Konstantin Päts

Who was Konstantin Päts?

Konstantin Päts VR I/1 and III/1 was the most influential politician of interwar Estonia. He was one of the first Estonians to become active in politics and started an almost 40-year political rivalry with Jaan Tõnisson, first through journalism with his newspaper Teataja, later through politics. He was condemned to death during the 1905 Revolution, but managed to flee first to Switzerland, then to Finland, where he continued his literary work. He returned to Estonia, but had to spend time in prison in 1910–1911.

In 1917, Päts headed the Provincial Government of the Autonomous Governorate of Estonia, but was forced to go underground after the October Revolution. On 19 February 1918, Päts became one of the three members of the Estonian Salvation Committee, that issued the Estonian Declaration of Independence on 24 February. Konstantin Päts headed the Estonian Provisional Government, although being imprisoned during the German Occupation. In the Provisional Government, Päts also served as Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of War, that left him organizing Estonian troops for the War of Independence.