Artur Sirk joined the Estonian Demobilised Soldiers League upon its formation in 1921 which led to him starting the Vaps Movement, which mirrored many of the characteristics of the communist movement.
The organisation was founded in 1929, and emerged as a mass anti-communist and anti-parliamentary movement. 
Vaps adopted an increasingly paramilitary style that mirrored many of the characteristics of the fascist movements growing elsewhere in Europe and Sirk, who was talented orator and charismatic demagogue, was soon recognised as the movement's driving force. 
