Okupatsioonivõim

Okupatsioonivõim refers to the governing authority established by an occupying power in a territory it has militarily controlled. This term is commonly used in Estonian historiography to describe periods when Estonia was under foreign occupation. Specifically, it most frequently pertains to the Soviet and Nazi German occupations during World War II.

During these periods, the occupying power imposed its own administrative structures, legal systems, and often its ideology upon the occupied population. Local governance was either dissolved or heavily influenced by the occupiers. Economic resources were often exploited for the benefit of the occupying state. The presence of an okupatsioonivõim typically involved significant restrictions on civil liberties, including freedom of speech, assembly, and movement. Repression and persecution of perceived opponents were common tactics employed by such regimes.

The concept of okupatsioonivõim highlights the illegitimate nature of the foreign rule and its disruptive impact on the sovereignty and national life of the occupied territory. It is a term laden with historical memory and national sentiment in Estonia, reflecting a period of profound hardship and struggle for independence. Understanding the actions and characteristics of the okupatsioonivõim is crucial for comprehending Estonia's 20th-century history and its path to restoring statehood.