Nazi Germany's occupation of Estonia in 1941 signaled a critical shift during World War II, particularly on the Eastern Front. Following the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Operation Barbarossa, in June of that year, the Wehrmacht advanced rapidly and met little effective resistance from the Red Army. As Soviet troops retreated, Estonia was left vulnerable. On September 5, German forces completed their campaign, establishing control over the entire territory of the country. This occupation was marked by the rapid implementation of Nazi policies, which included the persecution of Jews and other groups targeted by the regime.

The occupation led to significant economic and social changes, with local governance transitioning under German military authority. The Nazis introduced various measures aimed at integrating the region into the Third Reich. They purged political dissent, set up forced labor camps, and began a campaign of Russification and Germanization. Local Estonian authorities were often coerced into collaboration, while many citizens faced repression. Estonia, having been occupied first by the Soviets and then by Germany, experienced severe dislocation and trauma during this period.

The impact of Nazi rule in Estonia was profound and devastating. The Jewish population suffered greatly, as Nazi ideology and policies resulted in widespread persecution, leading to significant loss of life. The subsequent conscription of local men into German military ranks compounded the human toll. The occupation lasted until the Red Army re-entered Estonia in 1944, but the scars of this brutal regime remained long afterward. The events of this time fundamentally altered the course of Estonian history and set the stage for future conflicts in the region.