From Tribe to Nation a Brief History of Latvia
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From Tribe to Nation A Brief History of Latvia 1 2 Cover photo: Popular People of Latvia are very proud of their history. demonstration on It is a history of the birth and development of an Dome Square, 1989 idea of an independent nation, and a consequent struggle to attain it, maintain it, and renew it. Above: A Zeppelin above Rīga in 1930 Albeit important, Latvian history is not entirely unique. The changes which swept through the ter- Below: Participants ritory of Latvia over the last two dozen centuries of the XXV Nationwide were tied to the ever changing map of Europe, Song and Dance and the shifting balance of power. From the Viking Celebration in 2013 conquests and German Crusades, to the recent World Wars, the territory of Latvia, strategically lo- cated on the Baltic Sea between the Scandinavian region and Russia, was very much part of these events, and shared their impact especially closely with its Baltic neighbours. What is unique and also attests to the importance of history in Latvia today, is how the growth and development of a nation, initially as a mere idea, permeated all these events through the centuries up to Latvian independence in 1918. In this brief history of Latvia you can read how Latvia grew from tribe to nation, how its history intertwined with the changes throughout Europe, and how through them, or perhaps despite them, Latvia came to be a country with such a proud and distinct national identity 1 2 3 Incredible Historical Landmarks Left: The people of The Baltic Way – this was one of the most crea- Latvia united in the tive non-violent protest activities in history. On Au- Baltic Way, 19:00 on gust 23, 1989, approximately two million people August 23, 1989 joined hands to form a human chain spanning over 600 kilometres across the three Baltic States – Es- Above: Handwritten tonia, Latvia, Lithuania – occupied by the Soviet folksong entry from the Union at the time. The Baltic Way was arranged original Dainas archive on the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribben- trop Pact which led to the occupation of the Baltic Below: Latvian Army States in 1940, and aimed to draw global attention forces in Old Rīga during to the unlawful occupation of the countries. a battle with the army of Bermondt-Affair – this was the greatest victory Bermondt-Avalov, in Latvian military history. 32 000 newly mobilized November 1919 Latvian troops protected Rīga against an army of 45 000 battle-hardened and better equipped vet- erans led by general Bermondt. Bermondt was a German-supported Russian imperialist, who led the so-called West Russian Volunteer Army. Latvi- ans succeeded in defending Rīga against the com- bined German and Russian forces in November 1919, thus safeguarding an independent Latvia. The event, known as Lāčplēša Diena, is commemorated each year by lighting candles on November 11. Dainas – this is a traditional form of music or poet- ry, usually consisting of four lines in quatrain form. Dainas are specifically Latvian in their structure, thematic sentiments, and worldview. Dating back well over a thousand years, more than 1.2 million texts and 30,000 melodies have been identified and collected; they were first published between 1894 and 1915. 3 Not Quite Latvian yet Left: Āraiši lake dwelling Latvia as a country appeared on the map of Europe after the First World War. However, predecessors of site with original and the Latvian people arrived in the territory long before that – as tribes who settled on the banks of the river reconstructed Daugava, hunting for deer after the Ice Age was over. As time passed, they became merchants who built remnants of Latgalian trade routes from north to south, and west to east, using the geographical advantage of the Gulf of Rīga (proto-Latvian) to access distant markets. settlements from Gradually the settlers and merchants formed the Baltic tribes, which became the Latvian people over many 9th-10 th century centuries. Instead of the history of Latvia, initially we can look at the history of the people in the territory known as Latvia today, and the gradual development of a national identity, subsequently a nation, and, eventually, a country. Elsewhere in the world Finno-Ugric peoples, an- Amber trade flourishes 5000BC cestors of present-day Baltic peoples, ancestors Early Livonian people in the region, and is sold Ancient Greeks attempt Finns and Estonians ar- of present-day Lithuani- move to coastal areas as far away as Ancient to expand eastwards, rive. ans and Latvians, arrive. around the Gulf of Rīga. Rome. but are met with resist- ~ 3000 B.C. ~ 2000 B.C. ~ 1800 B.C. ~ 100 A.D. ance from Persia, start- ing the Greco-Persian Wars Gradually four individual 44BC – 1453 AD Baltic tribal cultures The Roman Empire develop: Couronians, 541AD Latgallians, Selonians, The Couronian tribe The Justinian Plague Semigallians. Each tribe grows in strength, and breaks out and kills 50% is headed by a tribal becomes a feared oppo- of Europe’s inhabitants leader. nent to invading forces. 790-1066AD 900 A.D. onwards 900 A.D. onwards The Viking Age 5 The Current Territory of Latvia in Ever Changing Europe The map of Europe was ever-changing in the 8th- 18 th centuries as the importance and might of nations shifted. Empires emerged, collapsed and territories were invaded or fought over, deemed as useful and desirable, whether it be for location, natural resources, trade or other reasons. The ter- ritory of Latvia, located strategically between West- ern and Eastern Europe, was always part of these changes and power struggles. Above: Rīga harbour Over the centuries the territory which is known to- on the Daugava river day as Latvia experienced the rule of the Crusad- in 1863 ers, Poles and Lithuanians, Swedes, Russians, and Germans. Each new ruler of the territory subju- Below: Rundāle – gated the local tribes, but also brought something a distinguished baroque new to the area and influenced the development palace, designed by of culture and trade, and, by lesser or greater Bartolomeo Rastrelli form of oppression, sparked the formation of the for the Duke of idea of an independent Latvian nation. Courland 6 Crusades to Christianize the Baltics begin, led by German bishops. The proto-Latvian Curonians, Semigalians, Selonians Rīga is founded near the Arrival of German mer- and Latgalians, as well site of a Liv village on the Viking raids and con- chants and Christian mis- as the Livs, oppose the confluence of Rīdzene quests in the Baltic area. sionaries to the Baltics. invaders. and Daugava rivers. IX – XI c. Late XII c. 1198 1201 Livonia is established in today’s territory of Latvia Russia attempts to con- and Estonia. Germans Most Latvians join the quer the territory. The Li- Rīga becomes an im- become the ruling class, Lutheran church, with vonian army jointly with a portant trading post German knights become the exception of Latgale force of local conscripts and joins the Hanseatic landed barons and retain where Catholicism pre- staves off the forces of League. privileges until WW1. vails to this day. Tsar Ivan III. XIII c. 1282 XIII – XIV c. XVI c. 1501-1503 After incursions of Ivan Rīga is conquered by Duke Jacob Kettler, at the Terrible’s army, Dan- the Kingdom of Sweden, the apogee of the Duchy The written form of ish and Polish-Lithuanian who reduce German of Courland, under the Latvian is developed by forces, the Livonian Or- baron privileges. The Polish Lithuanian king, German priests, culmi- der surrenders. Territo- period becomes known founds colonies in Gam- nating in a translation of ries to the east of the as the “good Swedish bia in Africa, and on the the Bible by Father Ernst Daugava come under times”. Eastern Latvia re- Caribbean island of To- Glück of the Alūksne Lu- Polish rule. mains under Polish rule. bago. theran parish. 1561-1583 1621 1651-1654 XVII c. 1685 Elsewhere in Europe 1700 - 1721 As a result of the Great During the First Partition The Great Northern War Northern War, Rīga sur- of Poland, conducted between the Russian renders to Peter the by the Russian Empire, and Swedish Empires Great. Northern Latvia Prussia and Habsburg 1775 - 1783 comes under Russian Austria, eastern Latvia During the Third Parti- The American War of rule, and peasants be- (Latgale) becomes part tion of Poland the Duchy Independence against come serfs of their Ger- of the Russian province of Courland becomes a the United Kingdom man barons. of Polotsk. Russian province. 1789 - 1799 1710 1772 1795 The French Revolution 7 The First Signs of National Awakening Left: Poster for the The 19th century saw the initial development of a distinctly Latvian national identity. Latvian authors pub- Latvian Song Celebration lished their works for the first time, cities and towns in the territory grew in size and prominence. The abol- with a famous poem ishment of serfdom went hand in hand with the emergence of a Latvian working class, increase in economic “Nevis slinko- empowerment and migration to cities. The level of education also increased and resulted in the formation jot un pūstot” by of cultural and political awareness. F. L. Čelakovský, trans- Several crucial cultural and social developments took place and played a key role in the growth of a national lated and adapted by identity – such as the first Nationwide Song and Dance Celebration, a tradition which continues to this day; J. Alunāns, designed by publishing of the vast collection of Latvian folk songs (the Dainas) and of the first Latvian novels, signifying H. Šics, an important and symbolic accomplishment in the formation of the literary Latvian language.