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Estonian Independence
Estonia's struggle for independence was not a one-time event. In the wake of the first world war, Estonia found its independence, but post Great Depression, it was once again lost. This journey was a massive struggle, but it is something that was highly fought for. -
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War of Independence
Estonia fought against both the Baltic German and Russian Bolshevik forces in a fifteen month long war. Although this war resulted in Estonia's independence, it was only the beginning of their independence story. -
Tartu Peace Treaty
In February of 1920, after 3600 Estonians died and over 14000 were injured, Estonia and Russia signed the Treaty of Tartu, which indefinitely relinquished all Russian claim on Estonia.
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Estonia's First Constitution
Estonia created their first ever constitution document in June of the same year. This constitution established a parliament. This new government, in one of its first major acts, created widespread land reform, giving former land of Baltic German nobles to the farmers and veterans of Estonia. -
Economic Changes
Before 1924, much of Estonia's economy was reliant on Russia. Due to the independence, this had to change. The economy of agriculture, textiles, and machine manufacturing had to market to the west, as Estonia owed a significant amount of money in war debts. -
Attempted Communist Takeover
Due to the economic crisis of the debts that Estonia faced, the Estonian Communist Party, in coordination with the Soviet Communist Party, attempted a takeover of the Estonian government. Due to its failure, the communist party lost all credibility, relations with the Soviets deteriorated, and the political unity of Estonia was boosted. -
The Great Depression
Although Estonia experienced some economic growth in the 20s, they were hit just as hard as any other country by the Great Depression. This period was from 1931-34 in Estonia. After this, however, growth continued.
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Soviet Forces Occupy Estonia
With Russian and Nazi alliance, much of the Baltics was forced to submit to Soviet Russia. The Soviets claimed that Estonia violated a pact of mutual assistance and occupied the country, installing a pro-Soviet government and a new parliament. -
Estonia Rejoins the Soviet Union
With the new parliament installed, Estonia "requested" to join the Soviet Union, and their request was granted. -
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German Occupation
German forces interrupted the absorption into the Soviet Union. Many Estonians fled, in fact, over 70 thousand. Despite their emigration, these individuals continued to lobby for Estonian independence for the next 50 years. -
The Human Chain
Having found that there was stated a division of the Baltic States in the Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, Estonia and its neighbours formed a 600 kilometer human chain from Tallinn to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. This was the beginning of a three-year-long movement to independence. Image source -
Independence
After many declarations and political changes, Estonia re-claimed its independence. Although it took some time for the rest of the world to recognise, the country immediately wrote up another constitution and reformed its parliament. Image source
