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Modern buses in Tallinn, 1930s |
Many were surprised by the rapid developments in the young republic's economy. The re-orientation of the economy from the Russian to the European markets was successfully accomplished and despite the backlash of the Depression in 1929-32, the standard of life in Estonia in late 1930s was comparable to that of the Scandinavia.
The political system, typically for the era, showed less stability, its vulnerability becoming apparent in the 1934 bloodless coup d'etat by the 'Founding Fathers' of the young democracy, president Konstantin Päts and general Johan Laidoner. The following six years were dubbed the 'Era of Silence' by a critical public opinion. |
State Elder Päts with happy inhabitants of the Isle of Muhu