International Law and Justice Working Papers - IILJ

Bulmerincq recounted how “the Baltic sea provinces recognized historically Protestantism, the
predominance of German language and German law.” Nevertheless, Bulmerincq was not a
political hardliner and recognized it as a historical problem that the social stratification largely
followed the ethnic lines and the native peoples, the Estonians and Latvians, while constituting
the big numerical majority in the provinces, had been kept in the lower status as peasants and
servants. 104
Interesting is Bulmerincq’s account of the end of the independence of the Old Livonia after the
Russians caused its collapse when in 1558, ending an earlier peace treaty, Moscow started a
military campaign against the country. – “Old Livonia could have continued to exist for further
centuries, if the neighbouring peoples would not have pushed it too hard, if the scarcity of its
own military forces and the lack of inner unanimity would not have defended it too badly and if
the German Reich would not have left it out helplessly, notwithstanding the repeated requests for
support.” 105 There was a sense of nostalgia for the lost independence of Old Livonia in this
interpretation of Bulmerincq. In addition, there was an expression of disappointment for betrayal,
so often felt y colonists and borderlands with respect to their distant “motherlands”.
Ultimately, Russia was unable to gain control over the Old Livonia and the country was divided
between Poland and Sweden in 1583. “Was there through Livonia not only divided but also its
political independence stolen, the divided lands and conquered towns had at least to watch out to
defend their confession, their language, their laws, their unique institutions and possessions.
Although at this hour of danger, the motherland was not ready to help and keep the German
104 Bulmerincq, p. 5.
105 Bulmerincq, p. 9.