Today Estonia celebrates 95 years since Treaty of Tartu was signed between Estonia and Russia in 2nd February 1920, ending the War of Independence. Estonia was the first democratic country to sign an official agreement with the Bolshevik regime and it was a first time Estonia got it's independence from Russia.
The wish to end the War of Independence in Estonia was evident by the summer of 1919, but the government had to consider the countries of the Entente and its neighbors, who did not approve of peace talks with the Bolsheviks. The breakthrough was brought about by the failed attack of the White Russian North-western Army in autumn 1919. This affected the Estonian military-political situation of Estonia and changed the attitude of the Western countries. Peace talks in Tartu started on 5 December 1919. The Estonian delegation was headed by Jaan Poska, and the Russian by Leonid Krassin (later Adolf Joffe). The main obstacles were differences on the border question – the Bolsheviks demanded Setumaa and the eastern part of Virumaa – and increased Russian military pressure, in the hope of securing a better position at the talks. An armistice was achieved on 31 December 1919 and the final peace treaty was signed on 2 February 1920. In the treaty, Russia recognized Estonian independence; all areas settled by Estonians were accepted as part of Estonia (including Setumaa and Narva). Russia gave up its possessions in the Republic of Estonia, agreed to return the treasures evacuated from Estonia, and ceded 15 million gold roubles to Estonia. The two countries established diplomatic relations.
More about Peace Treaty of Tartu can be read in Wikisource, where also articles have been taken out. Also from Histrodamus, where can see the road to our Independence.
That independence lasted until 23 August 1939, when Molotov-Ribbentrop pact was signed under in Moscow and Estonia together with other countries was annexed by Soviet again. Now, we are independent again and it feels good. It is good to see, how much Estonia has gain and achieved with this independence and how much more the small country can achieve in the future. I am very proud to be an Estonian.
Love,
Ingrit
