Historic Background Of Latvia

The first tribes to settle in the area now known as Latvia were the Finno-Ugrics, who came here around 2000 – 3000 B.C. Then came the Balts in 2000 B.C, and started trading with neighbouring peoples- particularly the Germanic tribes. The Latvian tribes, despite the efforts of German missionaries, remained nature worshippers -`heathens’ to the Christian missionaries- till about 1290, when a crusading order, the 'Knights of the Sword’ forcibly converted them to Christianity.

From the 13th century till the tail end of the last century, foreign rulers governed Latvia. The first to establish their supremacy were the Swedes, whose rule is generally regarded as the most benevolent, as they introduced universal education and improved the lot of the peasants. By the end of the 19th century, Russia’s influence had started to dominate Latvia.

During World War I, Germany occupied Latvia. Years of resistance and fighting finally led to the defeat of the Germans and Latvia became independent- but not for long. In 1939, the country (which had by then come under authoritarian rule) became a Soviet satellite and was subsequently occupied by the USSR. Thousands of Latvians were killed first under Soviet rule and two years later, when Nazi Germany occupied Latvia - anti Jewish purges wiped out almost 90,000 Latvian Jews. After WWII, Latvia once again came under Soviet rule, only to meet the same fate at the hands of Stalin.

Nationalism saw a fresh upsurge in Latvia in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union and in August 1991, the country became independent. It was recognised as an independent nation by the Russians less than a month later.