Social impact
World War 2 greatly impacted Estonia. The war led to Estonia becoming a Soviet Socialist Republic, which changed the lifestyle of Estonians. Before considering the Sovietisation of social life, the war alone impacted society considering there was about 180 000 direct human losses, which is about 17% of the population. These losses include people who were executed, imprisoned, deported, mobilised, killed in action, evacuated and who fled. There is also a general hatred towards the Soviets for destroying the independence of Estonia. Hope was lost in restoring independence due to the suppression of the resistance movement. This era was filled with general terror throughout the country as there were frequent deportations, including the widespread deportation of March 1949 in which 20,000 people were sent to Siberia.
The era directly after the war is normally classified as “Late Stalinism” which lasted until 1953. The period of Late Stalinism included a Sovietisation of social life. Sovietisation modernised Estonia into Soviet modernity. It basically restructured the patterns of everyday life into the Soviet model. There was an improvement in medical conditions, higher levels of education and urbanisation. There was also a change in gender roles with women taking more responsibility. Although there were positives, the new system overall lacked freedom of expression. In conclusion, in the short term, many new patterns of life were introduced for the better and for the worse.
Throughout the cold war era, there was constant stress of danger between the USSR and Western countries. This greatly affected Estonia since they were on the border of two sides. Due to this, Estonia was covered in Soviet military bases. This also led to additional Estonian men being conscripted to the army.
Sovietisation overall hindered the development of the nation. Estonia remained as a Socialist Republic until 1991, in which point in time lost its position in GDP per capita compared to other European countries. Countries like Finland that had very similar economies before World War 2 greatly surpassed Estonia by the time Estonia originally gained back there independence. This goes to show that Sovietisation negatively impacted Estonia and hindered development in the long term.
Throughout the cold war era, there was constant stress of danger between the USSR and Western countries. This greatly affected Estonia since they were on the border of two sides. Due to this, Estonia was covered in Soviet military bases. This also led to additional Estonian men being conscripted to the army.
Sovietisation overall hindered the development of the nation. Estonia remained as a Socialist Republic until 1991, in which point in time lost its position in GDP per capita compared to other European countries. Countries like Finland that had very similar economies before World War 2 greatly surpassed Estonia by the time Estonia originally gained back there independence. This goes to show that Sovietisation negatively impacted Estonia and hindered development in the long term.