Turuülekande

Turuülekande, also known as the Estonian Independence War, was a significant conflict that took place in Estonia from 1918 to 1920. The war was a result of the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to the collapse of the Russian Empire and the subsequent establishment of the Estonian Republic. The Estonian Republic declared independence on February 24, 1918, but it was not recognized by the Bolshevik government in Russia. This led to a period of instability and conflict as the new republic sought to assert its independence.

The war began in February 1918 when the Bolshevik Red Army invaded Estonia, aiming to establish a communist regime. The Estonian forces, led by the Estonian Army and supported by the White Army of Admiral Alexander Kolchak, fought against the Red Army. The war was characterized by guerrilla warfare, as the Estonian forces were outnumbered and outgunned. Despite the odds, the Estonians managed to hold out against the Red Army for over a year.

The turning point of the war came in November 1918 when the German Empire, which had occupied Estonia in 1917, intervened on the side of the Estonian Republic. The German forces, along with the Estonian Army, pushed back the Red Army and eventually drove them out of Estonia in February 1919. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Tartu in October 1920, which recognized the independence of the Estonian Republic and established its borders.

The Turuülekande had a profound impact on the development of Estonia, shaping its political, economic, and social landscape. It solidified the country's independence and laid the foundation for the modern Estonian state. The war is commemorated annually in Estonia, with parades and ceremonies held to honor the soldiers who fought for the country's freedom.