ESTONIA: Almost extinguished, successfully reborn

ESTONIA:
REPUBLIC
OF ESTONIA
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A Brief Political Chronology
• 23 March 1943 – National Committee of the
Republic of Estonia is created underground, aiming
to restore independent statehood after end of
German occupation; most members arrested by
German authorities.
• 14 January 1944 – Red Army offensive reaches
Estonian borders. Fighting between German and
Soviet troops continues for next 9 months;
22 September 1944 Tallinn retaken by Red Army
units. About 80,000 Estonians flee to the West.
• 18 September 1944 – Provisional Government of
Estonia formed and declares independence as
German troops abandon Tallinn. Several members
arrested by Soviets, some flee to Sweden, continuing
as Estonian Government in exile.
• September 1944 – Estonia remains autonomous
Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic within Soviet
Union, fully subordinated to Kremlin decisions.
Absolute power of communist rule based on
systematic terror and total isolation from the West.
Between 1944–1953, 30,000 persons sentenced to
terms of up to 25 years in Soviet labour camps or
executed. This number does not include deportees.
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