The dawning of glasnost and perestroika, measures designed to open the Soviet Union to the rest of the world and increase liberalization within the Soviet Union, provided the opportunity for Estonia to move towards independence. ^[7] Estonia approached the independence issue with the Soviet Union using argument and strategy, drawing from events in history and its relationship with the West. ^[8]   Effective protesting, campaigns to the public, and acts of defiance towards the Soviet Union elicited only lukewarm responses from the Kremlin. ^[9]   Over the course of time, Estonia built a solid foundation that would allow them to separate from the Soviet Union without suffering major repercussions.  Differing from other Baltic countries, Estonia’s declaration of independence was not an outright break with the Soviet Union; rather, the attempt was to find a compromise between the radical and moderate positions within the Estonian political system. ^[10]   Although the Soviet Union attempted to thwart Estonia’s efforts by use of protests and hit-and-run attacks along the border, Gorbachev had no choice but to begin official talks with Estonia on March 28, 1991. ^[11]

            The talks with the Soviet Union proved to be nothing but a stalling tactic in Estonia’s quest for independence.  Turmoil was brewing in several other areas of the Soviet Union, and one of main concern to Estonia was the attempted coup in Moscow on the night of August 19, 1991. ^[12]   In response to the coup, the Soviets began moving light military equipment into Tallinn, and fearing a total crackdown by the Soviet army, the Estonian parliament began to take action.  The legislature, known as the Supreme Council, met at 11:00 P.M. to pass a final resolution declaring full independence and requesting international recognition. ^[13]   In the weeks following, several countries began recognizing an independent Estonia, including Russia itself, and finally on September 6, 1991, the Soviet Union recognized Estonia as a sovereign state. ^[14]  

            Although Estonia began the process of state building quickly after declaring independence, the state was not without its issues and problems. Several factors needed to be taken into consideration, including the establishment of a stable, balanced government, the transition from a planned economy to a comparatively chaotic market economy, and the negotiation between different groups represented within the Estonian population.  Estonia was not alone in facing this Triple Transition; all Soviet-satellite countries were struggling with these issues.  However, the methods by which the Estonians dealt with each transition sets them apart from other countries, even their Baltic neighbors.

            Politically, Estonia was different from their Baltic neighbors in that it moved quickly to establish a new governmental system. ^[15]   It immediately began the process of drafting a new constitution, using thirty members each from the Supreme Council and the Congress of Estonia. ^[16]   This defused tension between the two groups and allowed for equal representation.  The main focus of the constitution was to continue the democratic spirit of the prewar constitution while adding mechanisms to maintain the balance of the power of the state, something Estonia had struggled with in the prewar years. ^[17]  

^[7] Ibid.
^[8] Ibid.
^[9] Ibid.
^[10] Ibid.
^[11] Ibid.
^[12] Ibid.
^[13] Ibid.
^[14] Ibid.
^[15] Ibid.
^[16] Ibid.
^[17] “Estonia at a Glance: The State-Structure and Symbols.”  http://www.estemb.org