Polity Republic of Estonia

This article is about the specific polity Republic of Estonia and therefore only includes events related to its territory and not to its possessions or colonies. If you are interested in the possession, this is the link to the article about the nation which includes all possessions as well as all the different incarnations of the nation.

If you are looking for the page with the statistics about this polity you can find it here: All Statistics

Is a country located in the Baltic Region of Europe. It borders Russia and Latvia. It emerged from the German-occupied territories of the Russian Empire after World War I. In the early phases of World War II it was invaded by the USSR. It gained again independence with the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.

Establishment

  • November 1918: After their defeat in World War I, the Germans were forced to hand over power in Estonia to the Provisional Government.
  • November 1918: The RSFSR Captured Narva on 29 November.
  • December 1918: The town of Alūksne was captured by the Red Army on 7 December.
  • December 1918: The 49th Red Latvian Rifle Regiment took the Valga railway junction.
  • December 1918: Tartu conquered by RSFSR.
  • December 1918: On Christmas Eve, the 6th Red Rifle Division captured the Tapa railway junction.
  • December 1918: Border changes during the Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive.

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

1. World War I

Was a global conflict between two coalitions, the Allies (primarily France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, Japan, and the United States) and the Central Powers (led by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire). It was mainly caused by the competition of the western countries over domain in Europe and in the rest of the world with their colonial empires. The war ended with the defeat of the Central Powers. The war also caused the Russian Revolution and the ensuing Russian Civil War.

1.1. Aftermath of World War I

Were a series of treaties and military events that can be considered a direct consequence of World War I.

1.1.1. Creation of Estonia after the retreat of the German Army

After their defeat in World War I, the Germans handed over the power in Estonia to a Provisional Government.

  • November 1918: After their defeat in World War I, the Germans were forced to hand over power in Estonia to the Provisional Government.

1.1.2. Estonian War of Independence

Was the Estonian War of independence from Bolshevik Russia and German troops.

  • February 1920: Pskow is under Russian control.

1.1.2.1. Soviet Offensive (Estonian War of Independence)

Was the Bolshevik invasion of Estonia, a former region of the Russian Empire that had declared independence.

1.1.2.2. Liberation of Estonian territories (Estonian War of Independence)

Estonian counteroffensive against the Bolshevik invasion.

1.1.2.3. Estonian offensives into Russia and Latvia

Offensive of the Estonian army in Russian and Latvian territories.

1.1.2.4. Battles between Estonia and Latvia

Were battles between Latvia and Estonia during the Independence wars of these two countries.

1.1.2.4.1. Battle of Cēsis

The Battle of Cēsis (alos Battle of Wenden) was a decisive battle in the Estonian War of Independence and the Latvian War of Independence were the Estonian and Latvian forces defeated the Baltic German forces.

1.1.2.4.2. Return of latvian government

Withdraw of remaining German troops from Latvia.

1.1.2.5. Final battles and peace (Estonian War of Independence)

Were the final phases of the Estonian War of Independence.

1.1.3. Latvian War of Independence

Was a series of military conflicts in Latvia between 5 December 1918, after the newly proclaimed Republic of Latvia was invaded by Soviet Russia.

1.1.3.1. Soviet offensive (Latvian War of Independence)

Soviet offensive in Latvia, a territory of the Russian Empire that had been occupied by Germany and had then declared independency.

1.1.3.2. Latvian and German counteroffensive

German and Latvian counterattack against Bolshevik forces during the Latvian War of Independence.

2. World War II

Was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945 (it started sooner in certain regions) between the Axis Powers (mainly Germany, Japan and Italy) and the Allies (mainly the Soviet Union, the U.S.A., the U.K., China and France). It was the war with more fatalities in history. The war in Asia began when Japan invaded China on July 7, 1937. The war in Europe began when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. The war ended with the complete defeat of the Axis powers, which were occupied by the Allies.

2.1. World War II (Eastern Theatre)

Was the Eastern European theatre of World War II.

2.1.1. Soviet occupation of the Baltic states

Was the Soviet invasion of the Baltic states in the early phase of World War II as agreed by Germany and the USSR in the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

  • June 1939: The USSR invaded Estonia and Latvia.
  • June 1939: Only the Estonian Independent Signal Battalion stationed in Tallinn at Raua Street showed resistance to the Red Army and "People's Self-Defence" Communist militia, fighting the invading troops on 21 June 1940. As the Red Army brought in additional reinforcements supported by six armoured fighting vehicles, the battle lasted several hours until sundown. Finally the military resistance was ended with negotiations and the Independent Signal Battalion surrendered and was disarmed.

3. Dissolution of the Soviet Union

Was the process of internal disintegration within the Soviet Union (USSR) which resulted in the end of the country as a sovereign state, thereby resulting in its constituent republics gaining full independence.

  • August 1991: In Estonoa, the peaceful Singing Revolution resulted in the restoration of de facto independence.