Estonian War of Independence animated

Summary

In November 1918, amidst the chaos of the Russian Civil War, Estonia fought for its independence against the Bolsheviks and Red Army. Despite initial setbacks, Estonian forces, aided by British arms and Finnish support, managed to push back the Red Army, eventually signing the Treaty of Tartu with Soviet Russia in 1920, securing Estonia's independence.

Takeaways

• 🏳️ November 1918 marked the beginning of the Estonian War of Independence amidst the backdrop of Russia's defeat and internal turmoil, with the Bolsheviks gaining control and civil war ensuing.
• 🛡 The Western Borderlands, including Estonia, were initially under German occupation but were left vulnerable as Germany faced defeat and began to withdraw its forces.
• 🔴 The Red Army, including pro-Bolshevik elements, assembled near Estonia's borders, leading to the attack on Narva and the start of the war for Estonian independence.
• 📈 Estonia faced challenges with a weak and newly formed government, low morale, and a lack of faith in victory among its troops, leading to desertions and early defeats.
• 🛳 The British Navy's intervention in December brought much-needed arms and support, including the capture of Red Fleet ships, bolstering Estonia's naval capabilities.
• 🔄 Despite initial setbacks and retreats, Estonian forces gradually improved in morale and strength, eventually halting the Red Army's advance near Tallinn.
• 🤝 International support played a crucial role in Estonia's resistance, with aid coming from the British Navy and neighboring Finland, helping to balance the forces on the front.
• 🛤️ The Estonian forces, with better equipment and strategic advantages, began a counterattack, pushing the Red Army back and retaking key territories like Voru and Valga.
• 🔄 The war saw a series of back-and-forth battles, with both sides experiencing advances and retreats, highlighting the fluctuating fortunes of war.
• 🏰 The Northern Corps, comprised of former officers of the Russian Imperial Army, executed a successful offensive, penetrating deep into Soviet lines and causing significant disruption.
• ✍️ The Tartu Peace Treaty, signed in February 1920, officially ended the Estonian War of Independence, bringing a close to the conflict and establishing Estonia's sovereignty.

Q & A

What was the situation in Russia in November 1918?

In November 1918, Russia had been defeated in the Great War and had suffered two revolutions. The Bolsheviks had taken control of most of the country, but their power was being contested by political opposition and remnants of the Russian Imperial Army, who formed the White Guard. Many areas of the country were engulfed in a brutal Civil War.

What was the status of the Western Borderlands of the Russian Empire during this time?

The Western Borderlands of the Russian Empire had been taken over by Imperial Germany. However, with Germany's defeat in the west, they were forced to abandon these territories. The German Army was preparing to leave the occupied territories as the Red Army gathered its forces to take over.

What challenges did Estonia face during the Estonian War of Independence?

Estonia faced numerous challenges during the Estonian War of Independence. The Estonian government had been in power for only a couple of weeks and was struggling to gather its forces. The Red Army, including pro-Bolshevik Red Estonian Riflemen and the Red Fleet, was assembling near the border. Estonian forces were weak and morale was low, with many men deserting the ranks.

How did the British Navy support Estonia during the war?

On December 12, the British Navy arrived in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, bringing much-needed arms, including Lewis and Maxim guns, which were unfamiliar to the Red Army. They also captured two Red Fleet destroyers and transferred them to the Estonian Navy.

What was the significance of the battle at Narva?

The battle at Narva marked the beginning of the Estonian War of Independence. The Red Army attacked Narva, and despite Estonian forces being weak, they managed to hold the line initially. This battle was crucial in setting the stage for the conflict that would follow.

How did the Red Army's strategy evolve during the war?

The Red Army initially relied on its numerical superiority to push the Estonian forces back. However, as the war progressed, they faced challenges due to low morale, desertions, and the strengthening of the Estonian forces. The Red Army also attempted to reassign units from Estonia to other fronts, but the balance of power slowly shifted in favor of the Estonian side.

What role did Finland play in supporting Estonia during the war?

Finland provided significant support to Estonia during the war. By the start of January, the numbers of the Estonian forces and Red Army troops had become equal on the front, and Estonian forces were better equipped, partly due to help from their northern neighbor, Finland.

What was the outcome of the battles at Yandova and Narva?

The Estonians and Finnish volunteers pushed the Soviets back in heavy fighting at Yandova and managed to retake the town. Meanwhile, the Finnish volunteers broke into the town of Narva, leading to the surrender of the encircled Soviet units at the front.

How did the conflict between Estonia and Germany affect the war?

The conflict between Estonia and Germany was significant as it saw the Estonians, who had high morale and numbers, face off against the well-equipped but less motivated German forces. The Estonians managed to repel the German advance and eventually forced them to sign an Armistice, restoring the nationalist government in Latvia and securing a more advantageous border.

What were the terms of the Tartu Peace Treaty that concluded the Estonian War of Independence?

The Tartu Peace Treaty, signed on February 2, 1920, officially concluded the Estonian War of Independence. The treaty established peace between the Republic of Estonia and Soviet Russia, marking the end of the fighting in northeastern Europe.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Struggle for Independence in Estonia

In November 1918, Russia was in turmoil following the Great War and two revolutions, leading to the Bolsheviks seizing control. The Red Army clashed with the White Guard and other opposition forces in a brutal Civil War. Estonia, having just established its government, faced the Red Army's advance. Despite initial setbacks and low morale, Estonian forces, bolstered by British aid and Finnish support, managed to hold their ground and eventually push back the Red Army. The Estonians' strategic use of light machine guns and armored trains, along with naval support, played a crucial role in their defense and counteroffensive.

05:00

🛡️ The Battle for Estonia and Latvia

As the Red Army continued its push into Estonia, the Estonians, with the help of Finnish volunteers, managed to establish a defensive line and eventually counterattack. The Red Army's numerical superiority was countered by the Estonians' strategic maneuvers, including landing troops behind enemy lines and utilizing armored trains. The battle for Volga and the recapture of Tartu marked significant victories for Estonia. Meanwhile, Latvia faced its own challenges with the Red Latvian Riflemen advancing almost unopposed, leading to the Latvian forces retreating and seeking German support. The Estonians and Latvians fought fiercely, with the Estonians eventually reaching their national border and pushing into Latvian territory.

10:02

🔥 The Northern Corps and the Battle for Petrograd

The Northern Corps, comprised of former officers of the Russian Imperial Army, played a pivotal role in the conflict. They executed a well-planned offensive, penetrating deep behind Red Army lines and threatening Petrograd. The Estonians, in support, aimed to capture the naval fortress at Kronstadt. Despite initial success, the Red Army managed to regroup and push back the Northern Corps. The Estonians, facing a lack of will to fight abroad, retreated to their territory. The conflict escalated as the Red Army gathered strength and pushed back the Northern Corps, leading to a stalemate along the Estonian border.

15:03

🕊️ The Peace of Tartu and the End of the Estonian War of Independence

The final stages of the Estonian War of Independence saw the Red Army attempting to capture Narva, but the Estonians had established extensive fortifications. Despite the Red Army's efforts, they were unable to break through the well-prepared defenses. Peace negotiations between Soviet Russia and Estonia culminated in the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty on February 2, 1920, officially ending the war. The Estonians successfully repelled numerous Red Army assaults and held their ground, securing their independence. The peace also extended to other nations in the region, with Lithuania, Latvia, Finland, and Poland signing peace treaties in the following months.

Keywords

💡Red Army

The Red Army was the military force of the Bolshevik government after the Russian Revolution. In the video, the Red Army is depicted as the main force attempting to take control of the former Russian Empire territories, including Estonia. They are shown to be numerically superior but often face difficulties such as low morale and strong resistance from local forces.

💡Estonian War of Independence

The Estonian War of Independence was a conflict that occurred between 1918 and 1920, where Estonia fought to maintain its independence against the Bolshevik Red Army. The video describes the series of battles and strategic movements that led to Estonia's eventual victory and the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty.

💡Bolsheviks

The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, were a faction of the Russian socialist movement that eventually became the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. They took control of Russia after the October Revolution in 1917. The video focuses on their attempts to expand their control into the former Russian Empire territories, facing resistance from local forces and foreign interventions.

💡White Guard

The White Guard, also known as the White Army, was composed of anti-Bolshevik forces during the Russian Civil War. These included remnants of the Russian Imperial Army and other political opposition groups. The video mentions their involvement in the conflict, particularly in supporting Estonia and other nations resisting Bolshevik control.

💡Narva

Narva is a city in northeastern Estonia that played a crucial role in the Estonian War of Independence. The video details the battle of Narva, where the Red Army launched an initial attack, marking the beginning of the war. The strategic significance of Narva is highlighted by its repeated mention in the context of military engagements and defensive efforts.

💡Latvian Riflemen

The Latvian Riflemen were elite units of the Red Army composed largely of Latvian soldiers. In the video, they are shown advancing through Latvia with significant support from the local population. Their effectiveness and loyalty to the Bolshevik cause are emphasized, as well as their participation in key battles.

💡British Navy

The British Navy played a supportive role in the Estonian War of Independence by providing arms and naval assistance. The video describes how the arrival of the British Navy in December 1918 brought essential military supplies, boosting the morale and capability of the Estonian forces.

💡Armistice

An armistice is a formal agreement between warring parties to stop fighting. In the video, the signing of an armistice between Estonia and Germany is mentioned, which helped restore the Latvian nationalist government and stabilize the region temporarily.

💡Northwestern Army

The Northwestern Army, initially known as the Northern Corps, was a White Army formation composed of anti-Bolshevik Russian forces. The video details their operations in Estonia and their critical role in several battles, including their advance towards Petrograd and their eventual retreat due to Soviet counter-attacks.

💡Tartu Peace Treaty

The Tartu Peace Treaty, signed on February 2, 1920, marked the official end of the Estonian War of Independence. The video concludes with the signing of this treaty between Estonia and Soviet Russia, which recognized Estonia's independence and established peace in the region after a prolonged conflict.

Highlights

November 1918 marked a tumultuous period in Northeastern Europe, with Russia defeated in the Great War and experiencing two revolutions leading to Bolshevik control.

The Western Borderlands of the Russian Empire were initially occupied by Imperial Germany, but Germany's defeat forced them to abandon these territories.

The Red Army began assembling near the Estonian border, including pro-Bolshevik forces, initiating the Estonian War of Independence on November 28.

Estonia's struggle for independence was characterized by a weak initial defense and low morale among its forces.

The Estonian Army was bolstered by new recruits but faced challenges such as desertions due to a lack of faith in victory.

The Red Army's advance was initially successful, capturing key towns like Rockville, but faced resistance from Estonian forces at Konda River.

Tartu fell to the Bolsheviks without resistance, highlighting the initial disarray in Estonian defense.

Despite setbacks, Estonian forces began to gain strength and morale improved, leading to a shift in the balance of power.

The British Navy's arrival in December brought crucial support to Estonia, including arms and the capture of Red Fleet destroyers.

Estonia's strategic advantage was further enhanced by the support from Finland and the mobilization of new units.

The Estonian counterattack was marked by the use of armored trains and amphibious landings, forcing the Red Army to retreat.

The Red Army's overextension and lack of coordination allowed Estonian forces to achieve significant victories, such as the recapture of Valga.

The Latvian situation was dire, with the Red Latvian Riflemen advancing almost unopposed and Latvian forces retreating to the west.

The Red Army's attempts to establish a defense at Yuhi were thwarted by Estonian forces, leading to further retreats.

The Estonians and Finnish volunteers managed to break the Red Army's entrenched positions at Narva, leading to a significant turning point in the war.

The Red Army's southern offensive was initially successful, pushing Estonian forces back, but ultimately they lacked the reserves for a decisive follow-up.

The emergence of the Northern Corps, composed of former Russian Imperial Army officers, brought a new dynamic to the conflict, executing a successful offensive on the Narva front.

The signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty on February 2, 1920, officially ended the Estonian War of Independence, marking the conclusion of the conflict.

Transcripts

November 1918

Northeastern Europe

Russia has been defeated in the Great

War and has suffered two revolutions

that have led to the Communist

Bolsheviks taking control of most of the

country their power is being contested

by the political opposition and remnants

of the Russian Imperial Army who have

formed the white guard many areas of the

country are engulfed in a brutal Civil

War the Western Borderlands of the

Russian Empire have been taken over by

Imperial Germany but now Germany has

been defeated in the west and is forced

to abandon its conquests German Army

prepares to leave the occupied

territories as the Red Army Masters its

forces to begin the Takeover meanwhile

many of the Nations freed from the

occupation don't want to be ruled by

Bolsheviks and they prepare to resist

the raids lacking Armed Forces Effective

Government and having politically

divided populations these new States

attempt to hold back raid Army's Advance

one of them is Estonia all of Estonian

territory had fallen under German

occupation in the end of November the

Estonian government had only been in

power for a couple of weeks and was

struggling to gather its forces

meanwhile Red Army was assembling near

the border among them were pro-bolshevik

red Estonian Riflemen and the red Fleet

soon most of the German troops had left

and the weak Estonian forces were unable

to hold the line on November 28 the Red

Army attacked narva with this battle the

Estonian war of independence began

supported by the fleet thousands of Red

Army soldiers overran natural defensive

positions in the forests of Northeast

Estonia Estonian Army was constantly

strengthened by new recruits but morale

was low and many men lacked the faith in

Victory and deserted the ranks the next

line of defense was established on kunda

River by this time the Estonian forces

had grown in Manpower but the raids

broke through and captured the town of

Rockville

at the same time the Estonian forces

were preparing to defend the town of

tarto on that part of the front the Red

Army was numerically inferior but

Estonian troops were plagued by low

morale Bolshevik agitators managed to

incite some units to rebel and Estonian

command lost the control of the

situation tartu fell to the Bolsheviks

without any resistance and the Estonian

troops retreated to the north

having witnessed the lackluster

performance of the Estonian forces the

Red Army command came to the conclusion

that the Estonian Army would soon be

defeated and they began reassigning

units from Estonia to other fronts

however the balance of power was slowly

shifting in favor of the Estonian side

despite of constantly being in Retreat

the morale of the troops began to

improve Red Army continued to rely on

its numerical superiority to push the

Estonian forces back but the strength of

the Estonian troops was on the rise and

the resistance intensified day by day on

the 12th of December the British Navy

had arrived in the Estonian Capital they

brought much needed arms including

Louise and Matt's and light machine guns

a weapon unfamiliar to the Red Army the

Royal Navy also captured two red fleets

destroyers and transferred them to

Estonian Navy when the Red Army units

reached only 40 kilometers from Estonian

Capital thailin they had exhausted their

strength and dystonian forces put an end

to their advance mean while the

government of the Estonian Southern nape

and Latvia had far greater difficulties

Latvia had declared its independence

under a nationalist government but the

Bolsheviks enjoyed a far greater degree

of support among the local population

therefore the red Army's elite units the

red Latvian Riflemen Advanced through

the country almost unopposed the Latvian

forces abandoned the capital city of

Riga and retreated towards the West in

the westernmost corner of the country

they managed to establish a defensive

line and were soon reinforced by German

troops on the other hand Estonia was

able to successfully mobilize and now

many new units were arriving at the

front Estonian forces had also received

help from its northern neighbor Finland

by the start of January the numbers of

the Estonian forces and Red Army troops

had become equal on the front however

the Estonian forces were better equipped

in addition to possessing light machine

guns they had several armored trains and

had gained the command of the sea

Estonian Army began a counter attack a

strong Push by the armored trains

coupled within amphibious Landing forced

The Raid Army Frontline troops into a

retreat their attempts to set up a

defense near rockware failed when

Estonian troops landed behind their

lines at kunda the raid army forces

became overextended while attempting to

counter the threat from both sea and

land many of their units became

scattered or were captured during the

retreat however soon the front reached

terrain more suitable for defense the

raids managed to hold off the Estonian

frontal Advance at yuhi but their

position was flanked by a Cavalry unit

from the south and they were forced to

withdraw further now the Red Army

occupied heavily entrenched positions at

cinemat Heights which were impossible to

bypass Estonian forces broke the

deadlock by Landing more than a thousand

Men Behind The Red Army lines at utria

The Finnish volunteers broke into the

town of narva and the encircled Soviet

units at the front surrendered now

Estonian forces established the

defensive line on whatever during the

following months the Red Army made

several attempts to go on an offensive

in this sector but they didn't achieve

much success meanwhile their Stone and

high command was gathering forces to

recapture tartu the armored train

formations and Lieutenant Julius

coprano's parties and Battalion decided

not to wait for reinforcements and

retook the town with a surprise night

attack now the Estonian forces were in

position to expel the raids from

Southern Estonia they directed the main

attack towards the important Railway

Junction of Volga the Soviets had sent

the red Latvian Riflemen against them

and here the best units of Estonia and

the raid Army faced each other with

heavy fighting the Estonian forces and

Finnish volunteers pushed the Soviets

back and after a costly battle at payo

they retook Volga meanwhile other units

crossed their Estonian Latvian border

and took up defensive positions along

their strategic riena Volga narrow Gorge

Railroad on the eastern part of the

front estonians were faced with

demoralized Red Army troops mobilized

from the war where Russian peasants

these units disintegrated before the

Estonian Army's advance and soon the

Estonian forces reached Petri deep

behind Red Army's lines this threatened

the red Army's units with encirclement

and they were forced to withdrawal now

the Estonian forces had reached their

National border and their next goal was

to establish forward defensive positions

on Latvian territory in the middle of

February they continued their advance

The Raid Army had received large

reinforcements and repelled the Estonian

troops back into their territory after

the initial defeats the red Army's

forces had been greatly strengthened and

now they were preparing to launch a

large-scale offensive however the raid

Army formations in Latvia and on the

scoff front lacked coordination which

allowed Estonian forces to defeat them

one by one the Soviets in the East began

their offensive first by launching

attacks from the front and over the

frozen lake ilamir after their Advance

had been fought to a standstill in March

they were joined by their Latvian

comrades who achieved some success in

the South fighting against the Estonian

troops stretched the Latvian raid Army's

resources and this allowed the Latvian

white forces and German troops to

recapture most of Western Latvia

after having stopped the Reds Estonian

forces counter-attacked and redook most

of the Lost land in the south then with

a concentrated assault carried out by

armored trains they recaptured Petri and

stabilized the front lines then the

fighting was interrupted by the spring

Thor during the winter the Soviets had

been preparing for a major attack on

Estonia and had organized new units now

they were deployed on the front all red

Estonian Latvian and Russian troops on

that part of the front were organized

into a formidable Estonian Red Army on

April 17th the raids embarked on their

most serious attempt to conquer Estonia

due to the lack of ice cover the Red

Army was unable to attack over the Lakes

and their attacks in the East were

channeled in a small Corridor and

repelled however in the South the

Soviets numeric superiority pushed the

Estonian forces slowly back the Estonian

Army had used up most of its reserves

and their defenses were stretching to a

Breaking Point only some kilometers from

Little the advancing rates were

temporarily stopped now the raids

attempted to break the stalemate by a

diversionary attack in the west there

the Soviets lacked numerical superiority

but the morale of the Estonian soldiers

was low Estonian troops were deployed in

Latvian territory but they didn't have

the will to fight abroad and were also

exposed to propaganda by local

Bolsheviks the red Latvian Rifleman

attacked and pushed the Estonian forces

back over the national border but they

lacked the reserves for a follow-up

attack eventually the discipline in

Estonian units was restored and they

counter-attacked recapturing all of the

Lost territory meanwhile the onslaught

of the Reds under burrow continued

several weeks of unceasing fighting

along with intensive Bolshevik

propaganda took the Estonian soldiers

fighting Spirit to its critical low it

was likely that soon the Red Army would

overrun Estonian defenses that's when a

new Force emerged

since the beginning of the war many

former officers of the Russian Imperial

Army had been gathering in Estonia with

the goal of fighting the Bolsheviks by

the beginning of may they had organized

themselves into the northern core an

elite formation of three thousand men on

May 13 they executed the thoroughly

planned offensive on the narva front

their forces penetrated deeply behind

Red armies lines through unfavorable

terrain and broke into the rare of main

Soviet formations in support of their

offensive Estonian Navy landed the

Ingrid Battalion behind Red Army's lines

the Soviet units being threatened with

encirclement played in disarray and the

resistance to the whites collapsed now

the northern Corps reached into Striking

Distance from Battle rat the old

imperial capital the Soviet command

could not afford to lose petrograd under

any circumstances reserves and forces

from other fronts were scrambled

together and thrown against the whites

however many of these units had mixed

loyalties and defected to the northern

Corps ultimately the Soviets must

mastered large amounts of troops and

stopped the white forces many of these

units were taken from Estonian fronts

and so the red Army's position there

became dangerously weak after the

northern Corps offensive into Russia

some commanders of the red Estonian

Riflemen were coming to the conclusion

that the raids were going to lose the

war they decided to defect to the

Estonian side Estonian command decided

to use this opportunity to capture scoff

the defectors paralyzed the red Army's

command which allowed units to advance

quickly into the raid Army's rare many

Soviet units got the false impression

that most of the red Estonian Riflemen

had defected and fearing encirclement

they fled without offering resistance

the Estonian white troops ended scoff

the Red Army in Latvia had also been

overextended the German and Latvian

forces exploited this by taking Riga

with a surprise attack then the

estonians broke through the Reds front

near varu and advanced deep into red

Army's rare threatening to got a bulk of

the Latvian Soviet Army off from

Bolshevik Russia on dog of a river they

linked up with Lithuanian troops cutting

off the Red Army units in central Latvia

the Latvian raid Army had suffered a

major defeat and lost much of its

strength

however a new danger was emerging from

the south the German forces operating in

Latvia had deposed the Latvian

nationalist government and set up a

puppet government consisting of the

local Baltic German nobility Estonia

continued to support the previous

Latvian government many Latvian units

loyal to the Nationalist government were

already serving on the Estonian command

Estonian and German forces met near the

Latvian town of chesis the German forces

consisted of Baltic Landes where a unit

of flat ven Baltic Germans and the iron

division consisting of volunteers from

Germany they were well equipped but

estonians had the numbers and very high

morale this conflict was seen by many

Estonian soldiers as the high point of

the Century's long power struggle

between the local Baltic German

landowners and estonians and they were

eager to take part in the fight the

Germans attacked a lot when nationalist

unit and pushed it out of the town after

the initial clashes the military

missions of the Anton countries

attempted to broker a peace between

estonians and Germans but the talks

failed on July 19th the Germans

continued the offensive and the Baltic

London Square broke through the Estonian

lines however the advance of the iron

division was repelled and then the

estonians counter-attacked at stasis the

German forces went into full Retreat

their attempt to regroup at Goya River

was thwarted and only on the entrenched

positions before Riga did they managed

to stop the Estonian Advance however the

arrival of Estonian Fleet in the mouth

of dog of a river threatened to cut off

the German's path of retreat under the

pressure of the military missions of the

Anton countries they were forced to sign

an Armistice and abandon their positions

the Nationalist government in Latvia was

restored and continued to be allied with

Estonia until the end of the war

meanwhile the Red Army had gathered a

strong force and began pushing the

northern Corps troops back along the

whole front the situation was especially

critical nearskov where the raids had

large superiority after defeating the

Germans Estonian units began to arrive

to prop up the white Army's defense

Estonian command ordered its forces to

push the Red Army deeper into Russia in

order to create the buffer zone between

Estonia and the Soviets the attack was

initially successful but Estonian

soldiers lacked the will to fight abroad

and their performance suffered the

advance of the Estonian and white Army

was stopped short of their objectives

the Red Army counter-attacked directing

its main effort towards the Estonian

Army's Communications and its path of

retreat at the same time the Soviets

pushed the estonians and whites back

from the front when the threat of being

cut off became too real the Estonian

forces abandoned scoff and retreated to

the 45 positions on Estonian territory

for the rest of the war this part of the

front became stable and the only attacks

of diversionary character were attempted

here the Final Act of the war took place

in the north here the northern Corps had

fought off the Soviets and increased

their strength the corpse now consisted

of 16 000 men and was renamed to

Northwestern Army despite the increase

in strength the situation was becoming

desperate for the Russian whites they

were in danger of losing their base of

Supply as Estonia was in the process of

making peace with Soviets and the Allies

were about to stop delivering the

supplies the only Fighting Chance for

them was conquering petrograd with an

army that wasn't fully prepared first

They carried out the divisionary attack

towards scoff thus diverting some Soviet

troops defending petrograd then the main

forces of the Northwestern Army launched

an all-out attack on petrograd the raids

defenses collapsed and the whites closed

their distance to the city Estonian Army

had its own goal in this offensive their

units were tasked with the capture of

cross nagorca Naval Fortress in order to

trap the Russian Fleet at petrograd it

seemed that the city was about to fall

but then Leon drotsky arrived there and

began feverishly organizing a defense as

the Red Army reinforcements were

trickling to petrograd by rail the white

armies Advance became broke down and

finally ground to a halt on the

approaches to petrograd now the Soviets

counter-attacked and began pushing the

whites back the Northwestern Army

exhausted by continuous combat and

having lost their hope for victory began

to lose its ability to fight their

troops retreated towards the stone and

Border meanwhile peace negotiations were

being held between Soviet Russia and

Estonia in order to secure a more

advantageous border the Red Army was

ordered to capture the Estonian city of

narva however the Estonian forces had

established extensive fortifications

along the national border Red Army

attacked these positions in strength but

the defenses were well prepared the

battles here resembled the ones in the

Great War on the Western Front the raids

lacked artillery to achieve a

breakthrough and took large casualties

while pushing slowly forward during

November and December estonians and

remaining Northwestern Army units

repelled numerous Red Army assaults on

their positions and were able to hold

their ground

after the Red Army had exhausted its

strength a truce was finally signed on

January 3rd 1920. the Estonian War of

Independence was over it was officially

concluded on February 2nd 1920 with the

signing of tart to peace treaty between

the Republic of Estonia and Soviet

Russia with the Peace of tartu the

fighting in northeastern Europe started

to come to an end Lithuania made peace

in July Latvia in August and Finland in

October 1920. Poland followed in March

1921. so finally peace came to Eastern

Europe it lasted for 20 years and then

the region was engulfed in another War

we'll look into it in our next video

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