When was the Moscow Peace Treaty signed between Finland and the Soviet Union?
The Moscow Peace Treaty was signed on the 12th of March 1940. Ratifications were exchanged on the 21st of March after the initial agreement.
Questions about Moscow Peace Treaty
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What territory did Finland cede to the Soviet Union in the Moscow Peace Treaty?
Finland ceded approximately half of Finnish Karelia including the city of Viipuri during the treaty negotiations. The total area ceded amounted to approximately 9% of its territory.
Who signed the Moscow Peace Treaty for Finland and the Soviet Union?
Vyacheslav Molotov, Andrei Zhdanov, and Aleksandr Vasilevsky signed for the Soviet Union while Risto Ryti, Juho Kusti Paasikivi, Rudolf Walden, and Väinö Voionmaa signed for Finland. These leaders formalized the agreement that ended the Winter War.
How many Finns evacuated their homes after the Moscow Peace Treaty was signed?
A total of 422,000 Finns left their homes after the agreement. This number represented 12% of Finland's entire population.
Why did the Moscow Peace Treaty lead to the Continuation War?
The harsh terms of the Moscow Peace Treaty directly precipitated the Continuation War due to deep resentment among the population and leadership. Finland's loss of territory became a core factor leading to hostilities resuming in 1941.