"parlamentarian" - 1 õppematerjal

English portfolio

The Estonian `social mentality' as a whole remained in opposition to the central Russian government; nationalism and socialism were the major political trends. Within the early 20th century national movement, the moderate and radical wings were clearly profiled. The moderates who gathered around the Tartu newspaper Postimees (the first issue was published in 1891), founded by Jaan Tõnisson and pastor Villem Reiman, wanted to transform the Russian authoritarian rule into parlamentarian government, i.e. constitutional monarchy. They also demanded citizens' rights in Russia, modelled upon those in Western Europe. The moderate ideologists relied on liberal reforms and legal, non-violent means of political struggle. They were afraid to suggest direct resistance to Russian authorities that could result in mass repression and destroy the Estonian people. In opposition to the moderates, the Tallinn newspaper Teataja (1901­1905), its publisher