Summary

History is not merely a subject of study, but also a constitutional textbook for the present, aimed at raising awareness of past mistakes and preventing new ones. This argument is especially relevant when the general timeline spans only a century, with half of that period spent without independence, and the circumstances in our neighbouring regions have not changed much in substance.

The Constitution and the laws associated with it are just words on paper as long as they are not supported by the security network of a politically conscious free people and independent, professional, and impartial institutions that form part of the democratic state structure. This article aims to focus primarily on why and how the events that took place in Estonia in the 1930s, as well as the 1940 fiasco, became possible. What were or could have been the internal/constitutional aspects that allowed this and what factors should have, if not completely prevented such a development, at least made it as difficult as possible?

The author argues that a combination of factors led to the coup d'état of 12 March 1934, the establishment of autocracy, the dissolution of the Vaps Movement, and the subsequent silent submission. The most significant factors influencing this were the political and economic situation in Europe, Russia, and Estonia, the political maturity of the Estonian people in governing the state, the background and awareness of the political elite concerning democratic governance, as well as the ambition of the state leader, Konstantin Päts, and his close associates (Johan Laidoner, Kaarel Eenpalu). Additionally, the weakness and unreliability of the justice system and law enforcement, particularly internal and external intelligence, played a key role. The article focuses on the extent to which the developments of that time were influenced by the interests of our neighbouring country, its indirect interference, and the hidden and skilful manipulation of events.