Estonia: Demographics


Figure 1.--Until World War II there was a substantial Ferman population in Tallin and other cities. This boy is aLedx and had his portraiot taken just agyer World War I in 1921, Onki-Jarvi (Estonia) 1921--28/II.1921. Alex apparently sent a copy to his girl friend. The caption on the back read, "Meiner lieben Freulein zum Andeken von Alex."

The demographic structure of Estonia is complicated. The area was dominated by the Estonians in the Middle Ages. War II the Estonian population was about 1.1 million. The population was made up largely of Estonians and Russians. The Estoniams are destinct from the population of the other Baltic Republics (Latvia and Lithuanian). The Estonians are more relasted to the Finns and their language Finno-Ugric language. Although Estonia is geographically grouped as Baltic Republic, culturaly and ethnically, they are not related to the other two Baltic Republics. Redish hair and blue eyes are common in Estonia. The Germans moved east in the Medieval era and helpfed found many coastal cities. Thre Gernans dominated the cities along the southern coast of the Baltics. The cities became memnbers of the Hanseatic League. The Tsars seized control of the Baltics in the Great Norther War. Tsarist officials, however, dis nor attempt to alter the demographic ballance. Unlike the other Ba;tic Republics, there were very few Jews in Estonia. Estonia like the other Baltic republics achieved independence as a result of the turmoil associated with World War I and the Russian Revolution. At the time the population was primarily ethnic Estonians. The NAZI-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact (1939) permitted Stalin to carry out a series of aggressions, including the occupation of Estonia (1940). Stalin ordered the KGB to arrest and deport many Estonians. Many never returned. Stalin also encouraged the emmigration of ethnic Russians to alter the ethnic ballance. Many Russians came to Estonia because living conditions were generally above that common in Russia. As a result, after World War II the poulation of Russians increased substantially and affected the ethnic ballance in the country. This is a major issue in Estonia today.

Ethnic Groups

The demographic structure of Estonia is complicated. The area was dominated by the Estonians in the Middle Ages. War II the Estonian population was about 1.1 million. The population was made up largely of Estonians and Russians. The Estoniams are destinct from the population of the other Baltic Republics (Latvia and Lithuanian). The Estonians are more relasted to the Finns and their language Finno-Ugric language. Although Estonia is geographically grouped as Baltic Republic, culturaly and ethnically, they are not related to the other two Baltic Republics. Redish hair and blue eyes are common in Estonia. The Germans moved east in the Medieval era and helpfed found many coastal cities. Thre Gernans dominated the cities along the southern coast of the Baltics. The cities became memnbers of the Hanseatic League. The Tsars seized control of the Baltics in the Great Norther War. Tsarist officials, however, dis nor attempt to alter the demographic ballance. Unlike the other Ba;tic Republics, there were very few Jews in Estonia. Estonia like the other Baltic republics achieved independence as a result of the turmoil associated with World War I and the Russian Revolution. At the time the population was still primarily ethnic Estonians.

Soviet Russification

Hiler and Stalin divided up Eastern and Central Europe as part of the The NAZI-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact (1939). The Pact placed Estonia and Latvia within the Soviet sphere of influence. There was a disagrteement over Lithuania. This permitted Stalin to carry out a series of aggressions, including the occupation of Estonia (1940). Stalin set out to Russify Estonia after seizing control. Stalin ordered the KGB to arrest and deport many Estonians. Many never returned. Stalin also encouraged the emmigration of ethnic Russians to alter the ethnic ballance. Hitler orderd the Gedrmand 'Home to the Reic' (1939). The process of Russification was only beginning when the Germas invased (1941). Stalin resumed the process after the War (1945). Many Russians came to Estonia because living conditions were generally above that common in Russia. As a result, after World War II the poulation of Russians increased substantially and affected the ethnic ballance in the country. This is a major issue in Estonia today.








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Created: 8:49 AM 3/10/2011
Last updated: 8:49 AM 3/10/2011