Estonian Social Democratic Workers' Party
Encyclopedia
The Estonian Social Democratic Workers' Party (est. 1917) was a political party
in Estonia
. This party, founded on the platforms of patriotism
, Estonian independence, and social justice
, wrote the first Estonian constitution
.
in Estonia was born at the beginning of the 20th century. Estonian social democracy was influenced by West-European ideas of social democracy and Russian ideals too. During 1905 revolution
social democratic ideas spread and Estonian social democrats formed their party in summer 1905 in Tartu.
At this time, the party was named the Estonian Social Democratic Workers Unity (Eesti Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Tööliste Ühendus). Social democrats were most persecuted party during the czarist era. Their newspapers were closed, their politicians were forced to emigrate (Peeter Speek and Mihkel Martna) or prosecute in underground (August Rei).
. They changed their name into Estonian Social Democratic Workers Party (Eesti Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Tööliste Partei) and they won the elections of Estonian constitutive body (1/3 votes and 41/120 mandates).
The Estonian Social Democratic Workers Party wrote the first Estonian constitution and solved the rural problem in the democratic way. Their Party changed their name again: Estonian Socialist Workers Party (Eesti Sotsialistlik Tööliste Partei) (below). They were in the power in 1924-1925 and 1928-1929. In 1925 they joined with Estonian Independent Socialist Workers Party (Eesti Isesisev Sotsialistlik Töölispartei) to form Estonian Socialist Workers' Party.
. They made a cultural autonomy law and gave their chance of the promotions in cultural and educational life.
young socialists Nigol Andresen and Maksim Unt were expelled out of party. The right wing
, ahead August Rei
and Oskar Gustavson, started co-operaring with Konstantin Päts
's regime.
Centre wing under Johannes Mihkelson leadership tried to reconcile the party's wings, however these attempts failed.
In 1940, the Party ceased to exist entirely. After the beginning of the Soviet occupation during World War II
they escaped to Sweden and continued their work in emigration in Stockholm
under the name of Estonian Socialist Party's Foreign Association (Eesti Sotsialistliku Partei Välismaakoondis).
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
. This party, founded on the platforms of patriotism
Patriotism
Patriotism is a devotion to one's country, excluding differences caused by the dependencies of the term's meaning upon context, geography and philosophy...
, Estonian independence, and social justice
Social justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
, wrote the first Estonian constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
.
Estonian Social Democratic Workers Unity
Social democracySocial democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
in Estonia was born at the beginning of the 20th century. Estonian social democracy was influenced by West-European ideas of social democracy and Russian ideals too. During 1905 revolution
Russian Revolution of 1905
The 1905 Russian Revolution was a wave of mass political and social unrest that spread through vast areas of the Russian Empire. Some of it was directed against the government, while some was undirected. It included worker strikes, peasant unrest, and military mutinies...
social democratic ideas spread and Estonian social democrats formed their party in summer 1905 in Tartu.
At this time, the party was named the Estonian Social Democratic Workers Unity (Eesti Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Tööliste Ühendus). Social democrats were most persecuted party during the czarist era. Their newspapers were closed, their politicians were forced to emigrate (Peeter Speek and Mihkel Martna) or prosecute in underground (August Rei).
Estonian Social Democratic Association
In 1917, when parties were again allowed, social democrats formed Estonian Social Democratic Association (Eesti Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Ühendus). Their views were patriotic and they fought for Estonian independence and social justiceSocial justice
Social justice generally refers to the idea of creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, that understands and values human rights, and that recognizes the dignity of every human being. The term and modern concept of "social justice" was coined by...
. They changed their name into Estonian Social Democratic Workers Party (Eesti Sotsiaaldemokraatlik Tööliste Partei) and they won the elections of Estonian constitutive body (1/3 votes and 41/120 mandates).
The Estonian Social Democratic Workers Party wrote the first Estonian constitution and solved the rural problem in the democratic way. Their Party changed their name again: Estonian Socialist Workers Party (Eesti Sotsialistlik Tööliste Partei) (below). They were in the power in 1924-1925 and 1928-1929. In 1925 they joined with Estonian Independent Socialist Workers Party (Eesti Isesisev Sotsialistlik Töölispartei) to form Estonian Socialist Workers' Party.
Estonian Socialist Workers' Party
They won the elections in 1926 (24/100) and in 1929 (25/100). The party was well known in Estonia, social democrats was one of the biggest parties in Estonia. They had contacts with other social democrats in Europe, the party was a member of the Labour and Socialist InternationalSocialist International
The Socialist International is a worldwide organization of democratic socialist, social democratic and labour political parties. It was formed in 1951.- History :...
. They made a cultural autonomy law and gave their chance of the promotions in cultural and educational life.
Party Split
The party split into three wings in 1934. Party's left wingLeft-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
young socialists Nigol Andresen and Maksim Unt were expelled out of party. The right wing
Right-wing politics
In politics, Right, right-wing and rightist generally refer to support for a hierarchical society justified on the basis of an appeal to natural law or tradition. To varying degrees, the Right rejects the egalitarian objectives of left-wing politics, claiming that the imposition of equality is...
, ahead August Rei
August Rei
August Rei VR III/1 was an Estonian Social Democratic politician. He was born in Pilistvere, Kõo Parish, Viljandi County.- Education :...
and Oskar Gustavson, started co-operaring with Konstantin Päts
Konstantin Päts
Konstantin Päts VR I/1 and III/1 was the most influential politician of interwar Estonia. He was one of the first Estonians to become active in politics and started an almost 40-year political rivalry with Jaan Tõnisson, first through journalism with his newspaper Teataja, later through politics...
's regime.
Centre wing under Johannes Mihkelson leadership tried to reconcile the party's wings, however these attempts failed.
Decline
The party was closed in 1935 because of the end of democratic era in Estonia. The Party's leadership however tried to operate semi-legally.In 1940, the Party ceased to exist entirely. After the beginning of the Soviet occupation during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
they escaped to Sweden and continued their work in emigration in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
under the name of Estonian Socialist Party's Foreign Association (Eesti Sotsialistliku Partei Välismaakoondis).