The Finland — Soviet Union peace and friendship society (1940): a Finnish perspective

Abstract

The article examines activities of the Finland — Soviet Union Peace and Friendship Society (Suomen-Neuvostoliiton rauhan ja ystävyyden seura, SNS) in 1940. It explores the circumstances behind the organization’s emergence, its ideological foundations, propaganda practices, and reasons for its subsequent ban. Particular attention is paid to perceptions of SNS within Finnish political and public discourse during the Interim Peace period. The study draws primarily on Finnish materials, including newspapers and works by Finnish historians. The article also addresses connections between SNS and earlier left-wing intellectual movements, especially the Clarté movement.