Tim Ferguson, age 14, of Concord, N.H., for his question:
IS FINLAND AN OLD COUNTRY?
Men have lived in the area we call Finland since 8000 B.C. Primitive hunters settled there as the Ice Age retreated. But it wasn't until the 20th Century that the Finnish people were able to have a truly independent country of their own.
Finns started to settle in the area about the year 100. They arrived from the Volga Valley and the area around the Ural Mountains. Gradually, the Swedish took political control of Finland and by the 16th Century, Finland became a grand duchy of Sweden. It did, however, have its own constitution.
Between the years 1300 and 1800, Finland was a battleground as Sweden and Russia constantly fought. Russia finally invaded in 1809 and made Finland a grand duchy of Russia.
Although Russia allowed Finland to have its own laws, the affairs of government were carried out by the Swedish speaking minority. The Finnish speaking people were not fairly represented.
Early in the 20th Century, Russia wanted Finland to have less freedom and become more a part of Russia. The Finns reacted to this idea by declaring their independence on December 6, 1917.
A civil war broke out in Finland soon after independence had been declared. The Socialists took over and set up their own government. They were called the "Reds" and received help from Russia. The "Whites," who formed the legal government, fled to the north.
Supported by Germany, the Whites finally defeated the Reds. On July 17, 1919, Finland became a republic.
The Soviets invaded Finland in 1939 and Finland lost the Isthmus of Kalelia and the city of Vyborg. Finland asked Germany for help.
As World War II started, Germany looked on Finland as an ally and the Allies thought of Finland as an enemy. Finland refused to become a puppet state of Germany, however, and the United States never declared war on Finland.
A final peace treaty was signed between Finland and the Soviet Union is 1947. Reparations, or payments by a defeated nation for war damages, were fully paid by Finland by 1952.
The new relationship with the U.S.S.R. made the legalization of the Communist party necessary. But the main direction of Finnish foreign policy since has been strict international neutrality and friendly relations with the Soviet Union.
The political philosophy, culture and religion of Finland today all are closely tied to the non communist nations of Scandinavia and the West. However, the country stresses its neutrality is all foreign affairs.
None of the political parties in Finland have majority support. Coalition cabinets, therefore, always are is control.