History of Latvia: a Brief Survey

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German army in Rīga, autumn 1917.In September 1917 in German-occupied Rīga, Latvian political parties formed a coalition,the Democratic Bloc (Demokrātiskais bloks). At the beginning of December in Valka, northernLatvia, Latvian organisations finished forming the Latvian Provisional National Council(Latviešu pagaidu nacionālā padome), which at that time became the most extensiverepresentative institution of the Latvian people. At a session on 30 January 1918, theLatvian Provisional National Council decided to establish a sovereign and democratic Latviathat would encompass all Latvian-inhabited regions. Post-war confusion enabled proindependenceforces to consolidate their efforts and pursue their dream.The Act of the Proclamation ofIndependence, Rīga, 18 November1918.24
The first Cabinet of Ministers ofindependent Latvia headed by KārlisUlmanis, November 1918.The national coat of arms of the Republic of Latviawas affirmed in this format on June 15, 1921. Thenational coat of arms combines symbols of Latviannational statehood as well as symbols of ancienthistorical districts. The sun in the upper part of thecoat of arms symbolises Latvian national statehood.A stylised depiction of the sun was used as a symbolof distinction and national identity by LatvianRiflemen recruited into the Russian imperial armyduring the First World War. The three stars above thecoat of arms embody the idea of the inclusion ofhistorical districts (Vidzeme, Latgale and combinedKurzeme-Zemgale) into a united Latvia.Jānis Čakste, President of theConstitutional Assembly (1920-1922)and first President of Latvia (1922-1927).Kārlis Ulmanis, the Prime Minister ofLatvia (1918-1921; 1931; 1934-1940),and the President of Latvia (1936-1940)before the Soviet occupation.On 17 November 1918, the Latvian Provisional National Council and the Democratic Blocagreed to jointly form a provisional parliament, the Latvian People’s Council (Tautas padome),which resolved to found an independent and democratic republic. On the following day, 18November 1918, on the basis of the previous day’s resolutions, the independent Republic ofLatvia was proclaimed at a ceremonious meeting at the National Theatre in Rīga. The lawyerJānis Čakste (1859-1927) was elected chairman of the Latvian People’s Council, and theagronomist Kārlis Ulmanis (1877-1942) became leader of the government.Article announcing the Proclamationof Independence on the front page ofthe largest Latvian daily newspaperJaunākās Ziņas, 19 November 1918.25
Page 6: In the AD 900s, the ancient Balts b
Page 10 and 11: 12th century-1914The Age ofGerman,
Page 12 and 13: Walter von Plettenberg (c.1450-1535
Page 14 and 15: Luther’s Small Catechism (Enchiri
Page 16 and 17: Rīga in 1612.However, during this
Page 18 and 19: Dome Cathedral in Rīga, 1780s.In 1
Page 20 and 21: Krišjānis Valdemārs (1825-1891),
Page 22 and 23: New political undercurrents penetra
Page 24 and 25: 1914-1939The Fight forIndependence
Page 28 and 29: Article on the front page of the La
Page 30 and 31: A scene from the film ‘Latvian We
Page 32 and 33: In the 1930s Latvia achieved one of
Page 34 and 35: 1939-1980sThe Loss of Independence,
Page 36 and 37: Occupation of Latvia by the Soviet
Page 38 and 39: The first 1000 Latvian men conscrip
Page 40 and 41: Propaganda poster of Stalin’stota
Page 42 and 43: Forced industrialisation — largei
Page 44 and 45: From the 1980sReinstatingIndependen
Page 46 and 47: On 23 August 1989, fifty years had
Page 48 and 49: A twenty lat bill. The Latvian nati
Page 50 and 51: Main Historical Events9000 BC Arriv
Page 52: The Latvian Institute promotes know

History of Latvia: a Brief Survey

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