Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Brief History. The forefathers of present day Estonians were Esti tribes organised in small states vaguely federal in the first century AD. In 1219 King Waldemar II of Denmark invaded northern Estonia, but following a peasant revolt in 1343-1345, the Danish crown had to cede the northern territories of Estonia to Teutonic horsemen already in control of the southern part of the region Livonia (Latvia). In 1561 Estonians passed under the protection of the Swedish crown with Poland in control of the south. In 1645, the whole of Estonia passed under Swedish rule.
In 1710 Estonia was occupied by Russia and ceded to Sweden in 1721. In the 19th century Estonian patriotism began to emerge. After the Russian Revolution 1917, the temporary government granted the Estonians independence however the country was again invaded by the Bolshevists later put to flight by the Germans. Independence declared on 24 February 1918 lasted until 1940.
In June 1940 the Red Army occupied Estonia and the other two Baltic States, Latvia and Lithuania. Estonia became a Republic of the U. S.S.R. and was subjected to intense Russian brainwashing. As with Latvia, Germany invaded Estonia in 1941 and military occupation ended in September 1944 with the withdrawal of the Soviet troops. During 45 years of Communist regime, over 60.000 Estonians fled to Sweden and Germany. With the fall of U.S.S.R. in 1991, Estonia, following the example of Latvia and Lithuania, regained its independence and became a member of the United Nations. In 1994 Russian troops began to withdraw from Estonia. In 1995 Estonia applied for membership in the European Union and became a member.
Ethnic Estonians comprise 67.9% of the population today, ethnic Russians are 25.6%. Together they form 93.5% of the people. In the Baltic States, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the tongue spoken by the majority is the official language (Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian); (Estonia 67.9%) (Lithuania 75.5%) and in Latvia the official language is the language of a 54.5% majority. Other ethnic groups in Estonia include: 2.1% Ukrainian 1.3% Belo Russian, 0.9% Finnish, 0.2% Tatar Latvians (0,2%), Poles (0,2%), Lithuanians (0,1%), Germans (0,1%). Present also Armenians, Azerbaijans, Moldavians, Uzbeks, Swedes, Georgians. (to be continued) (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/1/2007 - righe 31, parole 423)
