Estonian War of Independence

The 1918–1920 conflict in which Estonia defended its independence against Soviet Russia and other forces after the collapse of the Russian Empire.

Estonian Declaration of Independence: The 1918 proclamation establishing Estonia as an independent democratic republic. The declaration preceded the war and gave Estonia’s defense its political aim.
Russian Revolution: The revolutions of 1917 that ended the Russian monarchy and brought the Bolsheviks to power. The upheaval weakened imperial authority and transformed Estonia’s political prospects.
Konstantin Päts: An Estonian statesman who became the country’s first head of government in 1918. He led the provisional government as Estonia organized resistance and state institutions.
Republic of Estonia: A sovereign state established in 1918 on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea. The war defended the new republic and made its independence effective.
Estonian Army: The military force organized by the Republic of Estonia during its independence struggle. Its mobilization and battlefield operations formed the core of Estonia’s defense.
German occupation of Estonia: The occupation of Estonia by German forces from 1918 until their withdrawal after World War I. German rule delayed Estonian self-government and shaped the conditions of the 1918 declaration.
Johan Laidoner: An Estonian general who commanded the armed forces during much of the War of Independence. His command directed the army’s major operations against Soviet and German forces.
Soviet–Estonian relations: The political and diplomatic relationship between Estonia and the Soviet Union. The 1920 peace established the relationship’s first formal basis.
Baltic German Landeswehr: A military force formed by Baltic German units in Latvia during the aftermath of World War I. Its 1919 conflict with Estonia opened a second front against a rival force.
Bolshevik Revolution: The October 1917 seizure of power in Russia by the Bolsheviks. The new Soviet government sought control over Estonia after German forces withdrew.

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