Russian rule, Nationalism and Independence, 1860 - 1930: Latvia, Poland and Finland

Résumé du document

In 1860, the Latvians, the Poles and the Finns had witnessed different developments. Latvia belonged to the Russian Empire since the end of the 18th century, but the Baltic Germans continued to hold power locally and enjoyed a great economical and social hegemony over the country. In Poland, the Republic was destroyed in 1795 and was subject to the Partitioning Powers: Russia, Prussia and Austria. Finland, after being a part of Sweden, was conquered by Russia in 1809. The Grand Duchy enjoyed a special status of autonomy within the empire and developed a relationship of mutual confidence with the tsarist authorities. So, despite the Latvian, the Poles and the Finns living in relatively different contexts, they share something in common: these three countries were partially or completely under Russian rule and, for that reason, their respective histories between 1860 and 1930 share many similarities. During this period, Latvia, Poland and Finland witnessed the rise of national movements in the particular context of the Russian autocracy, and all of them reached independence after World War I.

Extraits

[...] Finally, between 1860 and 1930, despite obvious differences, the developments of Latvia, Poland and Finland share many similarities. At the beginning of the period, these three peoples became conscious they formed nations. Thus, the three countries witnessed the rise of nationalist movements, which rapidly came into conflict with the Russian authorities. On the eve of World War these nationalist movements challenged Russian rule by demanding autonomy. The War and the Russian revolutionary events of 1917 were determining, inasmuch as Latvia, Poland and Finland emerged as independent states from this confusion. [...]

[...] At the end of the century, the National League and the National Democrat Party were founded, both advocating resistance against Russification and Germanisation. The repression by Russian authorities was far less strong in Latvia, insofar as the young nationalist movement did not directly challenge the tsarist authorities. Latvian nationalism was based on the idea of an ethnically uniqueness provided by a distinct culture and language. It took its roots in the romantic Germanic currents, and Herder, followed by Merkel, inspired Latvian modern nationalism. The Latvians enrolled in the university began the Latvian national awakening. [...]

[...] Latvian socialists turned to Bolshevism and Latvia witnessed strikes and labour unrests. The strikes spread also in Finland and, as a consequence, Finnish autonomy was restored. In 1906, a unicameral Diet elected through universal and equal suffrage was created. However, the work of the new parliament was continually interrupted, due to the fact the tsar regularly dissolved it and left unsigned laws enacted by the assembly. As soon as 1907, the Russification resumed and the Finns no longer controlled their own country. [...]

[...] Poland was victorious and in 1921, the Treaty of Riga established the borders between Poland and the Soviet Republic. The Peace Conference of Paris established the western frontiers and the treaty of Versailles in 1919 awarding West Prussia to Poland. In 1921, a democratic constitution was voted in. Beside corruption, the political life of the Second Republic was characterized by the presence of numerous parties, unable to create a clear majority. Ministers held office only for few months and no consistent policy was possible. [...]

[...] However, in the 1930s, the fate of the three countries was still bounded to Russia, inasmuch as all of them were included in the Protocols of Molotov-Ribbentrop, which established Russia and Germany's respective influence areas. References -Davis, Norman ,Heart of Europe. The Past in Poland´s Present, Oxford University Press -Jutikkala, Eino/Pirinen, Kauko, A History of Finland, WSOY -Smith, David J./Pabriks, Artis/ Purs, Aldis/ Lane, Thomas, The Baltic States, Routledge, 2002. [...]