1 May

Whites parade their 10,000 prisoners through the streets of Vyborg on their way to barracks and other prisons.

4 May

The last Reds surrender in Kotka. The Vaasa Senate returns to Helsinki.

6 May

The first issue of Suomen Sosialidemokraatti is published by Väinö Tanner. The paper condemns Bolshevism and promises to revive the labour movement. The paper is immediately closed down. The same happens in September. It is only in mid-December that the paper is allowed to be published regularly.

13 May

Viapori’s name is changed into Suomenlinna. The change causes protests, especially among the Swedish-speaking circles. In their opinion, the fortress should be called Sveaborg, as it was called during the Swedish rule.

15 May

The British government recognises Finland’s independence temporarily, prior to official recognition. As a precondition for recognition Finland was required to adopt a policy of neutrality, among other things.

The parliament convenes for the first time after the war. Matti Paasivuori was the only Social Democrat present. Most of the Social Democrat MPs are in prison camps or in Russia. Some have been executed. Some are prevented from attending parliament sessions.

16 May

White Army victory parade takes place in Helsinki. The purpose of the parade is to show that Whites won the war thanks to Finnish troops.

18 May

The Senate of Finland proposes that the supreme power should be transferred from the parliament to the Senate Chairman, P. E. Svinhufvud, who would thus become the State Regent. The State Regent’s prerogatives were based on the 1772 Constitution and the 1789 Union and Security Act. In practice, he received the Senate chairmanship that had belonged to the Governor-General under Russian rule.

27 May

The State Regent, P. E. Svinhufvud, appoints a new Senate led by J. K. Paasikivi, a monarchist. The main goal of the Senate is to resolve the question of the form of government.

29 May

The parliament declares the Blue Cross Flag a symbol of Finland. After passing the Flag Act, the MPs postpone the session for a moment and attend a flag-hoisting ceremony. They raise nine cheers for Finland’s own flag.

29 May

The parliament passes a law on the adjudication of cases of treason. Those involved in the rebellion must be investigated and sentenced in state crime courts – special courts of law established for the adjudication of cases of treason. A state crime high court is established as a special court of appeal for these cases.

29 May

Germany’s military command informs the Baltic Sea Division that it will remain in Finland for the time being.