The exhibition focuses on how
everyday life in Tartu and the surrounding areas was affected by the
war. It is hard to underestimate the importance of the World War One
in Estonian history. Four years of unexpected twists, restrictions on
everyday life and uncertainty about the future all changed society
for ever.

Estonian soldiers from Tahkuranna (1914/1915) by Mihkel ViirThe National Archives of Estonia


“…and
so that we would have overclothes and proper boots for going off to
the army…”


Estonian soldiers served in World War One as an element in the Russian army. The national units were established in the Russian army only in 1917. In the course of the war, a total of some 100,000 men were drafted into the service, and they fought mainly in what is now Poland, Belarus and the Baltic states. There were about 3,000 Estonian officers, and most of them received their promotion to officer rank during the war. Some 10,000 Estonian soldiers were killed or went missing in action during World War One.

Order calling up men for military service. (1915)The National Archives of Estonia

„And we all left Tartu with joyful huzzahs: we will fight to our last drop of blood for the tsar, fatherland and our Estonian brethren!”

Letter from Johann Kuus to Postimees, 1915.

Calisthenics used in military training for gymnasts. (1916)The National Archives of Estonia

Russian soldiers in a trench on the Russian-German front. (1914/1918) by Aleksander FunkThe National Archives of Estonia

“Sitting alone in this fetid swamp, you can go out of your mind, all the more so considering how frequently your nerves get rattled.” Letter from E. Rünge

Officers and soldiers of the 1st Estonian Regiment who fled Saaremaa, where they had been captives of the Germans (1917)The National Archives of Estonia

German soldiers forging horseshoes in Viljandi County (1918)The National Archives of Estonia

“As
the country is enduring economic hardship in the current Great War…”

 The world war wrought havoc for rural Estonian inhabitants, who made up 77% of the population in 1913. Although the stronger farms managed to expand their production thanks to the high food prices, a majority of farming households during the war experienced workforce shortages due to mobilization. The fact that draught horses, livestock and grain were requisitioned for the military made it hard for many farms to survive.

Call for gather ing berries. (1918)The National Archives of Estonia

Command ordering men to be sent to Elva railway station for construction work. (1915-10-24)The National Archives of Estonia

List of requisitioned cattle (1918)The National Archives of Estonia

Obtaining horses for the military in Tartu (1914)The National Archives of Estonia

Kereme farm (1915)The National Archives of Estonia

People wounded in the Battle of Warsaw, in the Tartu Estonian Red Cross hospital in the Estonian Students' Society building People wounded in the Battle of Warsaw, in the Tartu Estonian Red Cross hospital in the Estonian Students' Society building (1914-12-09) by Johannes PääsukeThe National Archives of Estonia

The
entire people – city and countryside – must take care of them!

  During the war, a number of charities were founded, such as the Estonian Black and Blue Cross and the Northern Baltic Committee, to help soldiers and their families as well as those injured in the war. Fundraising initiatives and charity events were held. Care had to be provided to soldiers wounded on the front, and the Red Cross led the effort to set up several lazarettos in Tartu.

Medical train from inside and outside Medical train from inside and outside (1914/1915)The National Archives of Estonia

Severely wounded soldier in the medical train (1914/1917) by Aleksander FunkThe National Archives of Estonia

Call from the Red Cross’s Tartu committee to establish lazarettos (1914-11-06)The National Archives of Estonia

Military hospital for Viljandi County municipalities, based in the famers’ society building. (1914/1915)The National Archives of Estonia

Hospital (1914)The National Archives of Estonia

Statue of the Estonian Black and Blue Cross and exhortations to municipal governments Statue of the Estonian Black and Blue Cross and exhortations to municipal governments (1914-12)The National Archives of Estonia

Black and Blue Cross office in Tallinn (1914/1915)The National Archives of Estonia

Exhortation from the Red Cross’s Livonian organization to donate to soldiers (1914-07-22)The National Archives of Estonia

Red Cross volunteers with a donations box (1914)The National Archives of Estonia

Loading of firewood at the timber market by H.StadenThe National Archives of Estonia


The
city has been dark for the third night


The war was felt most keenly by city residents when a food and heating fuel crisis developed. The governor of Livonia established limits on prices of staple goods in an attempt to regulate competition. The biggest burden on the townspeople was the obligation to quarter the military, which had space constraints. In spite of the state of war, Tartu grew and developed: several sections of street got a new stone pavement, new buildings were built and Karlova, Tähtvere and Purde neighbourhoods were joined with the city.

Price limits for foodstuffs and firefood, established in Tartu by order of the Governor of Livonia (1917-09-07)The National Archives of Estonia

Notice regarding arrival of sugar by train to Tartu (1916-07-20)The National Archives of Estonia

View of timber market by Friedrich LiblikThe National Archives of Estonia

The city is dark for the third night. Not a single street lantern is lighted in the evening. When the glimmer in the windows goes out toward midnight, only a thin crescent moon illuminates the city. The expected gas shortage has arrived.
Postimees, 6 March 1915

Food vouchers (1918)The National Archives of Estonia

German occupation forces marching on Raekoja [Raatuse] street. (1918) by Eduard SellekeThe National Archives of Estonia


All citizens are obliged to unswervingly submit to injunctions under martial law

The war started intruding on the lives of the people in Tartu right from the first days when a state of war was declared throughout the country, which meant various kinds of restrictions. Propaganda posters played an important part in influencing people’s mindset. In spite of it all, townspeople continued to take part in political life. In the confusion that followed the February Revolution, efforts to form a people’s militia were very active.

Promissory note for travelling to Narva and back (1918)The National Archives of Estonia

War loan poster (1916)The National Archives of Estonia

Notice from the executive committee of the Council of Working People and Military of Viljandi County on proclaiming a state of siege. (1918)The National Archives of Estonia

Tartu mayoral directive on taking control of the city (1918)The National Archives of Estonia

Demonstration in response to the decision of the Soviet Executive Committee of Estonia to disband the Estonian Provincial Assembly (1917-11-21)The National Archives of Estonia

Vanemuine theatre (1915)The National Archives of Estonia


An entertainment in 4 acts

In spite of the war and everyday hardship, life in Tartu went on as before in many respects. An active society and cultural life continued. Many concerts and events were held to benefit charities. The Vanemuine Theatre continued to produce plays. In the wartime years, the German Theatre building – now the Vanemuine’s small building – was built as well. Already before the war, a new phenomenon had gained popularity – the cinema. That was also the case in Tartu, where Estonia’s first permanent cinema, Illusioon, was opened in 1908.

Illusioon cinema at the Heinaturg (hay market) (1908) by H. StadenThe National Archives of Estonia

Ticket to the Ideal cinema (1917)The National Archives of Estonia

Programme for the cinema Apollo (1918)The National Archives of Estonia

Programme for the cinema Illusion (1918)The National Archives of Estonia

Programme for the cinema Ideal (1918)The National Archives of Estonia

Ruins of the Waldhof cellulose factory, blown up during World War One (1915/1936)The National Archives of Estonia

“Thus
forth we go to the Peace Congress…”


World War One changed national boundaries, society and people. On one hand, the war resulted in a tremendous human toll in those killed and wounded, and endless material losses, while on the other it resulted in rapid scientific and intellectual progress. The attitudes toward women and their role in society changed. Thus, for instance, during the war, women started receiving diplomas from the University of Tartu; they were given the right to vote, and the number of working women increased. From the perspective of the Estonian state, the war is also associated with the development of the basic idea of statehood and the declaration of independence in February 1918.

Sharpnel plant in the Russian Baltic shipyard (1916)The National Archives of Estonia

Alma Lübek (1915)The National Archives of Estonia

Certificate regarding the studies of Alma Lübek, the  rst Estonian woman enrolled at the University of Tartu. (1918-02-22)The National Archives of Estonia

Memorial to the fallen in the War of Independence and World War One (1929)The National Archives of Estonia

Credits: Story

This exhibition produced by the National Archives of Estonia serves to recall the fact that summer 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War One.

Exhibition compiled by:
Sven Lepa,
Liisi Taimre,
Kristel Tammik

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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Armistice Day
Commemorating the end of the First World War
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