The Soviet Union’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs Vyacheslav Molotov and Nazi Germany’s Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop signed a non-aggression pact on August 23, 1939. The accord, commonly called the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (MRP) made the Third Reich and the USSR allies, mutually agreeing to carve up Eastern Europe – Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania for Moscow; Poland to be divided between Berlin as well as Moscow.
On September 1, 1939 Germany invaded Poland from the west and seventeen days later the Soviet Union attacked from the east. Less than a month and a half later Moscow sent 250,000 Soviet troops to attack Finland on November 30th. The partners in aggression had partially fulfilled the goals as outlined in the MRP. WWII had begun.
Although Nazi Germany is generally held to be the main instigator of WWII in Europe, without Moscow’s enthusiastic blessing, it’s doubtful Germany would have invaded Poland. How can the USSR not be deemed an initiator of hostilities and a co-belligerent in initiating WWII?
The USSR blatantly coerced Estonia into a mutual assistance pact on September 28, 1939 whereby 25,000 Soviet troops were allowed onto air, sea and land bases in Estonia. Active Estonian military totaled 15,000 at the time. Molotov’s threat was clear: “Do not compel the Soviet Union to use force in order to achieve her aims.”
The pact also stipulated that the Soviet garrisons not exceed 25,000 men; the economic and political systems were to remain untouched; the 1920 Tartu Peace Treaty and the non-aggression treaty of 1932 were to form the basis of the relationship between the two countries. (The Tartu Peace Treaty bound the USSR not to use force against Estonia for perpetuity.)
After forging the agreement Joseph Stalin cynically commented: “… it could have happened to you what happened to Poland. (Had Estonia not signed the treaty.) Where is Poland now?”
The New York Times made an ominous statement on Sept 29th, 1939: “The little Baltic Republic had passed under the full domination of the Soviet Union.” In a few short months the de facto subjugation of Estonia would be complete.
Although initially Soviet troops were kept isolated from the public, Estonian sovereignty was brazenly violated. The Soviets quickly established contacts with the underground communist movement and recruited agents for local subversion.
Recent access to previously secret Soviet archival documents in St. Petersburg confirm what many historians have consistently maintained: Russian claims that the USSR’s geopolitical maneuverings, by invading foreign territory, were necessary for the security and integrity of the state, that Nazi Germany and also the West were not to be trusted are totally disingenuous.
Helping to discredit the Russian position is the discovery of a 1940 Soviet naval operational plan that details offensive military operations in case Estonia was not to be coerced into submission. Air attacks were to target naval stations on two small Estonian islands guarding the approaches to Tallinn harbour. This was to be followed by invasions of the islands with the Soviet navy blockading the harbour until the arrival of the Red Army. The naval operations against Estonia and also Latvia included 120 Soviet vessels including 17 submarines. A formidable force to be deployed against tiny neighbours. (With minor exceptions the coercion process aimed against Latvia and Lithuania were mirror images of the Soviet operational plan against Estonia.)
At a recent seminar on the topic in Finland professor Martti Turtola commented: “The Russians were prepared for any desperate Estonian military resistance.”
The next article in this series looks at the significance of Soviet directive 02622.
The Estonian Central Council’s first “Meel ja mälu” (Mind & memory) event to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the occupation and illegal annexation of Estonia is scheduled for Sept. 8th at 1:00 pm at the Toronto Estonian House.
Occupation or voluntary accession? (Part 2) (2)
Archived Articles | 22 Jul 2005 | Estonian Central Council in CanadaEWR
Viimased kommentaarid
Kommentaarid on kirjutatud EWR lugejate poolt. Nende sisu ei pruugi ühtida EWR toimetuse seisukohtadega.
the soviets/russians are trying to re-write history ... the baltic nations were occupied,and their people were murdered imprisioned and deported, they did not voluntarily join the soviet union .... and you may be right that the eu will sell out the balts ... hopefully nato does not murderedvoluntarily r the non important point that does needs to be maintained in
So what?? We all know this history, though perhaps for a few who don't, thanks for another repeat performance. The hottest question on the political table at the moment is; how the hell is the Estonia-Russa border agreement going to conclude, and will the EU pull its weight behind Estonia. I bet 10:1 that come crunch time the EU will back Russia!
Archived Articles
TRENDING
