Between 1939 and 1945 Finland fought three separate wars. The Winter and Continuation wars against the Soviet Union, and the Lapland War against Nazi Germany. By the end of WWII Finland had successfully defended their independence, but ceded nearly 10% of their territory to the Soviet Union.

Because Finland allied with Nazi Germany in order to receive aid and support during the Continuation War they were named belligerent and fascist in the Paris Peace Treaty and forced to pay heavy war reparations to the Soviet Union.