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Estonian War of Independence
Part of Wars of Independence
Date 1918 - 1920 Location Northern Europe Result Peace Treaty of Tartu
Combatants
Estonia, Finnish and Scandinavian volunteers, White Russians	Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic	Landeswehr
Commanders
Johan Laidoner	Jukums Vācietis Sergei Kamenev	Rüdiger von der Goltz
Strength
74,500 (Estonian Army), ca 4000 Finnish volunteers, White Russians, about 200-400 Scandinavians	160 000+	9500
Casualties
5,600 killed 15,000 wounded 667 captured	? killed  ? wounded 10,000 captured	?

The Estonian War of Independence

Signatures on the Peace Treaty of Tartu

The Estonian War of Independence (Estonian: Vabadussõda, literally "freedom war"), which occurred in 1918-1920, took place during the Russian Civil War, was the Republic of Estonia's struggle for sovernity in the aftermath of World War I and the Russian Revolution. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... The term War of Independence is generally use to describe a war occurring after a territory that has declared independence. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Northern Europe Northern Europe is the northern part of the European continent. ... Treaty of Tartu (Estonian: Tartu rahu, literally Tartu peace) between Estonia and Bolshevist Russia was signed in February 2, 1920 after the Estonian War of Independence. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Estonia. ... Image File history File links Flag_RSFSR_1918. ... State motto: Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! (Workers of the world, unite!) Official language None (Russian in practice) Capital Moscow Chairman of the Supreme... Image File history File links United_Baltic_Duchy_flag. ... Baltische Landeswehr (Baltic Land Defence) was the name of the armed forces of The United Baltic Duchy from November 1918 to July 3, 1919. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Jukums Vācietis (November 11, 1873—July 28, 1938) (Russian (language): Иоаким Иоакимович Вацетис (Ioakim Ioakimovich Vatsetis)) was a Soviet military commander of Latvian descent. ... Sergei Sergeyevich Kamenev (Russian: Сергей Сергеевич Каменев) (April 4 (16), 1881, Kiev - August 25, 1936, Moscow) was a Soviet military leader. ... Rüdiger von der Goltz Gustav Adolf Joachim Rüdiger Graf von der Goltz (born December 8, 1865, in Züllichau, Prussia [now Poland]; died November 4, 1946, in Kinsegg, Allgäu, Germany) was the commander of German units which played an instrumental role in the defeat of Russian Bolsheviks... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 702 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1024 × 875 pixel, file size: 115 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Map of the Estonian War of Independence. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 702 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1024 × 875 pixel, file size: 115 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Map of the Estonian War of Independence. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 475 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (540 × 682 pixel, file size: 226 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Tartu rahulepingu allkirjad source: http://riigi. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 475 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (540 × 682 pixel, file size: 226 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Tartu rahulepingu allkirjad source: http://riigi. ... The Russian Civil War (1917-1922) began immediately after the collapse of the Russian provisional government and the Bolshevik takeover of Petrograd, rapidly intensifying after the dissolution of the Russian Constituent Assembly and signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

Timeline

In November 1917, upon the disintegration of the Russian Empire, a Diet the Estonian National Council(Maapäev), which had been elected in the spring of that year, proclaimed itself the highest authority in Estonia. Soon thereafter, the Bolsheviks dissolved the Maapäev and temporarily forced the pro-independence Estonians underground in capital Tallinn. A few months later, using a moment between the Red Army's retreat and the arrival of Imperial German Army, the Salvation Committee of the Estonian National Council Maapäev issued the Estonian Declaration of Independence ^[1] in Parnu on February 24, 1918 and formed a provisional government. This first period of independence was extremely short-lived, as German troops entered Tallinn on the following day. The German authorities recognized neither the provisional government, nor its claim for Estonia's independence, counting them as a self-styled group usurping sovereign rights of Baltic chivalries. The subject of this article was previously also known as Russia. ... In politics, a Diet is a formal deliberative assembly. ... The Maapäev (translated as Day of Land) was the Legislative Assembly of Estonia from 1917—1919. ... Bolshevik Party Meeting. ... The Maapäev (translated as Day of Land) was the Legislative Assembly of Estonia from 1917—1919. ... Imperial Germans is the common translation of the German word Reichsdeutsche (adj. ... The Salvation Committee (Estonian: Päästekomitee or Eestimaa Päästmise Komitee) was executive body of Estonian Maapäev that issued Estonian Declaration of Independence. ... The Maapäev (translated as Day of Land) was the Legislative Assembly of Estonia from 1917—1919. ... Estonian Declaration of Independence[1] 24 February 1918. ... County Pärnu County Mayor Ahti Kõo Area 32. ... February 24 is the 55th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... County Area 159. ... The Baltic Germans (German: , Deutschbalten; literally German Balts) were ethnically German inhabitants of the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, which today forms the countries of Estonia and Latvia. ...

After the German Revolution, between 11 and 14 November 1918 the representatives of Germany formally handed over political power to the national government of Estonia. A new military invasion by the Bolshevist Russia followed a few days later, marking the beginning of the Estonian War of Independence. The first Bolshevist attacks at Narva on November 22nd were met by both German forces and Estonian defenders, but the Germans thereafter withdrew westwards. On November 28, the Red Army conducted an assault to capture the city with artillery support and, on November 29th, the Red Army captured Narva and Narva-Jõesuu. Estonian bolsheviks declared a regional local government in Narva under the name of the Estonian Workers' Commune (Eesti Töörahva Kommuun) The small, poorly armed Estonian defense force was initially pushed back by the Red Army into the vicinity of Tallinn, the capital. A mere 34 kilometers separated Tallinn and the front line. Partly due to the timely arrival of a shipment of arms brought by a British naval squadron (under Admiral Edwyn Alexander-Sinclair, succeeded by Admiral Walter Cowan) the Bolsheviks were stopped. In January 1919, the Estonians launched a counteroffensive under Commander-in-Chief Johan Laidoner. The Estonian Army was supported by the Royal Navy as well as Finnish, Swedish and Danish volunteers. By the end of February 1919, the Red Army had been expelled from all of the territory of Estonia. Karl Liebknecht on 9 November 1918 in the Berliner Tiergarten Statue of a revolutionary soldier, memorial to the German Revolution of 1918-1919 in East Berlin. ... Bolshevist Russia is a common term that refers to the Bolshevik side in the Russian Civil War, or more specifically the Russian government between the October Revolution (November 7, 1917) and the constitution of the Soviet Union (December 30, 1922). ... For other organizations known as the Red Army, see Red Army (disambiguation). ... The reconstructed fortress of Narva (to the left) overlooking the Russian fortress of Ivangorod (to the right). ... Location of Estonia Capital Narva Language(s) Estonian, Russian Government Socialist republic Chairman¹  - 1918-1919 Jaan Anvelt Legislature Soviet¹ History  - Established November 29, 1918  - Disestablished June 5, 1919 Currency Russian ruble² ¹ Chairman (esimees) of the Council of The Commune of the Working People of Estonia (Eesti Töörahva Kommuuni N... Sir Edwyn Alexander-Sinclair (1865 - 1945) was British admiral, who is known for leading a squadron of light cruisers in the Baltic to support independence of Estonia on 1918[1] Joined Royal Navy 1879 Commanding Osborne Naval College 1905-1908 World War I 1914-1918 Battle of Jutland 1916 3... Walter Henry Cowan (June 11, 1871 to February 14, 1956) was a British Admiral who saw service in World War One and was in World War Two the oldest British serviceman on active duty. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ...

Estonian troops also advanced into northern Latvia. The Latvians had declared independence like Estonia, but the pro-British government of Kārlis Ulmanis was toppled by the German general Rüdiger von der Goltz, who installed a pro-German puppet government of Andrievs Niedra in Riga in May 1919. This was possible because under the terms of their armistice with the Western Allies, the Germans had been obliged to maintain their armies in the East to counter the Bolshevik threat. The Baltic German Landeswehr military formation, together with the "Iron Division" of the regular German army, started to advance northwards and demanded that the Estonian army end the occupation of parts of northern Latvia. It was widely believed that the real intent of the Landeswehr was to annex Estonia into a German-dominated state like the United Baltic Duchy that had existed in 1918. In the fighting that ensued, the Baltic-German Landeswehr was defeated by the advancing Estonian Army in northern Latvia near the city of Cēsis in June 1919. (June 23, the anniversary of the Battle of Wenden (Võnnu in Estonian) is celebrated in Estonia as a national holiday "Victory Day.") Kārlis Ulmanis (b. ... Rüdiger von der Goltz Gustav Adolf Joachim Rüdiger Graf von der Goltz (born December 8, 1865, in Züllichau, Prussia [now Poland]; died November 4, 1946, in Kinsegg, Allgäu, Germany) was the commander of German units which played an instrumental role in the defeat of Russian Bolsheviks... Andrievs Niedra, formerly spelt Andreews Needra (b. ... Coordinates: , Founded 1201 Government  - Mayor Jānis Birks Area  - City 307. ... Official language German Capital Riga Regent Adolf Pilar von Pilchau Area ? km² Population ? Independance 12 April 1918 Admission 22 September 1918 (German State) National anthem ? The United Baltic Duchy (in German: Vereinigtes Baltisches Herzogtum) was a shortlived construct in 1918 made possible through Germanys occupation of Latvia and Estonia... CÄ“sis (German: Wenden) is a town in Latvia located in the northern part of the Vidzeme Central upland. ... is the 174th day of the year (175th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Victory Day is the name of a public holiday in various countries to commemorate the victory in an important battle or war in the countrys history. ...

Although Estonian forces had attained control over the territory of Estonia, the Bolsheviks were still active and the Estonian High Command decided to push their defense lines across the border into Russia. The offensive began on May 13th. By then, Estonian land, naval and air forces comprised 74,500 men, including a 3,000-strong White Russian Northern Corps. This had its origins back in the autumn of 1918, when a small White Russian force constituted with German consent in the Pskov area retreated from the Bolsheviks and joined up with Estonian national forces. The Estonian May offensive was extremely successful and the Northern Corps mobilized members of the local population on the Russian territory under their control. On June 19, 1919, the Estonian Commander-in-Chief General Laidoner removed the White Russians from his command and they were renamed the North-Western Army. Shortly afterwards General Nikolai N. Yudenich took command of these troops. The Trinity Cathedral (1682-99) is a symbol of Pskovs former might and independence. ... Nikolai Nikolayevich Yudenich (Николай Николаевич Юденич) (1862–1933), Infantry General (1915), leader of the counterrevolution in Northwestern Russia during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1920. ...

The Bolsheviks began a counter-offensive in July 1919, which regained much ground lost during the Estonian offensive, but the Northwestern Army survived. With arms provided by Britain and France and supported by the Estonian army, Estonian warships and the British Royal Navy, the Northwestern Army began an offensive on September 28, 1919, with the aim of capturing Petrograd. White Russian forces approached as close as ten miles from Petrograd, but the Bolshevik leader Leon Trotsky gathered "an army of workers and soldiers", which was able to repulse Yudenich's troops and force their retreat back into Estonia where the Estonians, fearing the danger presented by a potential armed mob, disarmed and interned them. The Bolsheviks continued to make determined assaults on fortified positions at the Estonian border, but exhausted themselves. A ceasefire came into effect on January 3, 1920. The Royal Navy is the navy of the United Kingdom. ...   (Russian: Лeв Давидович Трóцкий, Lev Davidovich Trotsky, also transliterated Leo, Lyev, Trotskii, Trotski, Trotskij, Trockij and Trotzky) (November 7 [O.S. October 26] 1879 – August 21, 1940), born Lev Davidovich Bronstein (), was a Ukrainian-born Bolshevik revolutionary and Marxist theorist. ...

On February 2, 1920, the Peace Treaty of Tartu was signed by the Republic of Estonia and Bolshevist Russia. At this point Bolshevist regime had not been recognized by any Western power. The terms of the treaty stated that Bolshevist Russia renounced in perpetuity all rights to the territory of Estonia. The agreed frontier corresponded roughly with the position of the front line at the cessation of hostilities. In particular, Estonia retained a strategic strip to the east of the Narva river (Narvataguse) and Setumaa in the southeast, areas which were lost in early 1945 - shortly after Soviet troops had taken control of Estonia, when Moscow transferred land East of the Narva River and most of Estonia's Pechory county (Setumaa) to the RSFSR. is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... The Treaties of Tartu were treaties between Bolshevist Russia on one side and the recently independent Estonia and Finland, formerly belonging to Imperial Russia, on the other. ... Bolshevist Russia is a common term that refers to the Bolshevik side in the Russian Civil War, or more specifically the Russian government between the October Revolution (November 7, 1917) and the constitution of the Soviet Union (December 30, 1922). ... Pechory (Russian: Печоры, Estonian: Petseri) is a town located in Pskovsky Oblast, Russia. ...

Substantial British involvement in the struggle in the Baltic region in 1918-19 as part of the Allied Intervention in the Russian Civil War took several forms: Britain, France, Canada and the United States, along with other World War I Allied countries, conducted a military intervention into the Russian Civil War during the period of 1918 through 1920. ...

• British naval forces in December 1918, after lobbying in London by Estonian politicians, brought needed military equipment, training and also artillery support from Royal Navy ships;
• British protection of the Estonian left flank by naval action in the Gulf of Finland. Among other operations, British motor torpedo boats in conjuction with RAF aircraft conducted the first combined air/sea assault in history on the Bolshevik fleet in Kronstadt^[2] torpedoing several Bolshevik warships at the cost of 3 boats. British officer Augustus Agar won a Victoria Cross for sinking a Soviet cruiser and then a DSO for leading a second attack that sank two major warships;
• Equipment supplied by the British to the White Russian Northwestern Army included six tanks together with their crews, who were the only British troops to fight alongside the Northwestern Army. British tank crews are said to have got closer to Petrograd (formerly Saint Petersburg) in the autumn of 1919 than German Panzer crews did in World War II.

The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore the Senior Service). ... The Baltic Sea The Gulf of Finland is an arm of the Baltic Sea that extends between Finland (to the north) and Estonia (to the south) all the way to the city of Saint Petersburg in Russia, where the river Neva drains into it. ... Motor Torpedo Boats (MTB) was the name given to fast torpedo boats by the US and Royal Navies. ... The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. ... 1888 map of Kronstadt bay Kronstadt (Russian: ), or Kronshtadt, Cronstadt, is a strongly fortified Russian seaport town, located on Kotlin Island, near the head of the Gulf of Finland, at , . It lies thirty kilometers west of Saint Petersburg, of which it is the chief port. ... Photo submitted by Simon Manchee Commodore Augustus Willington Shelton Agar, VC, DSO, RN (1890-1968) was a noted Royal Navy officer in both World War I and World War II and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the... The Victoria Cross (VC) is a military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemy to members of armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. ... DSO medal The Distinguished Service Order (DSO) is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other Commonwealth countries, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat. ... Saint Petersburg  listen (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991... Saint Petersburg (Russian: Санкт-Петербу́рг, English transliteration: Sankt-Peterburg), colloquially known as Питер (transliterated Piter), formerly known as Leningrad (Ленингра́д, 1924–1991) and... Panzer IV Ausf. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000...

See also

• History of Estonia
• Latvian War of Independence
• Lithuanian Wars of Independence
• League of Liberators

The land area that now makes up Estonia was settled immediately after the Ice Age, beginning from around 8500 BC. After being conquered by Danish and German crusaders in 1227, Estonia was ruled initially in the north by Danes, then by German Bishops. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Freedom wars (also, War of Independence) refers to the three wars Lithuania had to fight defending its independence from the opposing forces at the end of World War I. Since 1795 Lithuania was part of the Russian Empire. ... The League of Liberators was an Estonian association of veterans of the war against the Soviets. ...

External links

• Estonica: Emergence of Estonian independence
• Estonian War of Independence
• The Baltic States from 1914 to 1923: The First World War and the Wars of IndependencePDF (1.24 MiB) - in Baltic Defence Review No.8 Volume 2/2002

The Portable Document Format (PDF) is the file format created by Adobe Systems in 1993 for document exchange. ... A mebibyte (a contraction of mega binary byte) is a unit of information or computer storage, abbreviated MiB. 1 MiB = 220 bytes = 1,048,576 bytes = 1,024 kibibytes 1 MiB = 1024 (= 210) kibibytes (KiB), and 1024 MiB equal one gibibyte (GiB). ...

References