This list is comprised of Estonian Presidents and Prime Ministers. The modern country of Estonia came into being in 1918 after World War I, though from 1940 to 1991 it was controlled by the Soviets, the Nazis and then the Soviets again. The President is the head of state, a ceremonial role, while the Prime Minister is the head of government (Peaminister in Estonian). From 1920 to 1938 the head of state was called the State Elder (Riigivanem).