History of Latvia: a Brief Survey

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Krišjānis Valdemārs (1825-1891), main ideologue ofthe New Latvian movement and the most prominentsocial and political figure of the time; publicist,editor of the Peterburgas Awizes. Valdemārs’ ideashave been very influential in the development ofnational romanticism and the history of Latvianpublic opinion. He also played a large role in the thedevelopment of Latvian seafaring.Barquentine Anna Wictoria, built in 1878 in Ainaži. The firsttwo Latvian peasant-built ships were built in 1857: the PeterSofia in Mangaļi and the Victoria in Pabaži.The first newspapers printed in theLatvian language from the 1800s:Latweeschu Awizes (‘Latvian Newspaper’,est. 1824), Peterburgas Awizes(‘St Petersburg Newspaper’, est. 1862) andliterary magazine Austrums (est. 1885).Industry spread quickly in the late 1700s, bringing with it a major population growth. Vidzemeand Kurzeme became Russia’s most developed provinces, but conditions for peasantsbecame worse: they were poor, and noblemen’s power was unlimited after the annexationto the Russian Empire. Despite this, however, political preconditions and the developingeconomy caused serfdom to be abolished in Vidzeme in 1817, in Kurzeme in 1819, and inLatgale in 1861.Krišjānis Barons (1835-1923), promoterof the Latvian national awakening of the19th century; collector, compiler andresearcher of Latvian folksongs (dainas)— some dating back hundreds of years;editor of the newspaper PeterburgasAwizes.18In the mid-19th century, with the rise of national consciousness throughout Europe, ethnicLatvians experienced a powerful ‘awakening’ of national identity. The first newspapers in theLatvian language were printed, and active cultural development took place. The first LatvianNational Song Festival was held in 1873 — the beginning of a long-standing tradition withstrong national overtones.The latter half of the 19th century marked a period of national rebirth — the most activemembers of Latvian social and cultural life, the so-called New-Latvians (jaunlatvieši),demanded the same rights long-enjoyed by other nations. Starting from 1862, the weeklyLatvian language newspaper Peterburgas Awizes parodied and criticised Baltic German claimsto cultural and political superiority.
At the end of the 19th century, Riga’s appearance was dominated by the expressive,colourful and imaginative flourishes of Jugendstil (Art Noveau) architecture. Many of Rīga’smost impressive Jugendstil buildings can be found in the city centre. Today, Rīga is lookedupon as Europe’s distinctive Jugendstil metropolis.Rīga — the most modern city of the Russian Empire. Industryin the Latvian territory flourished rapidly at the turn of the20th century.19
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 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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