The United States and Estonia, 1918–1921: Approval de facto before Recognition

Abstract

In terms of population, the Republic of Estonia was the smallest country to gain independence after the First World War. While according to President Woodrow Wilson’s policies, the United States was considered a supporter of small countries, gaining de jure recognition for Estonia from America was a complicated issue. This article analyses Estonia’s struggle for recognition through the triangle of American-Bolshevik-Estonian relations during the years 1918–1921. In achieving recognition, economic rather than political or ideological arguments became decisive.

Keywords

• estonian independence; de facto and de jure recognition; president woodrow wilson’s policy; self-determination