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end of the last Archbishop’s reign, the rest of the
CHAPTER 1 : A GLIMPSE
INTO THE BALTICS
Historical context
F For many of you,
Estonia, Latvia and
Lithuania may seem
to be pieces of a
single picture: the
Baltic countries. Geographically
speaking, that’s correct, as those
three countries are bordering the
Baltic Sea. However, this unique
denomination has its risks, and the
first would be to believe that there
is no differences between them.
That would be a great mistake!
As we’re about to begin our trip
to Tallinn and Riga, take a minute
to think. What do you know about
those countries? Not that much?
That’s okay! We were pretty much
like you just a few months
4 ago. So, let’s give you a
glimpse into the Baltics
Using the authority of the newly adopted Constitution
to help you understand where
we’re taking you for our Learning
Expedition. Ready? Let’s start!
The territory on which are
located Estonia and Latvia have
experienced a perpetual influence
from its powerful neighbours
and long periods of occupations.
Among them, Vikings, Swedes,
Germans, Danes and Russians took
possession of these territories in
turn, depending on conquests,
wars, peace and treaties.
From Livonia to Latvia and Estonia While the city of Riga enjoyed
The Baltic territories were unified
first in 1228, when Pope William
of Modena created the Livonian
Confederation, a group of small
starts spread over the present
Latvia and part of Estonia. Despite
numerous armed conflicts, the
territory prospered and extended
to the North in 1346 by the
purchase of Northern Estonia in
Denmark, thus tracing its current
borders.
The fall of the Confederation of
Livonia was precipitated by internal
political logic, which reflected the
ambition of the Russian Tsar to
establish one of its leaders at the
head of the Confederation. A war
with the Nordic countries led to
the fall of Livonia in 1567.
the protection of Sigismund II
Augustus, King of Poland and
Grand Duke of Lithuania, and
became a free imperial city at the
country was divided between Sweden, Denmark, the of 1933, Head of State Konstantin Päts led a pre-
Polish-Lithuanian Union and the Duchy of Courland emptive coup d’état on 12 March 1934 and proclaimed
(vassal of Poland-Lithuania). martial law. The period following the coup d’état is
known as the Era of Silence.
As early as 1582, the destinies of Latvia and Estonia
separated. They recrossed later during the Great Between 1934 and 1938, the country was ruled by
Northern War (1700 - 1721), which opposed Russia decree by Päts, reducing to silence any opposition
and Denmark to Sweden. This episode sealed over as political parties were banned and the parliament
200 years of common history. The defeat of Sweden could not hold a session. The Vaps Movement was
gave Russia the status of major power on the Baltic banned and more the 100 of its members were trial
Sea, and the Treaties of Stockholm (1719) and Nystad and convicted to long-term prison sentences. In 1938,
(1721) ceded Latvia (still Livonia at that time) and elections were held under the new constitution of
Estonia to Russia. 1937, as a sign of national restoration of democracy,
but opposition parties only manage to elect 26
The Baltics in the 20th century members out of 54, supporting the view that most
In March 1918, the Russian defeat to the German Estonians acquiesced in the Era of Silence. In the
Empire was sealed by the treaty of Brest-Litovsk. Per meantime, members of the Vaps Movement were
the treaty, the Baltic states were ceded to the German granted an amnesty and freed, but the movement had
Empire. After the German defeat on the 11th November lost most of its popular support.
1918, remaining soldiers of the Empire and soldiers
of the Red Army still fought on national soil of both The history of the first republic of Latvia may seem
countries, before their obtained a real independence odd like the first republic of Estonia, but you must
in 1920. After 1920, the foreign countries were unsure keep in mind that the 30s were a period of populism
about whether they should recognize both Latvia and in a clear majority of Europe. When Latvia was finally
Estonia. They were recognized de jure in 1921 as they
liberated from the Soviets in 1920, the elections
to the Constitutional Assembly of Latvia were held.
entered the League of Nation.
The results led to a pattern that marked all the
future parliaments, where a high number of parties
The first election in Estonia where held in April
1919, as soon as the Red Army was kicked out of representing small interest groups obliged the
the national territory. The elected assembly wrote
formation of unstable coalition governments. Between
a new constitution for the country. They decided to
different Prime Ministers. Over the night of May 16
adopt a parliamentary regime, that ended up being 1922 and 1934, Latvia had 13 governments led by 9
unadapted to the crisis that followed. The legislative 1934, Prime Minister Kãrlis Ulmanis and Minister
power was represented by a unique assembly of of War Jãnis Balodis, both considered as fathers of
100 representatives, elected for three years. The
Latvian independence, organized a bloodless coup
Estonians citizens had extended rights, including d’état, leading to the suspension of both Parliament
1919 and 1934, Estonia had 21 governments. In censorship established and political parties banned.
and Constitution. State of War was introduced, press
the ability to initiate popular referendum. Between
Ulmanis established an executive non-parliamentary
the 1930s, a antiparliamentary and anti-communist
Estonian War of Independence, emerged. It passed in
dictators of the time, did not create a ruling party.
Vaps Movement, the Union of Participants in the authoritarian regime, but unlike other European
October 1933 a constitutional reform that replaced Instead, he created a state-controlled Chambers of
the parliamentary system by a presidential form of Professions, based on a corporatist model that was
government. While first presidential election was to also chosen by Konstantin Päts. Its main angle of
take place in April 1934, Estonian elites viewed in communication was the claimed that two heroes of
the Vaps movement a threat of republican takeover the Latvia War of Independence had saved the nation
by populist. This was emphasised by the European from multi-party chaos and allowed them to have a
political context and the rise of Adolf Hitler as a better life.
widely admired populist model.
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