Jaan Poska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jaan Poska
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| Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 24 February 1918 – 20 September 1919 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Ants Piip |
| Mayor of Tallinn | |
| In office 1913–1917 |
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| Preceded by | Voldemar Lender |
| Succeeded by | Gavriil Beljagin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 January 1866 Laiusevälja, Governorate of Livonia |
| Died | 7 March 1920 (aged 54) Tallinn, Estonia |
| Alma mater | University of Tartu |
Jaan Poska was a very important Estonian lawyer and politician. He played a huge role in helping Estonia become an independent country. He was the mayor of Tallinn and later Estonia's first Minister of Foreign Affairs. His work helped Estonia gain freedom and sign a very important peace treaty with Russia.
Contents
Jaan Poska: A Key Figure for Estonia
Early Life and Career
Jaan Poska was born on January 24, 1866, in Laiusevälja. This area was part of Livonia at the time. He studied law at the University of Tartu. He finished his studies in 1890. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer in Tallinn.
Mayor of Tallinn
From 1913 to 1917, Jaan Poska served as the mayor of Tallinn. As mayor, he worked to make many improvements in the city. He supported changes to healthcare. He also helped start two new schools. These actions showed his dedication to public service.
Leading Estonia to Independence
In April 1917, Poska became the governor of the Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. This was a big step towards Estonia's self-rule. On November 28, 1917, the Maapäev (Estonian Provincial Assembly) decided not to accept the new Bolshevik government in Russia. Instead, it said it was the highest legal power in Estonia.
The Republic of Estonia officially declared its independence on February 24, 1918. However, it was soon taken over by the German Empire. This occupation lasted until World War I ended. After that, Estonia fought its own War of Independence. This war against Baltic German and Russian forces lasted from 1918 to 1920.
On February 24, 1918, Poska was chosen as Estonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs. He traveled to Western Europe. His goal was to get other countries to recognize Estonia as an independent nation. He also took part in the Paris Peace Conference.
Poska led the peace talks with Soviet Russia. These talks were very important for Estonia's future. He successfully reached the Treaty of Tartu. This treaty was signed on February 2, 1920. It officially ended the war and recognized Estonia's independence.
See also
In Spanish: Jaan Poska para niños
