Soviet rule is declared in Estonia

21. July 1940

On July 17, Zhdanov met with his colleagues in Latvia and Lithuania. On the same day, several high standing state officials were presented with Zhanov's ultimatum: to join Estonia to Soviet Union as quickly as possible.

On July 21, 1940, first meeting of the second Riigivolikogu began, "protected" by soldiers of Red Army (see image).
Topics discussed: Estonia's statehood; accession to the Soviet Union; land has to declared to be the property of the people; and nationalization of the banks and large industries.

More than half of Riiginõukogu members were communists, thus there was no doubt that the marionette-government will follow Moscow's orders to the letter. The history and development of the Republic of Estonia was smeared in demagogic speeches. Decision to declare Soviet rule and rename the Republic of Estonia into Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic was passed.

In the late evening, president Konstantin Päts presented his resignation, a request that Riigivolikogu granted very quickly. President's authority was passed to Prime Minister Vares.

Source: Eesti ajalugu. VI, Vabadussõjast taasiseseisvumiseni. Tartu: Ilmamaa, 2005                                     

Image source: http://paber.ekspress.ee/fotodb/83249CAC9750BC50C2256DA500478132/$file/tn_ajalugu5.jpg  http://www.nlib.ee/html/expo/p90/p1/38/40_111.jpg