The Second World War
The first period of independence lasted 22 years, beginning in 1918. Estonia had pursued a policy of neutrality, but it was of no consequence after the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact on August 23, 1939 in which the two great powers agreed to divide up the countries situated between them with Estonia falling in the Soviet "sphere of influence".
- 1940–1945, World War II
- 1941, the Summer War
- 1944, heavy battles and attempt to restore independence
- 1945–1978, the Partisan War against the Soviet Union
Read more about this topic: List Of Estonian Wars
Famous quotes containing the words the second, world and/or war:
“I will name you the degrees. The first, the Retort Courteous; the second, the Quip Modest; the third, the Reply Churlish; the fourth, the Reproof Valiant; the fifth, the Countercheck Quarrelsome; the sixth, the Lie with Circumstance; the seventh, the Lie Direct.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“All the world over, I will back the masses against the classes.”
—W.E. (William Ewart)
“Testimony of all ages forces us to admit that war is among the most dangerous enemies to liberty, and that the executive is the branch most favored by it of all the branches of Power.”
—James Madison (1751–1836)