The sovietization of the baltic states refers to the sovietization of all spheres of life in estonia, latvia and lithuania when they were under control of the soviet union. After wwi, finland, estonia, latvia, lithuania, and poland emerged as independent nations. The important factor here is the expectation of foreign domination and the sense that events were beyond lithuanian control. I am tentatively planning a two week trip to estonia, latvia, and lithuania arriving in tallinn from the us on thursday, july 21 and departing vilnius on wednesday, august 3 estonia, latvia, lithuania 2 week trip itinerary estonia lonely planet forum thorn tree. Lithuanian collaboration during the second world war 143 option, others favoring a tilt towards the soviet union, and elements sympathetic to britain and america, the \anglosaxon alternative. Why is the ethnic russian population of estonia and latvia. Estonia, latvia, lithuania and the path to independence 9780300060782. Books and films about the baltic countries rick steves. I am a history, and specifically a ww ii buff, since my father served. Be inspired to visit by the new, thoroughly revised edition of insight guide estonia, latvia and lithuania, a comprehensive fullcolor guide to the baltic states. Estonia, latvia, and lithuania have been part of the european union since 2004 while renovations of numerous heritage sites are being undertaken all over, large parts of the countries are still untouched by the western lifestyle. Estonia, latvia, and lithuania were occupied by the soviets and entered into the union following wwii. Find books set in the baltics, including lithuania, latvia, and estonia.
Although some coordination existed between germany and the ussr early in the war, the soviet union communicated to nazi germany its decision to launch its own invasion seventeen days after germanys invasion, as a result, in part, of the unforeseen rapidity of the polish military collapse. Insight guides estonia, latvia and lithuania travel guide with free ebook. Inside insight guide estonia, latvia and lithuania. World war 2 in lithuania 1940 1944 the cruelties of first soviet occupation, of a scale not seen in lithuania since the russian empire rule, led to a widespread despise of the regime in less than a year. The baltic countries estonia, latvia and lithuania were chosen as this years market focus for the london book fair 2018, celebrating the centennial of their independent republics and introducing the exciting chance to discover epic past and vibrant, inventive present through the. Forcibly annexed to the soviet union fiftyone years earlier, the baltic statesestonia, latvia, and lithuaniaregained independence in 1991 after an abortive coup in moscow that accelerated the collapse of the soviet regime. The occupation of lithuania by nazi germany lasted from the german invasion of the soviet union on june 22, 1941 to the end of the battle of memel on january 28, 1945. After wwi, finland, estonia, latvia, lithuania, and poland. The germans marched into western and central poland, while the soviet union took control of belarus, eastern poland, estonia, latvia, and lithuania, establishing its military headquarters in vilna. The cobblestone streets of tallinn, along with the fascinating curonian spit in lithuania or the charming old town of vilnius are just a few of the many sights our baltic tours provide. You can also find indelible on our top wwii book list. The baltic nations estonia, latvia and lithuania enjoyed a brief independence between the world wars before being annexed by the ussr in 1940 during world war ii. Insight guides estonia, latvia and lithuania travel guide. Shortly after world war i, efforts were made to conclude a baltic defense alliance among finland, estonia, latvia, lithuania, and poland, all of which had recently read more.
The republic of estonia declared neutrality in the war but fell under the soviet sphere of influence due to the molotovribbentrop pact and was occupied by the soviet union in 1940. Before long it was also divided into east and west. Head to latvias treasure, jurmala, the place where the icy blue waters of baltic sea meet white sandy beaches. The baltic countries and their years of independence, 1918. Osprey maa 363 germanys eastern front allies baltic estonia. Lithuania is the only catholic baltic state while the others are protestant. In june 1940, the soviet red army marched into lithuania and fully annexed it to the soviet union. My partner and i will be travelling for 1 month in those countries by combination of public transport and car.
Historically, if we look at the entire span of european history since the dark ages, placing estonia, latvia and lithuania into one grouping is very difficult. Once abroad, i hungrily perused the shelves of an estonian bookstore since more obscuretranslated eastern. Some note that the events in lithuania differed from its two more northerly neighbors, with. Government estonia is governed under the constitution of 1992. Since that time, latvia, lithuania, and estonia have enjoyed. Chronologically the article begins with the outbreak of the war in august 1914 and ends with the conclusion of the polishsoviet peace treaty in riga on 18 march 1921. After the collapse of the soviet union in 1991, all three countries restored. My reply to richardb747 and his lying movie in hitlers footsteps. The truth about russians in latvia lithuania and estonia. Along with estonia, latvia is one of the most forested countries in the eu, covered by over 50% forest. I have learned that narva, estonia was a beautiful baroque old town before world war 2 but soviet air force destroyed 98% of the town. In 1940, the soviets occupied neutral latvia, deporting or executing more than 30,000 latvians before the nazis.
This effectively ended the history of lithuania minor. History and culture in estonia, latvia, and lithuania 19182018 will open may 10 and run through august 18, 2018 in the cecil h. These include books, periodicals, and primary source holdings at stanford university. The ideals of nationalism and selfdetermination had taken hold with many people as a result of having the independent states of estonia and latvia for the first time since the th century. It is not until the time of the second world war that we can historically label the three. We will have 10 days to spend in estonialatvialithuania from 26th july 5th august 2010.
Much germanowned property was confiscated and new dictatorships in estonia, latvia and lithuania eroded the timehonored german influence, banning germanlanguage schools, institutions, and newspapers. Lithuanian and latvian are the closest related languages and part of the baltic language. When world war ii ended, the west chose to forget lithuania. After nazi germany invaded the soviet union on june 22, 1941, army group north reached estonia in july. Baltic states were formerly independent republics of estonia, latvia and lithuania, sometimes including finland. The battle for the baltics in world war ii general military 9781472807496. Estonias major trade partners are finland, sweden, germany, russia, and its fellow baltic states, latvia and lithuania. Mar 01, 2016 insight guides estonia, latvia and lithuania travel guide with free ebook insight guides on. They were then annexed into the soviet union as constituent republics in august 1940, though most western powers and. Baltic entente, mutualdefense pact signed by lithuania, latvia, and estonia on sept. Plus, latvia experienced less world war 2 destruction than lithuania or estonia, therefore, there is more old towns in latvia. On the 16th june 1940, the soviet union made further demands of estonia, which was basically a surrender ultimatum.
Dec 07, 2016 perhaps the question you should be asking is why was lithuania not russified as much as estonia and latvia during its occupation by the soviet union. When i was in school in the 60s, we were taught about these countries and how they were under the jackboot of soviet control. The holocaust in lithuania facing history and ourselves. In lithuania local partisans were very dangerous for russian settlers almost for decade after end of ww2. The ground for the fate of estonia in world war ii was laid by the germansoviet nonaggression pact, particularly its secret additional protocol of august 1939. Estonia, latvia, lithuania 2 week trip itinerary estonia. Prior to world war ii estonia, latvia and lithuania each experienced an authoritarian head of state who had come to power after a bloodless coup. Shortly after world war i, efforts were made to conclude a baltic defense alliance among finland, estonia, latvia, lithuania, and poland, all of which had recently broken away from the russian empire to. World war i was also known as the great war, the world war, the war of the nations, and the war to end all wars. He is russian liarcoward, which fears to post my video as video res. Several of the books in the series contain photographs that have been ed.
Valdis lumans provides an authoritative, balanced, and comprehensive account of one of the most complex, and conflicted, arenas of the second world war. Mnh mnh x182 germany ww2 ostland insurance revenue stamp estonia latvia lithuania. List of books and articles about estonian history online. Shortly after world war i, efforts were made to conclude a baltic defense alliance among finland, estonia. We will have 10 days to spend in estonia latvia lithuania from 26th july 5th august 2010. Lithuanian collaboration during the second world war. Buttar did a great job covering the bad, the ugly, and the evil of the eastern front and the complexity that soldiers found themselves in while their homes were being fought over by both the soviet red army and the nazis. Bulgaria, estonia, latvia, lithuania, romania, slovakia and slovenia were invited to begin accession talks at the alliances prague summit in 2002. I remember being told that part of the reason why there is such difference between immigration in estonia latvia and lithuania, is that local communist governments of estonia latvia desired great cities with large populations to get such benefits as metro, while lithuanian communists feared to lose their influence in government so they tried to limit colonization. In 1920, by the peace of tartu, soviet russia recognized estonias independence. Baltic sea is surrounded by sweden, finland, russia, poland and germany.
Hey guys, i would just like to check if anyone has travelled backpacking in estonia, latvia and lithuania. The paperback of the estonia, latvia, and lithuania. In hopes of reestablishing independence or regaining some autonomy, lithuanians organized. Although hopes were raised for the restoration of the countrys independence, it was soon realized that. Following wwii, the soviet union absorbed estonia back into its. In december 1939, with the soviet attack on finland, 3,000 estonians sailed across the baltic and fought on finlands side, with the majority remaining to form the estonian legion in finland after the war ended in march 1940. Initially the germans were perceived by most estonians as liberators from the ussr and its repressions, having arrived only a week after the first mass deportations from the baltic states. At first the germans were welcomed as liberators from the repressive soviet regime which occupied lithuania prior to the german arrival. We would like to see all 3 capitals plus a few other highlights if possible using public transport. World war ii began with the invasion of poland, an important regional ally of estonia, by germany. Why was lithuania colonized by russians to much lesser extent. The first period deals with the occupation from june 1940 to july 1941 when the german occupation began.
Estonia, latvia and lithuania tallinn forum tripadvisor. The battle for the baltics in world war ii by prit buttar. Details about x182 germany ww2 ostland insurance revenue stamp estonia latvia lithuania. Antanas smetona in lithuania december 1926, konstantin pats in estonia, and karlis ulmanis in latvia. German occupation of lithuania during world war ii wikipedia. They were then annexed into the soviet union as constituent republics in august 1940, though most western powers and nations never recognised their incorporation. The occupation of the baltic states involved the military occupation of the three baltic states estonia, latvia and lithuania by the soviet union under the auspices of the 1939 molotovribbentrop pact in june 1940. Legation to the united states during and after world war ii. The red army including nkvd was and still huge machine, which controlled people for more then 50 years. Osprey maa 363 germanys eastern front allies baltic. The map was established to help countries aspiring to nato membership in their preparations, even if it did not prejudge any decisions.
Ellen i started a thread on this subject im also headed for lithuania, latvia and estonia in about two weeks over here. In the summer of 1940 the occupation of estonia was carried through as a regular military operation. Furthermore, most of lithuania minor was annexed to russia as kaliningrad oblast. Like most of the european countries forming around this time, the nations of estonia, latvia and lithuania were set up as democratic republics. Estonia, latvia and lithuania as the battleground of the soviet union.
Estonia and latvia endured centuries of domination by a baltic german aristocracy. There are many differences between these countries which ill try to list. The end of world war ii saw germany dramatically reduced in size. But not so for estonia, latvia, lithuania, ukraine and northern east prussia. As independent states, none had the right to annex another. Jan 01, 20 between giants is the story of the baltic states, latvia, estonia and lithuania, during world war two. Since the end of the cold war there has been an increased interest in the baltics. Since gaining their independence, each country has developed at its own pace with. Lithuania concluded a border treaty with poland on 7 october 1920 suwalki agreement, which was violated by the polish occupation of vilnius only two days later. If it was illegal for estonia, latvia, lithuania, finland and poland to secede from the russian empire and form themselves into autonomous states, it was equally illegal for the rfsr to secede from the russian empire and form an independent state.
Lithuania, latvia and estonia are friendly and welldeveloped, but even premiumpaying customers can seldom expect to be steered through their holiday or business trip without a bit of understanding how things work. Significance of the independence wars subsequently, the wars of independence were mythologized in interwar estonia, latvia, and lithuania. Several of the books in the series contain photographs that have been. Im finishing my 2 weeks in estonia this sunday and going to latvia, lithuania and poland after. Lithuania, latvia and estonia have paid an extremely high price for their rebellion behaviours, and are unlikely ever to receive the honour and the redress they deserve for their courage to fight the injustice they were subjected to during the ruthless soviet period.
They are bounded on the west and north by the baltic sea, on the east by russia, on the southeast by belarus, and on the southwest by poland and an exclave of russia. Perhaps the question you should be asking is why was lithuania not russified as much as estonia and latvia during its occupation by the soviet union. Their language was indoeuropean including lettish, lithuanian and the extinct old prussian. Aug 08, 2014 lithuania was most industrialized of 3 baltic republics, so industrialization is not the reason for large russian immigration. The latvian language belongs to the same baltoslavic family as lithuanian. The captions for these photographs clearly indicate the protected status of the images. German occupation of estonia during world war ii wikipedia. This article presents a survey of the first world war in the region of todays states of estonia, latvia, lithuania and finland. The baltic states brings together three titles, estonia, latvia and lithuania, to provide a comprehensive and analytical guide integrating history, political science, economic development and contemporary events into one account.
After a brutal genocide 300 000 locals murdered, among them 000 lithuanians the regions population was replaced by soviet settlers and new russian placenames were coined for its towns and features. Shortly after crossing into lithuania, the last and most southern country on your baltic road trip, you will encounter the mysterious hill of crosses. Estonia, latvia, and lithuania all play host to some of the best european. Between giants is the story of the baltic states, latvia, estonia and lithuania, during world war two. Defence secretary says small number will be sent to poland, latvia, lithuania and estonia, as tensions rise between west and russia following syria airstrikes published. Struggling against both germany and the soviet union, latvia emerged as an independent nation state after the first world war. Imports include machinery, chemical products, textiles, foodstuffs, and transportation equipment. A very good focus on estonia, latvia, and lithuania from the end of ww1 to the end of ww2, most of the book focuses on ww2.
For various reasons, after some time spent in leningrad where she was working. Stunning, speciallycommissioned photography that brings the three distinct countries and their people. Estonia, latvia and lithuania since 1945 contemporary worlds at. The second period covers 1944 when the soviet forces pushed the german out, until 1991 when independence was declared. The best baltic literature of 2018 five books expert. Why is the ethnic russian population of estonia and latvia so. In order to get the most recent news about estonian, latvian, and lithuanian. Largest part of russian population moved into baltic countries soon after ww2. Baltic states and finland international encyclopedia of the. Why was lithuania colonized by russians to much lesser. All other text and graphics are in the public domain. I believe the best example of russification and in a sense colonization was the mass immigrat.
Baltic states, northeastern region of europe containing the countries of estonia, latvia, and lithuania, on the eastern shores of the baltic sea. Defence secretary says small number will be sent to poland, latvia, lithuania and estonia, as tensions rise between west and russia following syria airstrikes. Stanford libraries new exhibit considers 100 years of baltic history. Estonia, latvia, and lithuania gained their independence in 1918 after the collapse of the russian empire. More than 60,000 total germans left latvia as did thousands from the other baltic areas from 1939 until 1941. The baltic countries estonia, latvia and lithuania were chosen as this years market focus for the london book fair 2018, celebrating the centennial of their independent republics and introducing the exciting chance to discover epic past and vibrant, inventive present through the strong voice of modern literature. This volume is one in a continuing series of books prepared by the federal research division of the library of congress. How are estonia, latvia and lithuania, different from each. Sorry been not active to reply but i would like to thank you all for your messages. Caught between the giants of the soviet union and the third reich, latvia, lithuania, and estonia became.
555 1369 1023 805 1402 72 1086 942 1409 279 366 1488 332 963 1277 1117 586 1415 700 342 181 1481 115 225 1186 1146 210 1174 614 289 959 352 125