The communist coup attempt in Estonia on 1 December 1924, orchestrated from Soviet Russia, was a wake-up call. The coup was suppressed within hours, but not before nine civilians, eleven members of the armed forces, five police officers and one border guard were killed.

In its aftermath, Estonian society was able to draw the right conclusions at least for a time. Back in 1918, when Estonia's statehood and institutions were still fragile and exhausted from the First World War, many believed the country had no need for a standing army and that a police force alone would suffice. Now, it became clear that even the military and police combined were not enough. The Defence League was reactivated, and the Security Police was reorganised into a more effective institution.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the coup attempt, the Estonian War Museum has produced a travelling exhibition. This exhibition catalogue includes photographs, documents, letters, memoirs and diary entries that could not be included in the exhibition but deserve attention.