The Suinula massacre occurred in the context of the Finnish Civil War, which erupted in early 1918 between the Red Guards, representing the socialist factions, and the White Guards, aligned with conservative and nationalist elements. The conflict arose after Finland declared independence from Russia in December 1917, leading to power struggles over the new government's control. In Kangasala, the Red Guards targeted the village of Suinula, where they had apprehended a number of individuals believed to be sympathetic to the White cause.

On January 31, 1918, the situation escalated dramatically when the Red Guards executed approximately 150 people, discarding any pretext of a legal or fair trial. This mass execution directly reflected the deepening animosities and escalating violence between the two sides, which were fueled by ideological, social, and economic tensions. The massacre in Suinula shocked the local populace and beyond, revealing the war's brutal reality and contributing to a cycle of reprisals and retaliations that characterized the conflict.

In essence, the Suinula massacre symbolized a transition in the Finnish Civil War towards more ruthless methods of warfare, as both factions began engaging in violence that went beyond battlefield confrontations. The brutality of the event galvanized the White forces while simultaneously straining the moral high ground that the Reds might have sought to maintain. The aftermath saw increased recruitment for both sides as they sought to strengthen their ranks amid rising tensions.