Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic

republic of the Soviet Union (1940–1991)

The Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic,[1] or Estonian SSR or ESSR, was a republic of the Soviet Union. It was administered by and subordinated to the Government of the Soviet Union.

Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic
  • Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik (Estonian)
  • Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика (Russian)
1940–1941, 1944–1990/91
Anthem: "Anthem of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic"
Location of Estonia (red) within the Soviet Union
Location of Estonia (red) within the Soviet Union
StatusInternationally unrecognized part of Soviet Union (1940–1941, 1944–1990/91)
CapitalTallinn
59°26′09″N 24°44′15″E / 59.4358°N 24.7375°E / 59.4358; 24.7375
Common languagesEstonian
Russian
Religion
State atheism
GovernmentOne-party Soviet socialist republic
Leader 
• 1940–1941
Karl Säre
• 1944–1950
Nikolai Karotamm
• 1950–1978
Johannes Käbin
• 1978–1988
Karl Vaino
• 1988–1990
Vaino Väljas
LegislatureSupreme Soviet
Historical eraWorld War II · Cold War
16 June 1940
• SSR declared
21 July 1940
• Annexed by USSR
6 August 1940
1941
1944
16 November 1988
1988
• Soviet occupation declared illegal
8 May 1990
20 August 1991
• Independence recognised by the USSR
6 September 1991
Area
1989[source?]45,227 km2 (17,462 sq mi)
Population
• 1989[source?]
1,565,662
CurrencySoviet ruble (руб) (SUR)
Calling code7 014
Today part ofEstonia

The ESSR replaced the Republic of Estonia on 21 July 1940, after the invasion of Soviet troops on 17 June 1940. A puppet government backed by the Soviet Union, declared Estonia to be a Soviet state. The Estonian SSR was taken into the USSR on 9 August 1940. The independence of the Republic of Estonia was reestablished on 20 August 1991.

  1. Estonian: Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik; Russian: Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика, Estonskaya Sovetskaya Sotsalisticheskaya Respublika