Estonia: Past and Present

Tallinn: Government printing office, 1928. — 20 p.This booklet, compiled from official data, is not meant to propound official optimism. It is to convey to its reader a few hard facts and some exact figures. These speak a distinct language of their own. A stable democratic Government has been set up where there was turmoil and insecurity. Free education in the mother tongue exists in place of a forcible suppression of national culture. Conditions of social justice have supplanted the disabilities under which the huge majority of the people had suffered. At the same time, the reconstruction of material wealth has been carried out with thoroughly commendable results. Great work has been performed during this period which will soon be called a decade. It would be unjust, however, to appreciate this work only according to point the immediate results for it is still continuing and will never- cease, primarily aiming at a national ideal — an effort „to create a State based on justice, law, and liberty, for the defence of internal and external peace, as a pledge for the social progress and general welfare of present and future generations“ (preamble of the Constitution of June 15, 1920). It is in their work for this ideal that the Estonian people endeavour to justify their national Independence.The population
Estonia until the Nothern War
Estonia under Russian rule
The proclamation of Independence
The War of Independence
Consolidation of the international position of Estonia
Reconstruction
The Constitution
Education
National economy
Co-operative movement
Industrial production
The oil shale industry
"Invisible exports"
Public finance
Banking
A synopsis