Why would a Menshevik government concede Finnish independence?
Short answerIt could accept independence reluctantly to gain Finnish support and avoid fighting on several fronts, with Russian leaders hoping to reverse the concession later.
NotesThe proposed government does not willingly abandon its interest in Finland. Its immediate problem is to defeat the Bolsheviks without also fighting the Finns. Conceding independence offers a possible bargain for Finnish assistance. In this scenario, accepting that bargain would not necessarily mean abandoning hopes of recovering the territory after consolidating power.