1. Nationalisation of youth organisations The case of Estonia
Marti Taru, Eli Pilve

2. The case of Estonia
Youth organisations, youth work methods have been used in the context achieving political and social goals
Entrepreneurial mindset, employment, behaviour control, national identity, health behaviour, …
Youth organisations used by state: Germany, SU, Romania, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, …
Youth organisations with natsionalist emphasize

3. “More European culture! Be Estonian but remain European!”
Estonia was incorporated into Russian Empire. Organisational activism in general was banned, except temperance societies and church related societies.
National awakening in the middle of 19th century:
German example, (tho estonias vs Germans) national idendity, school teachers, different educational classes.
In the end of 19th century, national awakening as a reaction to Russification
Development of economy, heavy industry, transport  socialist ideas and youth organisations
Proclamation of independence in 1918
Churches: Sunday schools, boarding schools, societys for boys and girls, legal
Temperance societies,
Sports groups,
Choirs, orchestras, theatrical groups
handicraft rings,
reading and discussion, literature societies,
self-education societies focusing on skills necessary in agrarian societies

4. Youth activities in the beginning of independence
By early 1920s 4 types of youth organisations
BY ADULTS, FOR YOUTH, SCHOOL-BASED: Pupils’ hobby rings in schools, Under supervision of teachers , temperance societies, red cross chapters
BY ADULTS, FOR YOUTH, ORGANISATION-BASED: religioos organisations, youth chapters o Farmer societies,
BY YOUTH, FOR YOUTH. Youth started and youth led organisations outside school, focus on self-development, learning
BY YOUTH, FOR YOUTH, WITH ADULT SUPPORT: scouts, young blacksmiths
Legally based on educational acts, starting from mid 1920s on a NGO act.
Noorsepad – scouting organisations with nation-building emphasize, separated from scouts in early 1920s.

5. Defence League youth corps
1925: Defence League should have its own youth chapter
In the longer time perspective, young people should be contributing to nation’s development
1928: DL established youth corps’:
boys’ corps Noored Kotkad / Young Eagles,
girls’ corps Kodutütred
No members yet…

6. Defence League youth corps
1929: negotiations between Defence League and Young Blacksmiths
Young Blacksmiths as potentially the first chapter of Defence League youth corps
1930: Young Blacksmiths became Young Eagles, Defence League girls’ corps started
1933: scouts and guides should be integrated into Defence League youth corps

7. Coup d'état in 1934
President Konstantin Päts: nation was sick of democracy and different opinions, people need unified leadership, people need peace, people need purpose and goals, nation needs be cured.
Political parties banned
Authoritarian era: President ruled the country by his orders and decrees. „Silent era“

8. Unification of youth organisations
1934: the need to unify all youth organisations
Their larger contribution to nation-building expected
The number of organised youth needs be increased (up to 100%)
1936: Youth Organisation Act
Youth organisations as a tool for supporting achievement of national / nation-building goals

9. Unification of youth organisations
1938: amendments to the YOA:
President become patron of the YO
Supreme commander of the Defence Forces became the head of the YO
YOs could be registered only with permission from the Minister of Education
Legal structure to exercise state control over youth organisations was established
At that time, YOs virtually the only form of youth work

10. Unification of youth organisations
No serious critique or protests from youth organisations
„Eesti Noored“ / „Youth of Estonia“
Youth of Estonia Act to be adopted in 1939 (May)
More significant things started to happen:
WWII
Soviet Union troops moved in to Estonia in October 1939

11. Youth of Estonia, 1940

12. Youth of Estonia 1942 German version
1938 Presedents spesific instruction: Estonian Youth is going to start working in 1940
1940 Soviet occupation
1941 German occupation
1942 Estonian Youth established = same name, different ideology
Estonians only, no jews allowed. Not sure about Russians, rather not a problem.
Ivo Grossbergi mälestused

13. Thank you for your attention 