Historical Timeline

Timeline of Estonia

43 dated events spanning the recorded history of Estonia.

Chronology

43 events spanning the history of Estonia. BCE/CE dating.

1 – 100
Early Baltic peoples experience rapid cultural progress.
Early Baltic peoples experience rapid cultural progress and expansion of trade with Roman Empire and Germanic tribes.
701 – 1300
Scandinavian Vikings and, subsequently, Slavic tribes engage in trade and war with Baltic peoples.
Scandinavian Vikings and, subsequently, Slavic tribes engage in trade and war with Baltic peoples.
1343 – 1345
Estonian peasant uprising prompts Danes to relinquish control of northern Estonia to Germans.
Estonian peasant uprising prompts Danes to relinquish control of northern Estonia to Germans.
1584
Northern Estonia incorporated into Sweden’s Duchy of Estland.
Northern Estonia incorporated into Sweden’s Duchy of Estland.
1710
Russian tsar Peter I (the Great) succeeds in wresting control of Estland and Livland.
Russian tsar Peter I (the Great) succeeds in wresting control of Estland and Livland (southern Estonia and northern Latvia) from Sweden.
1816 – 1819
Serfdom formally abolished in Estland and Livland.
Serfdom formally abolished in Estland and Livland.
1905
Tsarist Russian authorities respond with violence and repression to Baltic demands.
Tsarist Russian authorities respond with violence and repression to Baltic demands for radical political change during Revolution of 1905.
1917
Tsar Nicholas II abdicates Russian throne; tsarist regime collapses.
Tsar Nicholas II abdicates Russian throne; tsarist regime collapses. Russian provisional government allows Estonia’s territorial unification as one province. Bolsheviks take power in Russia and make significant political inroads in Baltic region.
1918 – 1920
Baltic states engage in war to defend independence.
Baltic states engage in war to defend independence; Bolshevik, White Russian, German, Polish, and other forces struggle for control of territories.
1918
Estonia and Lithuania proclaim independence.
Estonia and Lithuania proclaim independence.

1920
Baltic states sign peace treaties with Soviet Russia.
Baltic states sign peace treaties with Soviet Russia; Moscow recognizes their independence and renounces all claims to their territories.
1920 – 1922
Land reform carried out in Baltic states. Democratic constitutions introduced.
Land reform carried out in Baltic states. Democratic constitutions introduced.
1921
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania admitted to League of Nations.
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania admitted to League of Nations.
1924
Soviet-backed communist coup attempt in Estonia fails.
Soviet-backed communist coup attempt in Estonia fails.
1934
State of emergency declared in Estonia and Latvia.
State of emergency declared in Estonia and Latvia amidst growing political instability; parliaments suspended and authoritarian regimes introduced.
1939
Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact signed.
Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact signed; Estonia, Latvia, and, soon, Lithuania assigned to Soviet sphere of influence.

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Timeline of Estonia

Chronology

Early Baltic peoples experience rapid cultural progress.

Scandinavian Vikings and, subsequently, Slavic tribes engage in trade and war with Baltic peoples.

Estonian peasant uprising prompts Danes to relinquish control of northern Estonia to Germans.

Northern Estonia incorporated into Sweden’s Duchy of Estland.

Russian tsar Peter I (the Great) succeeds in wresting control of Estland and Livland.

Serfdom formally abolished in Estland and Livland.

Tsarist Russian authorities respond with violence and repression to Baltic demands.

Tsar Nicholas II abdicates Russian throne; tsarist regime collapses.

Baltic states engage in war to defend independence.

Estonia and Lithuania proclaim independence.