The Republic was created after White Guard units, which occupied the area in late March, 1918, during the Finnish Civil War placed the villages of Vuokkiniemi and Uhtua under direct order from Carl Wilhelm Malm. In the villages and the surrounding counties, a local government was organized under the leadership of patriotic supporters for the independence of Karelia from the RSFSR - The Committee of Uhtua (Finnish: Uhtuan toimikunta), which was led by Tuisku.[4] We also know the name of another member of the Toimikunta - Paavo Ahava.[4]