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strictest of measures would be taken against dangerous events. "Any resistance to the commander-in-chief's orders will be suppressed with all determination." With a decree issued on March 19, Päts announced that the elections of the governor and the
Riigikogu have been postponed. This decree was not legitimate the Constitution forbade amending the election law by decree. The elections stipulated in the 1933 constitution never took place in Estonia and political freedoms were not restored. The government had begun to slowly phase out the authoritarian system with two
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unpopular, and it was possible that the Vaps candidate, Andres Larka, could've gotten an absolute majority of votes in the first round of the elections. During the election campaign, the Vaps movement disclosed information about Johan
Laidoner's businesses, which did not show him in a positive light, and prepared an overview of Päts' economic activities. Fearing a possible defeat in the VI Riigikogu and State Elder elections announced for April, Johan Laidoner and Konstantin Päts organized a coup d'état together with August Rei.
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226:. Laidoner immediately shut down the Vaps Movement and banned meetings of all private individuals and organizations "both in closed rooms and under the open sky" as well as public demonstrations. The publication of ten periodicals was immediately banned and the publication license of three newspapers was revoked. These decisions were illegal, as Johan Laidoner could have only legally been appointed to the position if mobilization was declared or war was to break out.
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115:. The Riigikogu had also made various proposals for amendments to the Constitution, although when they came to a referendum, they weren't approved. However, in the referendum held on October 14–16, 1933, the amendments to the constitution drawn up by the Vaps movement were approved. After the passage of the referendum,
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The popularity of Vaps had grown steadily, and in
February a sharp election campaign began. Four candidates were nominated - Johan Laidoner, Andres Larka, August Rei and Konstantin Päts. During the collection of signatures for the candidates for the head of state, it became clear that August Rei was
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At 22:00, the
Government invited the journalists to Toompea for a chat. Päts said that the Government has appointed a Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces, adding that the political struggle will be stopped and all political parties would be banned from participating in political agitation. The
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The exact time of the coup was possibly agreed upon on the evening of March 11 at the meeting between Päts, Laidoner and Rei. On the day of March 12, around two o'clock, an alarm was given in the barracks located on the grounds of the Joint
Training Institutions of the Defense Force in Tondi. About
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in the role of head of state". The new constitution entered into force on
January 24, 1934 and the first round of elections for the governor was to take place on April 22 and 23, 1934. According to the new draft constitution, both the head of state and the 50-member Riigikogu would have had to been
222:, a state of defense was established for six months throughout the entire country at 17:00, several hours after the start of the coup, and Johan Laidoner was named Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces and commander of the internal defense. Estonia entered the
188:, head of educational institutions, announced that they were going on a special mission. Weapons and ammunition were distributed to the men, and the three companies moved to the city center. The aspirants took control of the city center and
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on
February 28, 1934, it can be concluded that the decision had already been made. The Vaps leaders had been warned about the planned action but they hadn't expected Päts to violate the constitution and cancel the elections.
192:, and besieged the residences of the Vaps members nearby. Officials of the Political Police arrested those present. In total, several hundred leaders and activists of freedom fighters were arrested across Estonia.
99:. If at least 25 thousand citizens were to give their signatures to put a draft law to a referendum, a referendum had to take place and the changes were to be implemented if passed. During the 1930s, the
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which had been hitherto absent. In 1933, the Vaps
Movement submitted a bill to amend the constitution, which was to create the position of head of state with great power and turn Estonia into a
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elected directly by the people. The constitution, which was approved by a large majority, preserved all previous civil and political liberties and the right of petitioning.
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in
Estonia", saying that a civil war had broken out and describing a bloody battle between the government forces and the Vaps forces, which they described as
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changed 5 times. Most
Estonian citizens felt the need for a more stable executive power. This was hoped to be achieved by establishing the position of
466:"Olukord oli sama, kui enne 1. detsembrit" [The situation was the same as before December 1.] (in Estonian). Päevaleht. 14 March 1934.
277:"Londoni ajalehe sündmatu kõmu" [The indecent gossip of a London newspaper.] (in Estonian). No. 54. Uudisleht. 18 March 1934.
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August Rei (14 February 1959). "Kindral J. Laidoner 75-aastane" [General J. Laidoner is 75 years old.] (in Estonian). Teataja.
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It is not known when Päts, Laidoner and Rei decided in favor of the coup. However, from Päts's conversation with British Ambassador
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266:"Konstantin Päts, 12. märts ja Moskva" [Konstantin Päts, March 12 and Moscow.] (in Estonian). No. 2. Tuna. 2007.
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477:"Sisekaitse ülema otsused" [Decisions of the Chief of Internal Defense.] (in Estonian). Päevaleht. 14 March 1934.
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Under the black and white flag: The movement of freedom fighters in Estonia 1929–1937. I. The Legal Period (1929–1934)
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Under the black and white flag: The movement of freedom fighters in Estonia 1929–1937. I. The Legal Period (1929–1934)
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published a description of the situation on its front page on March 13, 1934, under the headline "
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Must-valge lipu all: Vabadussõjalaste liikumine Eestis 1929–1937. I. Legaalne periood (1929–1934)
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Must-valge lipu all: Vabadussõjalaste liikumine Eestis 1929–1937. I. Legaalne periood (1929–1934)
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hit Estonia hard and sharply highlighted the weak points of the state. During 1932-33, the
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permitted citizens to petition to change laws and establish new ones, akin to
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488:"Riigi Teataja" [State Gazette] (in Estonian). No. 25. 1934.
455:"Riigi Teataja" [State Gazette] (in Estonian). No. 22. 1934.
386:"Riigi Teataja" [State Gazette] (in Estonian). No. 22. 1934.
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Konstantin Päts. A political biography. Part II: Statesman (1917-1956)
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Konstantin Päts. Poliitiline biograafia. II osa: riigimees (1917-1956)
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leaders and activists, supporters of the fourth State Elder candidate
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and decreed a stop to the election process for State Elder and the
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but the process of democratization was never complete due to the
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With the decision of Prime Minister Konstantin Päts and the
405:] (in Estonian). Almqvist & Wiksell International.
365:] (in Estonian). Almqvist & Wiksell International.
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resigned on October 17, 1933, and Konstantin Päts became "
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Estonian land and people. From World War to World War.
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Eesti maast ja rahvast. Maailmasõjast maailmasõjani
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period of the authoritarian rule of Konstantin Päts
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328:Õie Elango; Ants Ruusman; Karl Siilivask (1998).
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307:] (in Estonian). Tartu: Rahvusarhiiv.
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336:] (in Estonian). Tallinn: Olion.
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511:1930s coups d'état and coup attempts
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428:Põhiseadus ja Rahvuskogu
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253:References
78:Background
44:August Rei
249:in 1940.
235:elections
170:Civil War
109:President
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22:Estonian
190:Toompea
174:fascist
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