History of Latvia: a Brief Survey

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Walter von Plettenberg (c.1450-1535),Master of the Livonian Order (1494–1535) and one of the greatest leaders ofthe Livonian knights.The coat of arms of Rīga 1349.In 1282, Rīga and later Cēsis, Limbaži, Koknese, Kuldīga, and Valmiera were included in thenorthern German trading organisation, the Hanseatic League (Hansa). Rīga subsequentlybecame an important centre not only for east-west trade, but for the entire eastern Balticregion, developing close cultural contacts with Western Europe.The stamp of Rīga city in 1368.A map of Hansa cities from 1539 (Cartamarina et Descriptio septemtrionaliumterrarum ac mirabilium rerum in eiscontentarum, diligentissime elaborataAnno Domini 1539 Veneciis liberalitateReverendissimi Domini Ieronimi Quirini).10The 16th century was a time of great change for the inhabitants of Latvia, notable for theReformation and the collapse of the Livonian nation.In the late 15th and early 16th centuries, relations with Russia became strained. In 1501Walter von Plettenberg (c.1450-1535), the Master of the Livonian Order, managed to gatherthe forces of Livonia to successfully fight the invading Russians. He captured several Russianstrongholds, including Pskov, Ostrov, Izborsk and Ivangorod, and besieged Novgorod, butfailed to protect Livonia against devastating Russian raids. Plettenberg made an alliance withthe Lithuanian Grand Prince Alexander against the Russians. He even tried to convince the
Pope Alexander VI to issue a crusading bull against the Russians. Finally he made peace withGrand Prince Ivan III of Muscovy in Pskov in 1503, but with no territorial changes. Plettenbergcan be considered one of the most gifted political leaders of Livonia.After Martin Luther posted his theses in 1517, Lutheran ideas began to emerge in Livonia. Inthe early 1520s Rīga became an important centre of Reformation ideas in Northern Europe.By the mid-16th century Lutheranism had become dominant among ruling elites.After the so-called Livonian War (1558-1583) — a lengthy military conflict between Russiaand its western neighbours for control of present-day Latvia and Estonia — Latvian territorycame under Polish-Lithuanian rule. The confederation of Livonia ceased to exist. The ones tobenefit most from the new political situation were the knights of the of the Livonian Order. In1562 the Order was secularised, and its last master Gotthard Kettler (1517-1587) became theduke of a new province called Courland-Semigallia (abbreviated Courland, today Kurzeme-Zemgale).Free city of Rīga 1 Schilling, 1570.An old map of Livonia, firstpublished in 1573.An old map of Livonia, firstpublished in 1573.The coat of arms of Rīga, 1586.11
Page 6: In the AD 900s, the ancient Balts b
Page 10 and 11: 12th century-1914The Age ofGerman,
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 26 and 27: German army in Rīga, autumn 1917.I
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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