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Revision as of 12:27, 20 May 2007 edit3 Löwi (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users2,223 edits rv (this article is about 'fascism in Estonia', and not about Waffen-SS etc. - feel free to contribute according to article title)← Previous edit Revision as of 12:33, 20 May 2007 edit undoFrancis Tyers (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users7,572 edits poster is in estonianNext edit →
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{{Unreferenced|date=May 2007}} {{Unreferenced|date=May 2007}}
] recruitment poster for the estnische SS-Legion: 'The pride of the Estonian nation - the Estonian Legionnaire!']]
'''Fascism in Estonia''' has a history before and during ]. '''Fascism in Estonia''' has a history before and during ].


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The short-lived EVL was not a classical fascist party. Most of its support came from the workers who previously voted either for ] or ] parties. The league rejected ] and openly criticized the Nazi ]. It also lacked the willingness to use ], and the goal of territorial expansion. {{Fact|date=May 2007}} The short-lived EVL was not a classical fascist party. Most of its support came from the workers who previously voted either for ] or ] parties. The league rejected ] and openly criticized the Nazi ]. It also lacked the willingness to use ], and the goal of territorial expansion. {{Fact|date=May 2007}}

== Holocaust ==
In ] in particular, and ] and ] to some extent, there was an already existing foundation of ] <ref name="depwashedu"></ref> . The German Nazis were able to use these feelings in certain segments of the local population to incite them into collaboration with their anti-Jewish policies. One of the significant aspects of the ] in the Baltics is the fact that the Germans were able to solicit executioners from the local population. Prior to the German invasion of Russia, Jews in other German occupied countries were being ghettoized and murdered, but not to the extent and with the swiftness that happened in the Baltic countries <ref name="depwashedu"/>.

Estonian military units and police battalions participated during the World War II in following actions <ref name="historycommission"></ref>:
{{Quotation1|
# escorting Jews deported from ] to camps in Estonia.
# providing guards for the ] camp complex, the camps at ], ], ], and camps for Soviet ]s, in all of which prisoners were killed.
# guarding the transit camp for Jews at ] in Poland, where a significant number of Jews were killed.
# providing guards to prevent the escape of Jews being rounded up in several towns in Poland, including ], ], ], and ].
# the roundup and mass shooting of the Jewish population of at least one town in ] (]).|Conclusions of the Estonian International Commission for the Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity<ref name="historycommission"/>}}

==Estonian Waffen-SS==
] as "]".]]
{{main|20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian)}}
The Estonian Legion of Waffen-SS was formed on the order of ] in 1942 and since January 1944 is more known as the ].

== Controversies today ==
Ever since Estonia regained independence in ], the country's occupation by the ] in the ]-] period and for more than four decades after World War II, and by the ] during the 1941-1944 period, has been the subject of bitter debate between the Estonian majority and the country's ethnic minorities - ] and ]. While the Estonians prefer to emphasize their suffering under Soviet rule and the role played by Russians and Jews in Communist crimes, while ignoring or minimizing Estonian collaboration with the Nazis, the latter continue to view the victory of the ] in Estonia and the end of the Nazi occupation as liberation and salvation.

In 2002, the Estonian government forced the removal of a monument to the division erected near the Estonian city of ]. The inscription ''To Estonian men who fought in 1940-1945 against Bolshevism and for the restoration of Estonian independence.'' was the cause of the controversy, as it allegedly promoted ].

In 2004 the monument was reopened in Lihula, but shortly removed again by the Estonian government. In 15th of October 2005 the monument was finally opened in grounds of private museum located in Lagedi near Estonian capital Tallinn. See ].

The ] had provided the Estonian government with information on alleged Estonian war criminals, all former members of the ] {{cn}}. After investigation, the Estonian government concluded that the claims were baseless and rejected the center's demands to try the veterans{{cn}}.

On May 22, 2004, the '']'' ran a story about the plans of some Estonian individuals to build a monument to the ] {{cn}}. International outrage followed, due to the criminal status of the non-conscript Waffen-SS, after the ] {{cn}}. Russia's chief ], ] condemned the action, stating it would breed anti-Semitism {{cn}}.

Local efforts to encourage Holocaust commemoration and education in Estonia lag far behind those of most European countries, a factor clearly reflected in the belated decision to observe ], the anniversary of the liberation of ], as a memorial day. The fact that no Estonian Jews were deported to that death camp made the choice more palatable to the Estonian public, the overwhelming majority of whom (93 percent according to an opinion poll in the ] daily) opposed the establishment of such a day.

== References ==
<references/>



== See also == == See also ==
*]
*] *]
*] *]

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File:20SSEstland.jpg
Estonian language recruitment poster for the estnische SS-Legion: 'The pride of the Estonian nation - the Estonian Legionnaire!'

Fascism in Estonia has a history before and during World War II.

Pre-World War II

In the pre-World War II Estonia, the Estonian War of Independence Veterans' League (Eesti Vabadussõjalaste Liit; EVL; also known as Vapsid), an arguably fascist group, succeeded in legally obtaining the absolute majority vote of the people in Tallinn and Tartu city councils.

In a 1933 referendum, the league spearheaded replacement of the parliamentary system with a presidential form of government and laid the groundwork for an April 1934 presidential election, which it expected to win. However, the veterans were thwarted by a pre-emptive coup d'état on March 12, 1934, by Konstantin Päts, who then established his own authoritarian rule until new constitution came to force. The league was officially banned and finally disbanded in December 1935.

The short-lived EVL was not a classical fascist party. Most of its support came from the workers who previously voted either for socialist or communist parties. The league rejected racial ideology and openly criticized the Nazi persecution of Jews. It also lacked the willingness to use violence, and the goal of territorial expansion.

Holocaust

In Lithuania in particular, and Latvia and Estonia to some extent, there was an already existing foundation of anti-Semitism . The German Nazis were able to use these feelings in certain segments of the local population to incite them into collaboration with their anti-Jewish policies. One of the significant aspects of the Holocaust in the Baltics is the fact that the Germans were able to solicit executioners from the local population. Prior to the German invasion of Russia, Jews in other German occupied countries were being ghettoized and murdered, but not to the extent and with the swiftness that happened in the Baltic countries .

Estonian military units and police battalions participated during the World War II in following actions : Template:Quotation1

Estonian Waffen-SS

German map showing Estonia as "Judenfrei".
Main article: 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian)

The Estonian Legion of Waffen-SS was formed on the order of Adolf Hitler in 1942 and since January 1944 is more known as the 20-th Division SS.

Controversies today

Ever since Estonia regained independence in 1991, the country's occupation by the Soviet Union in the 1940-1941 period and for more than four decades after World War II, and by the Nazi Germany during the 1941-1944 period, has been the subject of bitter debate between the Estonian majority and the country's ethnic minorities - Russians and Jews. While the Estonians prefer to emphasize their suffering under Soviet rule and the role played by Russians and Jews in Communist crimes, while ignoring or minimizing Estonian collaboration with the Nazis, the latter continue to view the victory of the Red Army in Estonia and the end of the Nazi occupation as liberation and salvation.

In 2002, the Estonian government forced the removal of a monument to the division erected near the Estonian city of Pärnu. The inscription To Estonian men who fought in 1940-1945 against Bolshevism and for the restoration of Estonian independence. was the cause of the controversy, as it allegedly promoted anti-Semitism.

In 2004 the monument was reopened in Lihula, but shortly removed again by the Estonian government. In 15th of October 2005 the monument was finally opened in grounds of private museum located in Lagedi near Estonian capital Tallinn. See Monument of Lihula.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center had provided the Estonian government with information on alleged Estonian war criminals, all former members of the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) . After investigation, the Estonian government concluded that the claims were baseless and rejected the center's demands to try the veterans.

On May 22, 2004, the Jerusalem Post ran a story about the plans of some Estonian individuals to build a monument to the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian) . International outrage followed, due to the criminal status of the non-conscript Waffen-SS, after the Nuremberg Trials . Russia's chief Rabbi, Berl Lazar condemned the action, stating it would breed anti-Semitism .

Local efforts to encourage Holocaust commemoration and education in Estonia lag far behind those of most European countries, a factor clearly reflected in the belated decision to observe January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, as a memorial day. The fact that no Estonian Jews were deported to that death camp made the choice more palatable to the Estonian public, the overwhelming majority of whom (93 percent according to an opinion poll in the Eesti Paevaleht daily) opposed the establishment of such a day.

References

  1. ^ The Holocaust in the Baltics
  2. Conclusions of the Estonian International Commission for the Investigation of Crimes Against Humanity


See also

Further reading

  • Andres Kasekamp. 2000. The Radical Right in Interwar Estonia. London: Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN 0-312-22598-9
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