards against the Whites following the Civil War.
Answer: False
Explanation: The term 'White terror' refers to the retaliatory actions and executions carried out by the victorious White forces following the Finnish Civil War, not by the Red Guards.
The White Guard organization was given a legal basis on August 2, 1918, and was considered a voluntary component of the Finnish Navy.
Answer: False
Explanation: The White Guard organization was formally granted a legal basis on August 2, 1918, by the Finnish Council of State, and it was consistently regarded as a voluntary component of the national defense structure, not specifically the Finnish Navy.
From 1919 until the Winter War, local White Guard chapters functioned as a combination of Veteran Corps and Home Guards.
Answer: True
Explanation: From 1919 until the onset of the Winter War, local White Guard chapters served a dual function, operating as both Veteran Corps and Home Guards within their respective communities.
The Chief of the White Guard and district chiefs were appointed by the Finnish Parliament.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Chief of the White Guard and the district chiefs were appointed by the President of Finland, not by the Finnish Parliament.
General Lauri Malmberg served as the Chief of the White Guard from 1921 until the organization's dissolution.
Answer: True
Explanation: General Lauri Malmberg held the position of Chief of the White Guard from 1921 until the organization's eventual dissolution.
What does the term 'White terror' refer to in the context of the Finnish Civil War?
Answer: The ruthless retaliatory actions by the Whites following the Civil War.
Explanation: The term 'White terror' refers to the ruthless retaliatory actions and executions carried out by the victorious White forces following the Finnish Civil War.
When was the White Guard organization officially given a legal basis by the Finnish Council of State?
Answer: August 2, 1918
Explanation: The White Guard organization was formally granted a legal basis by the Finnish Council of State on August 2, 1918.
Between 1919 and the Winter War, what dual role did local White Guard chapters primarily fulfill?
Answer: Veteran Corps and Home Guards.
Explanation: Between 1919 and the Winter War, local White Guard chapters primarily functioned as a combination of Veteran Corps and Home Guards.
Who held the position of Chief of the White Guard for a significant period, starting in 1921?
Answer: Lauri Malmberg
Explanation: General Lauri Malmberg served as the Chief of the White Guard from 1921 until the organization's dissolution.
What was the approximate strength of the White Guard by the year 1920?
Answer: 100,000 men
Explanation: By the year 1920, the White Guard's strength had expanded to approximately 100,000 men.
The 1934 mobilization system reform saw the White Guard's role shift from providing ready fighting units to becoming primarily a voluntary defense-training organization for reservists.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1934 mobilization system reform fundamentally altered the White Guard's role, shifting its primary function from providing immediate combat units to serving principally as a voluntary defense-training organization for reservists.
During the Winter War, White Guard members constituted the majority of the field army's manpower.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the Winter War, White Guard members constituted approximately a quarter of the field army's manpower, not the majority.
The White Guard was disbanded in November 1944, following the terms of the Moscow Armistice.
Answer: True
Explanation: The White Guard was officially disbanded in November 1944, in accordance with the terms stipulated by the Moscow Armistice.
Relations between the White Guards and Socialists significantly deteriorated during the Winter War, leading to a joint statement encouraging cooperation.
Answer: False
Explanation: While historically strained, relations between the White Guards and Socialist factions experienced a notable shift during the Winter War, culminating in a joint declaration advocating for cooperation and unified national defense efforts.
The Treaty of Paris (1947) required the disbandment of organizations considered 'fascist-like', leading to the dissolution of the White Guard.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Treaty of Paris (1947) mandated the dissolution of organizations deemed 'fascist-like', a stipulation that directly led to the eventual disbandment of the White Guard.
How did the 1934 mobilization system reform impact the White Guard's primary role?
Answer: It shifted the Guard's role towards becoming mainly a voluntary defense-training organization for reservists.
Explanation: The 1934 mobilization system reform shifted the White Guard's primary role from providing ready fighting units to becoming mainly a voluntary defense-training organization for reservists.
What proportion of the field army's manpower did White Guard members constitute during the Winter War?
Answer: A quarter (25%)
Explanation: During the Winter War, White Guard members constituted approximately a quarter (25%) of the field army's manpower.
Under what terms and when was the White Guard disbanded?
Answer: Moscow Armistice, November 1944
Explanation: The White Guard was disbanded in November 1944, following the terms stipulated by the Moscow Armistice.
How did the relationship between the White Guards and Socialists evolve over time?
Answer: Relations eased in the 1930s, and political rifts healed during the Winter War with a joint statement encouraging cooperation.
Explanation: While relations between the White Guards and Socialists remained historically strained, they eased in the 1930s, and political rifts were largely healed during the Winter War with a joint statement encouraging cooperation.
The Treaty of Paris (1947) led to the White Guard's disbandment primarily because it required the dissolution of what type of organizations?
Answer: Fascist-like organizations
Explanation: The Treaty of Paris (1947) led to the White Guard's disbandment primarily because it required the dissolution of organizations considered 'fascist-like'.
The official designation of the Finnish White Guard in Swedish was 'Skyddskår', which translates to 'Protection Corps'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The official designation of the Finnish White Guard in Swedish was 'Skyddskår', which translates to 'Protection Corps'.
The National Defence Training Association of Finland considers itself the direct successor to the White Guard, continuing its legacy.
Answer: False
Explanation: The National Defence Training Association of Finland does not consider itself a direct successor to the White Guard, primarily due to the mixed and contentious historical legacy associated with the latter organization.
The earliest symbols used by the White Guard included a red armband and a spruce shoot placed in the hat.
Answer: False
Explanation: The earliest symbols utilized by the White Guard included a white armband and a small spruce shoot affixed to the hat; a red armband was not among these initial insignia.
White Guard uniforms were typically styled after Swedish and German designs and were colored 'field gray' (Feldgrau).
Answer: True
Explanation: White Guard uniforms were typically styled in accordance with Swedish and German military designs and were predominantly colored 'field gray' (Feldgrau).
The 'S' symbol on the White Guard's insignia likely stood for 'Suomi', the Finnish word for Finland.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'S' symbol featured on the White Guard's insignia most likely represented 'Suojeluskunta', the organization's Finnish name, meaning 'Protection Corps'.
The Lotta Svärd was a male auxiliary organization that operated alongside the White Guard and was also disbanded in 1944.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Lotta Svärd was a female auxiliary organization that operated in parallel with the White Guard; it was not a male auxiliary organization. Both organizations were disbanded together in 1944.
What was the Finnish name for the White Guard, and what does it translate to?
Answer: Suojeluskunta, meaning 'Protection Corps'
Explanation: The official designation of the Finnish White Guard was 'Suojeluskunta', translating from Finnish as 'Protection Corps'. The organization was also known by its Swedish name, 'Skyddskår'.
Does the National Defence Training Association of Finland (Maanpuolustuskoulutus ry) consider itself a successor to the White Guard?
Answer: No, due to the White Guard's mixed and contentious heritage.
Explanation: No, the National Defence Training Association of Finland does not consider itself a successor to the White Guard, primarily due to the mixed and contentious historical legacy associated with the latter organization.
In Western countries, the Finnish organization was commonly known as the 'White Guard' due to its opposition to the 'communist' Red Guards during the Finnish Civil War.
Answer: True
Explanation: In Western discourse, the Finnish organization was widely referred to as the 'White Guard' primarily because of its role in opposing the 'communist' Red Guards during the Finnish Civil War.
Due to their post-war actions, the Reds nicknamed the White Guards 'Lahtarikaarti', meaning 'Butcher Guard'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the Finnish Civil War, the Red faction bestowed upon the White Guards the appellation 'Lahtarikaarti', a designation translating to 'Butcher Guard', reflecting perceptions of their post-conflict conduct.
A primary reason cited for the Red Guards' demise in the Finnish Civil War was their successful implementation of conscription.
Answer: False
Explanation: A primary factor contributing to the Red Guards' defeat in the Finnish Civil War was their failure to effectively implement conscription, unlike the White Army which successfully integrated conscript units alongside volunteer forces.
Why was the organization commonly referred to as the 'White Guard' in Western countries?
Answer: Because of their opposition to the 'communist' Red Guards during the Finnish Civil War.
Explanation: In Western countries, the Finnish organization was widely referred to as the 'White Guard' primarily because of its role in opposing the 'communist' Red Guards during the Finnish Civil War.
What nickname did the Reds give to the White Guards, reflecting their post-war actions?
Answer: Lahtarikaarti
Explanation: The Reds nicknamed the White Guards 'Lahtarikaarti', which translates to 'Butcher Guard', reflecting their post-war actions.