Mihkel Pung facts for kids
Mihkel Pung (born October 19, 1876, in Vana-Põltsamaa Parish, now Põltsamaa Parish) was an important Estonian politician. He served as a government minister and a leader in the Estonian parliament. Mihkel Pung passed away on October 11, 1941, in a Soviet prison camp.
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Mihkel Pung: A Life in Estonian Politics
Mihkel Pung was born in 1876 in a place called Vana-Põltsamaa Parish. This area is now part of Põltsamaa Parish in Estonia. He grew up to become a very active person in his country's government.
Serving Estonia as a Minister
Mihkel Pung held several important jobs in the Estonian government. These roles are like being a leader who helps run the country. He was responsible for different parts of how Estonia worked.
Minister of Finance
In 1931, Mihkel Pung became the Minister of Finance. This job meant he was in charge of Estonia's money matters. He helped manage the country's budget and how money was spent. It was a very important role for the country's economy.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Later, Mihkel Pung also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia. This role involves dealing with other countries. A Minister of Foreign Affairs helps build good relationships with nations around the world. They also represent their country on the global stage.
Leading the National Council
From April 21, 1938, to July 5, 1940, Mihkel Pung was the Speaker of the National Council. The National Council was the upper chamber of Estonia's parliament. Being a Speaker means he was the leader of this important group. He helped guide discussions and decisions in the parliament. This was a key position in Estonia's government.
Challenges During World War II
Estonia faced very difficult times during World War II. In 1940, the Soviet Union invaded Estonia. This event is known as the Soviet invasion of Estonia. Many Estonian leaders were arrested during this time.
Mihkel Pung was one of the people arrested. He was sent to a Soviet gulag. A gulag was a type of prison camp in the Soviet Union. He was held in a camp called Sevurallag, located in Sverdlovsk Oblast. Sadly, Mihkel Pung died in this prison camp in 1941.