Salvation Committee

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Estonian Salvation Committee: Konstantin Päts, Jüri Vilms, Konstantin Konik

The Salvation Committee (Estonian: Päästekomitee or Eestimaa Päästmise Komitee) was the executive body of the Estonian Maapäev that issued the Estonian Declaration of Independence.

The Salvation Committee was created on February 19, 1918 by Maapäev in a situation where Russian forces were retreating and forces of Imperial Germany were advancing in Estonia during World War I. The committee was granted full decision-making powers to ensure the continued activity of the Maapäev. Members of Salvation Committee were Konstantin Päts, Jüri Vilms and Konstantin Konik. It drafted a declaration of independence that was approved by elders of the Maapäev. The Salvation Committee publicly proclaimed Estonia an independent and democratic republic, on February 23 in Pärnu and on February 24 in Tallinn. It also appointed a Provisionary Government, led by Konstantin Päts.