Citation

Kann L. Tuna-Ajalookultuuri Ajak. 2015; (3): 90-.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

The objective of this article is to examine the circumstances related to the rally that took place at Tallinn's market square on 16 October 1905 that ended with soldiers opening fire on the crowd, relying chiefly on archival sources. As a micro-historical study, this paper attempts to reconstruct the event with its immediate prologue and epilogue. The broader background of the revolution is reflected less thoroughly, considering the space limitations that this article is subject to. The focus of this study is on how events in Tallinn developed to the point where the army was sent to quell the rally that had gathered at the market square. A description of what happened at the market square is presented along with some responses that this tragic event elicited. This event developed at an exceptional time and under exceptional conditions. The strike by railway employees that gripped all of Russia spread to Tallinn on 13 October and evolved into a general strike on the very next day already, bringing work at Tallinn's plants and factories to a standstill. Gangs roved about the city on the evening of 14 October smashing windows, robbing shops and setting fire to buildings. Tallinn's municipal authorities appealed to the city's workers on 15 October, asking them to help maintain order in the city. The workers agreed to participate in maintaining order but presented demands for the release of Tallinn's political prisoners, the withdrawal of the army from the streets, and for the municipal council to send a telegram to Russia's imperial government demanding civil liberties and the nationwide election of a legislative body. The municipal authorities and the governor agreed to the demands that had been presented and the ensuing night passed without any unrest in the city. The workers presented new demands to the authorities on 16 October. Among other things, they demanded that units of workers formed for law enforcement be given firearms. The governor rejected the new demands. Governor Lopukhin wrote in his report to the Minister of Internal Affairs that he was informed by telephone during the day on 16 October that a crowd of workers was gathering at the Uus turg (New Market Square) and that disturbances had started breaking out near the municipal council building. Governor Lopukhin telephoned the commander of the Tallinn garrison, who sent soldiers to the market square. Thereafter the governor was informed by telephone that information concerning disturbances was erroneous and that the rally was proceeding peacefully. The governor had telephoned the commander of the garrison to order the soldiers to return to their barracks but by then it was already too late. Without giving people the chance to disperse, soldiers opened fire on the meeting at the Uus turg, killing and wounding participants in the rally as well as random passers-by. It was later ascertained that 90 people were killed and 102 wounded at the market square. Most of the victims were workers from Tallinn, but there were also women and children among the fatalities. The funerals of the victims of the shooting were held on 20 October, and tens of thousands of people turned out to pay their respects to the victims.

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