Prominent Figure
Estonia overall did not come out successful in World War 2 as they were taken over three times. They lost their independence, but did attempt to bring it back from the Soviets. One prominent figure to Estonia is Jüri Uluots who was the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1939 – 1940. President Konstantin Päts was arrested and deported to Russia in July, and by Estonian constitution, declared Jüri Uluots as a Prime Minister in duties of a President. He was a figure of the Estonian underground resistance movement who had the goal to restore independence to their nation.
Around the beginning of 1944, Jüri Uluots called upon Estonians to intentionally get mobilised into the German army in hope of being able to use German weapons to hold off the Soviets and regain their independence. Half of the Estonian troops that went to Finland returned to assist in the attempt at independence. On March 23, 1944 the National Committee of the Republic of Estonia was formed. The Germans left Estonia on September 16, 1944, and within one day the Soviets set foot on it again. On September 18, 1944, Jüri Uluots appointed a new government run by Otto Tief. When the Germans evacuated Tallinn the national flag was raised on the Pikk Hermann Tower. Although the government declared neutrality over the radio, the Soviets suppressed the movement. Within 5 days of the Soviets re-entering, the flag raised on the Pikk Hermann Tower was torn and replaced with the Soviet banner.
Although the resistance movement was a failure, Jüri Uluots bravely risked his life in gathering a whole nation together to restore independence.
Around the beginning of 1944, Jüri Uluots called upon Estonians to intentionally get mobilised into the German army in hope of being able to use German weapons to hold off the Soviets and regain their independence. Half of the Estonian troops that went to Finland returned to assist in the attempt at independence. On March 23, 1944 the National Committee of the Republic of Estonia was formed. The Germans left Estonia on September 16, 1944, and within one day the Soviets set foot on it again. On September 18, 1944, Jüri Uluots appointed a new government run by Otto Tief. When the Germans evacuated Tallinn the national flag was raised on the Pikk Hermann Tower. Although the government declared neutrality over the radio, the Soviets suppressed the movement. Within 5 days of the Soviets re-entering, the flag raised on the Pikk Hermann Tower was torn and replaced with the Soviet banner.
Although the resistance movement was a failure, Jüri Uluots bravely risked his life in gathering a whole nation together to restore independence.