suurgrupp

Suurgrupp, also known as the Estonian Supreme Council (*Eesti Ülemnõukogu*), was the provisional governing body of Estonia established during the country’s struggle for independence from Soviet rule. Formed on March 24, 1919, in Pärnu, it succeeded the earlier Estonian National Council (*Eesti Rahvusnõukogu*), which had been created in 1917 to represent Estonian interests during World War I.

The Suurgrupp consisted of 130 delegates elected by local assemblies across Estonia, including representatives from various political factions such as the Estonian Social Democratic Workers' Party, the Estonian Peasants' Union, and the Estonian People’s Party. Its primary role was to provide political leadership and coordination during the Estonian War of Independence (1918–1920), when the newly declared Republic of Estonia faced occupation by Bolshevik and German forces. The Suurgrupp oversaw military strategy, diplomatic efforts, and the administration of liberated territories, working closely with the Estonian government-in-exile and later the provisional government led by Konstantin Päts.

After Estonia regained full sovereignty in 1920, the Suurgrupp’s authority was gradually transferred to the newly elected Constituent Assembly, which drafted the country’s first democratic constitution. The Suurgrupp officially dissolved in 1920, having played a crucial role in establishing the foundations of modern Estonia. Its legacy is remembered as a pivotal moment in the nation’s fight for self-determination and democratic governance. Today, it is studied as a key historical milestone in Estonian political history.