Estonia during the Soviet Estonia during the Soviet rule 1940-1991rule 1940-1991

Mai-Liis NiitMai-Liis Niit

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HistoryHistory

• The events of the summer of 1940 The events of the summer of 1940 interrupted everything that had been interrupted everything that had been achieved: in June 1940, as a consequence achieved: in June 1940, as a consequence of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, signed of the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, signed on August 23, 1939, Soviet Army on August 23, 1939, Soviet Army occupied Estonia and in August the occupied Estonia and in August the country was incorporated into the Soviet country was incorporated into the Soviet Union. Union.

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• On June 14 and July 1, 1941, more than On June 14 and July 1, 1941, more than one thousand people from Saaremaa were one thousand people from Saaremaa were deported to Siberia. In the middle of deported to Siberia. In the middle of September German troops landed on the September German troops landed on the island of Muhu. By the beginning of island of Muhu. By the beginning of October Saaremaa was occupied, October Saaremaa was occupied, remaining under German rule for three remaining under German rule for three years. years.

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• In 1944, before Soviet Army reached In 1944, before Soviet Army reached Saaremaa, many islanders fled Estonia Saaremaa, many islanders fled Estonia and took refuge in Western countries, and took refuge in Western countries, mainly in Sweden. 2000-3000 residents mainly in Sweden. 2000-3000 residents of Sõrve peninsula were deported to of Sõrve peninsula were deported to Germany; less than half of them could Germany; less than half of them could returned years later.returned years later.

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• During the postwar period the fate of During the postwar period the fate of Saaremaa was strongly influenced by the fact Saaremaa was strongly influenced by the fact that the island lay on the western border of a that the island lay on the western border of a huge totalitarian state - the U.S.S.R. Saaremaa huge totalitarian state - the U.S.S.R. Saaremaa was restricted zone and therefore strict was restricted zone and therefore strict limitations were put on navigation and liberty limitations were put on navigation and liberty to move on the island even for the ordinary to move on the island even for the ordinary Estonians, not to speak of foreigners. Estonians, not to speak of foreigners.

History5History5• On November 16, 1988, the Declaration On November 16, 1988, the Declaration of the Sovereignty of Estonian SSR was of the Sovereignty of Estonian SSR was passed, which marked the beginning of passed, which marked the beginning of peaceful struggle to regain the country's peaceful struggle to regain the country's independence. On August 20, 1991, the independence. On August 20, 1991, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia declared the state an independent Estonia declared the state an independent Republic.Republic.