Estonians are one of the longest-settled European peoples, who seem to have lived on the southeastern shores of the Baltic Sea since around over 5,000 years. It doesn't come to the formation of an Estonian statehood. Estonia becomes part of Denmark in 1219 and is sold by Denmark to the Teutonic Knights in 1346. Estonia is conquered by Sweden in 1561 and by Russia in 1721.

After the Russian revolutions Estonia declares independence in 1918 as the Republic of Estonia. This is followed by a German occupation, that establish a Baltic State in 1918, that unites Estonia with Latvia. Between 1918 and 1919 Estonia is ruled by communists, who name the country the Estonian Conciliar Republic. In 1919 the Republic of Estonia is restored. Estonia becomes a parliamentary democracy without a president. The country is instable, between 1921 and 1931 it has 11 governments. Governments are led by the so-called state elders, who are mostly in office for less then a year. Konstantin Päts, former leader of the Põllumeeste Kogu (Unions of Farmers, PK), becomes state elder in 1933 for the fifth time and from that position he becomes state protector in 1937 and in 1938 the first president. In fact Estonia develops during his rule into a dictatorship. He establishes in 1935 the Isamaa Liit (Fatherland League) and forbids all other parties.

In the beginning of World War II, in 1940, the USSR occupies Estonia and incorporates it as the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic. Between 1941 and 1944 Estonia is occupied by Germany, but the USSR regains control in 1944. In the 1980s the authority of the Estonian communist party wanes and other political parties are established.

In 1990 Estonia holds free elections and Edgar Savisaar of the Eestimaa Rahvarinne (Estonian Popular Front) becomes prime minster. In 1991 the Republic of Estonia regains independence and becomes a parliamentary democratic republic. Savisaar founds in 1991 the Eesti Keskerakond (Estonian Centre Party). Savisaar is suceeded in 1992 by Tiit Vähi of the liberal Eesti Koonderakond as a care taker prime minister. After the elections of 1992 the christian democratic Rahvuslik Koonderakond Isamaa (National Coalition Fatherland) becomes the largest party and its leader, Mart Laar becomes prime minister. Lennart Meri of the same party becomes president. In 1994 Laar has to resign and Siim Kallas becomes shortly care taker prime minister, succeeded later that year by Andres Tarand of the social-democratic Mõõdukad (Moderates). Vähi becomes prime minister after the elections of 1995 in various coalitions but has to resign in 1997. He is succeeded by his co-partisan Märt Siimann. He leads the party to a major defeat in 1999. After these elections Laar can form a centre-right coaltion. In 2001 Arnold Rüütel is elected president. When Laar resignes in 2002 Siim Kallas of the liberal Eesti Reformierakond (Reform Party) becomes the new Prime Minister. The elections of 2003 lead to a victory of the new populist Res Publica party and its leader, Juhan Parts becomes prime minister. Estonia joins the European Union in 2004.