History of the Ministry of Defence

The fascinating and varied history of the Estonian Ministry of Defence dates back to the beginning of the Republic of Estonia, on February 24, 1918.

When is the anniversary of the Estonian Ministry of Defence? In one sense, this question is pointless – the Ministry of Defence is as old as the Republic of Estonia itself, as on February 24, 1918, the Estonian Salvation Committee's decision led to the formation of the Provisional Government, which included the position of Minister of War, and Colonel Andres Larka was appointed to this office.

However, the ministry was not established that day because the following day, the imperial German army occupied Tallinn, which did not recognise Estonia's independence. Therefore, the anniversary of the Ministry of Defence as an institution can be considered from autumn 1918, when, after the departure of German troops, the Provisional Government of Estonia began exercising actual state power on Estonian territory.

On November 11, 1918, the Provisional Government announced that its previously interrupted activities had resumed. The next day, the Land Council temporarily appointed the members of the Provisional Government until the Council would convene. In this composition, General Andres Larka was appointed Minister of War, and he signed the decision to convene the Estonian National Army on November 16, 1918, as the first act published in the State Gazette. This decision was countersigned by Jaan Poska, Deputy Prime Minister.

On November 24, 1918, Konstantin Päts announced the new composition of the Provisional Government during a meeting of the Land Council, with himself as both the head and Minister of War. On November 26, 1918, General Staff Major General Andres Larka was appointed Chief of Staff. However, on November 29, 1918, he still issued an order in his capacity as Minister of War.

One of the first senior officials in the Ministry of War was the assistant to the minister, Tõnis Jürine. From 1918 to 1940, the minister’s assistant was not a referent or advisor, as the title might suggest, but a deputy who had the authority to sign on behalf of the minister. Tõnis Jürine served as assistant minister from November 1918 to June 1919. He then continued as a lawyer and was one of the founders of the Estonian Council of Sworn Attorneys. He had government experience, having been elected to the Russian II State Duma in 1907.

Supreme Commander with vast power

In wartime, the supreme power was vested in the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. By a decree from the Provisional Government on December 17, 1918, "the powers of the Supreme Commander for maintaining order and security in Tallinn and the counties of Harju, Lääne, and Järva were handed over to General Põdder, who had the authority to take any measures he saw fit to maintain order and security." The institution of the Supreme Commander differed from the position of the Chief of Staff in that the Supreme Commander also had responsibilities that, in peacetime, belonged to civilian authorities, particularly in the area of internal security. One of General Põdder’s first orders was: "I ask all those who value their lives to avoid unnecessary gatherings in public places." Less than a week later, on December 23, 1918, Johan Laidoner was appointed "Supreme Commander of all military forces."

During wartime, the power of the Supreme Commander was broad. For instance, the promotion of officers and appointments to positions in Estonia was under the authority of the government until the establishment of the authoritarian regime in 1934. On February 25, 1919, the Provisional Government transferred the authority for the appointment and dismissal of officers, doctors, and officials to the Supreme Commander.

In May 1919, after a change in government, Otto Strandman became the head and Minister of War. In November 1919, Jaan Tõnisson became Prime Minister, and August Hanko became the Minister of War in his government

Ministry between wars

The Ministry of War – later the Ministry of Defence – began to exercise all its authority after the War of Independence. On March 21, 1920, the government decided to dissolve the Supreme Command as an independent institution, transferring its powers to the Minister of War. Between 1920 and 1934, various people served as the Minister of War (later Minister of Defence), including generals such as Aleksander Tõnisson, Ants Piip, Jaan Soots, Ado Anderkop, and others.

Until the authoritarian regime was established by Konstantin Päts in 1934, Estonia was a very democratic country, including in its relationship between the Ministry of Defence and the military. Civilian control was ensured, even though several generals held ministerial positions.

In March 1934, after Päts consolidated power, he appointed Johan Laidoner as the Supreme Commander again. With the re-establishment of the institution of the Supreme Commander, the role of the Ministry of Defence (later Ministry of War again from 1937/38) was reduced. Paul Lill served as minister until 1939, and from 1939 to 1940, General Lieutenant Nikolai Reek served as Minister of War during the so-called "base era."

The origins of the Ministry of Defence were already debated before World War II. A publication from 1934, Activities of Government Institutions 1918–1934, states quite vaguely: "The formation of the Ministry of Defence and the national armed forces began in the spring of 1917. Due to the revolutionary events that autumn, the organisation of national armed forces became more difficult and had to be fully suspended during the German occupation in April 1918. The opportunity to form the defence forces again appeared in November 1918. […] The general leadership and governance of the armed forces, local military commands, and the organisation of military units was shaped during the War of Independence according to wartime needs and requirements." Therefore, the anniversary of the Ministry of Defence is a matter of agreement.