What applies to the Baltic states? The main stages of the history of the Baltic countries: the formation of political traditions

History of Latvia in the period before the creation of an independent state

Until the end of the 12th century, the territory of present-day Latvia was mainly inhabited by tribes of the ancient Balts: Curonians, Selamis, Semigallians, who did not yet have their own statehood, were mainly engaged in agriculture and were pagans.

Under the rule of German knights (13th – 16th centuries)

At the end of the 12th - beginning of the 13th centuries, German crusaders captured these lands and, on the territory of present-day Latvia and Estonia, formed a confederation of feudal states - Livonia.

In 1201, at the mouth of the Daugava River, German crusaders founded the city of Riga. In 1282, Riga, and later Cesis, Limbazi, Koknes and Valmiera were accepted into the union of North German trading cities - the “Hansean League”, which contributed to the rapid development of this region. Riga becomes an important trading point between the West and the East.

Under Polish and Swedish rule (16th – 17th centuries)

In 1522, the Reformation movement, which by that time had swept all of Europe, also penetrated into Livonia. As a result of the Reformation, the Lutheran faith strengthened in the territories of Kurzeme, Zemgale and Vidzeme, and the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church remained in Latgale. Religious ferment undermined the foundations of Livonian statehood. In 1558

Russia, the Principality of Poland-Lithuania and Sweden began a war for possession of these territories, which ended in 1583 with the division of Livonia between the Principality of Poland-Lithuania and Sweden. The territory of modern Latvia went to Poland. The dispute between Poles and Swedes does not end there. During the new war (1600-1629), Vidzeme, as well as Riga, came under Swedish rule.

In the 17th century, the Duchy of Kurzme (a vassal of the Principality of Poland-Lithuania) experienced an economic boom and even captured overseas colonies: in Gambia (Africa) and the island of Tobago in the Caribbean (see more about this in the article “Maza of the Conquest of Duke Jacob”).

In turn, Riga becomes the largest city in Sweden, and Vidzeme is called the “bread granary of Sweden”, as it supplies grain to most of the Kingdom of Sweden.

In the 17th century, the consolidation of individual peoples (Latgalians, Selovians, Semigallians, Curonians and Livs) gradually took place into a single Latvian people speaking the same language. The first books in the Latvian language (prayer books) appeared in the middle of the 16th century, but then the Gothic font was used, not the modern one.

As part of the Russian Empire (1710 – 1917)

During the Northern War (1700–1721) between Russia and Sweden, Peter I, in 1710, approached Riga and, after 8 months of siege, took it. The territory of Vidzeme came under Russian control. In 1772, as a result of the division of Poland, the territory of Latgale passed to Russia, and in 1795, after the third partition of Poland, the territory of the Duchy of Kurzeme also passed to Russia.

Despite joining the Empire, the laws on these lands were often very different from those “internal Russian”. Thus, Russia retained the privileges of the German barons, who owned large estates and who, in essence, continued to be the main power in the localities. The barons were allowed to meet in the Landtags and propose various bills. Already in 1817-1819, serfdom was abolished in most of the territory of present-day Latvia. Only in 1887 was legislation introduced the teaching of the Russian language in all schools. During the period of Russian rule, the Pale of Settlement passed through the territory of eastern Latvia - Latgale - Old Believers and Jews were allowed to settle here on the outskirts of the empire. To this day, a strong Old Believer community has remained in Latvia, but the Jewish population, which constituted almost the majority of urban residents in these lands, was almost completely destroyed during the German occupation of 1941-1944.

At the end of the 18th century, industry began to develop rapidly and population growth increased. The territory of present-day Latvia has become the most developed province of Russia. At the end of the 18th century. Riga became the second, after St. Petersburg, port in the Empire, the third, after Moscow and St. Petersburg, an industrial center.

From the end of the 19th century, a rise in national self-awareness began in Latvia, and the beginnings of a national movement emerged. It experienced a special rise during the first Russian Revolution of 1905-07. After the fall of the monarchy, in February 1917, Latvian representatives in the Russian Duma made demands for autonomy for Latvia.

History of Latvia in the 20th century century

First Republic (1920-1940)

At the end of 1918, most of Latvia, including Riga, was captured by the German army during the First World War. However, Germany, which lost the war, could not retain these lands, and at the same time, the victorious countries were not interested in them passing to Soviet Russia. The current international situation has given Latvia a chance to gain its own statehood. The authorities of the Republic of Latvia begin to form, which proclaim the independence of Latvia on November 18, 1918.

First they act as allies of Germany against the Red Army, then they act against Germany itself, and finally they conquer the territory of Latgale from Soviet Russia. In February 1920, Russia signed a truce with Latvia, thereby recognizing its independence. At the Conference of the Great Powers in Paris on January 26, 1921, the independence of Latvia was recognized de jure unconditionally. At the same time, other “fragments” of the Russian Empire – Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Finland – gained independence.

Over the 20 years of independence, Latvia has managed to build an independent state and achieve certain economic successes. Initially a democratic parliamentary republic, it became an authoritarian state in 1934, when, as a result of a coup, K. Ulmanis seized absolute power. However, Ulmanis does not resort to widespread repression and, in general, acts as a “guarantor of stability.” The times of Ulmanis remain in the memory of many Latvians as a symbol of economic and cultural prosperity; at this time the standard of living in Latvia was one of the highest in Europe.

Loss of independence (1940)

On September 1, 1939, World War II began - Germany attacked Poland. On September 17, Soviet troops entered Poland from the east, Poland was divided between Germany and the USSR. October 2 - The USSR demanded that Latvia, within three days, transfer military ports, airfields and other military infrastructure for the needs of the Red Army. At the same time, similar demands were put forward in relation to Lithuania and Estonia, as well as Finland (additionally demands were put forward for the exchange of territory). At the same time, the Soviet leadership assured that we were not talking about interference in the internal affairs of these countries, but only about preventive measures so that their territory was not used as a springboard against the USSR.

The three Baltic countries, including Latvia, agreed to fulfill the requirements. On October 5, a mutual assistance pact was signed between Latvia and the USSR. A military contingent was introduced into the territory of the country, comparable, and even exceeding the size and power of the Latvian National Army. Finland refused to fulfill the conditions set, and on November 30 the USSR began military operations against it.

However, Latvia existed as an independent state for almost another year. The denouement came in 1940. In June 1940, Germany defeated France, and almost all of continental Europe came under its control. The Baltic countries remained the last undivided territory of Europe, besides the Balkans.

On June 16, the USSR presented Latvia (previously Lithuania, and three days later Estonia) with a new ultimatum, the main demand of which was the resignation of the “Government Hostile to the Soviet Union” and the formation of a new government, under the supervision of representatives of the USSR.

President K. Ulmanis accepted all points of the ultimatum and appealed to his people to remain calm, which ended with the famous phrase “stay in your places, and I will remain in mine.” On June 17, new units of Soviet military units entered Latvia without encountering any resistance. Already on June 21, a new government friendly to the USSR was formed, and on July 14-15, “national elections” were held in all three Baltic countries, which ended in a “convincing victory for the communists.” The newly elected supreme councils simultaneously turned to the Supreme Council of the USSR with a request to include Latvia (along with Estonia and Lithuania) into the USSR, which happened on August 5.

Soviet power in Latvia began to be established using proven technology. In order to “bring the bourgeois Baltics” up to the standards of the Stalinist USSR, “counter-revolutionary” elements were eradicated here at an accelerated pace, property nationalization and collectivization were carried out. A week before the start of the war, on June 14, the first mass deportation was organized - about 15 thousand people were sent to Siberia. During the year from June 1940 to June 1941, a lot was accomplished, and therefore many local residents welcomed the German army as liberators from communist terror.

Latvia during the war (1941-1945)

On June 22, 1941, Germany attacked the USSR. The territory of Latvia came under German control within a week and a half and remained under it entirely until July 1944. During this time, up to 90 thousand people were killed in Latvia. Since July 1941, voluntary police detachments began to form in Latvia, some of which participated in the extermination of the Jewish population. Thus, the SD auxiliary unit, under the command of V. Aray, destroyed 30 thousand Jews.

In February 1943, by order of Hitler, the Latvian SS Legion began to form. Initially it was formed on a voluntary basis, but soon a general mobilization was carried out. In total, 94,000 people were conscripted into the legion.

In July-August 1944, the Red Army, which also included the Latvian corps, liberated almost the entire territory of Latvia from the Germans, with the exception of the so-called “Kurzeme Pocket”. The Kurzeme pocket - most of western Latvia - Kurzeme, with the ports of Ventspils and Liepaja, remained under German control until May 1945, and the units that defended it, including the Latvian Legion, laid down their arms only after the fall of Berlin and the complete surrender of Germany. The retention of the Kurzeme pocket allowed 130 thousand residents of Latvia to cross by boat to neighboring countries.

At the Yalta Conference in January 1945, the borders of the USSR were fixed as of June 1941. Thus, the great powers recognized the inclusion of the Baltic states into the USSR.

Latvia as part of the USSR (1944-1991)

After the war, the Sovietization of Latvia continued. In March 1949, another mass deportation of the population to the northern regions of the USSR was carried out. Despite this, small groups of partisans - “forest brothers” - operated on the territory of Latvia even before 1956.

In the 60s - 80s, Latvia developed as part of the USSR, becoming a kind of exemplary Soviet republic. Well-known enterprises operate here - VEF, Radiotekhnika, RAF, Laima, and others. Thanks to their merits in the construction of socialism, many party leaders of Soviet Latvia were promoted to leadership positions in Moscow, among them member of the Politburo of the CPSU Central Committee A.Ya. Pelshe, head of the KGB Pugo B.K. etc.

During its stay as part of the USSR, many people from other republics of the Soviet Union came to work in Latvia - the share of the Latvian population decreased from 75% in 1935 to approximately 53% in the 70s.

Restoring independence

Perestroika, launched by M. Gorbachev in 1987, gave rise to various political movements. The first congress of the Popular Front took place in Latvia in October 1988. The Popular Front, both in Latvia and in the rest of the USSR, was perceived not as a nationalist, but primarily as a democratic, anti-totalitarian movement, and therefore representatives of the Russian population actively participated in its activities, and was actively supported by Russian democrats. The Popular Front program stated that in an independent Latvian state, citizenship would be granted to all its residents (the so-called “zero option”).

On August 24, 1991, after the failure of the putsch, Russian President B. Yeltsin signed a decree recognizing the independence of the three Baltic republics. Unfortunately, when the leaders of the Popular Front came to power and Latvia regained its independence, the situation began to change dramatically. A citizenship law was passed, stipulating that only citizens of Latvia in June 1940 and their direct descendants could count on automatic citizenship in the new Latvia. Recent comrades-in-arms in the fight against totalitarianism have come to be seen as the fifth column of Moscow, who still have to prove their trustworthiness by going through the naturalization procedure. The refusal of promises (which many NFL leaders considered just a “tactical maneuver”) became one of the reasons for the split of the country’s population into two communities.

Modern Latvia (since Aug. 1991)

In the years following the restoration of independence, Latvia has carried out serious economic reforms, introduced its own currency (lats) in 1993, carried out privatization and returned property to the previous owners (restitution). The economy is growing steadily at 5-7% per year.

A course was also taken to escape the influence of Russia and integrate with European structures. In February 1993, Latvia introduced a visa regime with Russia, and in 1995, the last units of the Russian army left the country. Since 2004, Latvia has been a member of NATO and the European Union.

Tourism opportunities in the Baltic states

The nature of the Baltic states is quite diverse; the amount of natural resources per capita exceeds the European average. Each inhabitant of the Baltic states has 10 times more land than the Netherlands, and 10 times more renewable water resources than the world average. There are hundreds of times more forests per person than in most European countries. The temperate climate and stable geological conditions protect the territory from disasters, and the limited amount of mineral resources protects the territory from intensive pollution of the territory by various wastes of the mining industry.

Tours and holidays

Estonia

Latvia

Lithuania

Denmark

The Baltic states lie in the temperate zone, washed in the north and west by the Baltic Sea. The climate is greatly influenced by Atlantic cyclones; the air is always humid due to the proximity of the sea. Thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, winters are warmer than in mainland Eurasia.

The Baltic states are quite attractive for excursion tourism. A large number of medieval buildings (castles) have been preserved on its territory. Almost all Baltic cities are free from the bustle inherent in any, even regional, city in Russia. In Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, the historical parts of the city are perfectly preserved. All the Baltic countries, such as Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Denmark, are always popular among Russian tourists who want to get into the atmosphere of medieval Europe.

Baltic hotels are much more European in terms of the quality of services provided with fairly affordable prices.

Baltics it is a part of Northern Europe, corresponding to the territories of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, as well as the former East Prussia. Since Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia announced their secession from the USSR in 1991, the phrase “Baltic states” usually means the same thing as the “Baltic republics” of the USSR.

The Baltic states have an advantageous geographical location. Access to the Baltic Sea and the proximity of the developed countries of Europe on the one hand, and the proximity to Russia in the east on the other hand, makes this region a “bridge” between Europe and Russia.

On the southern coast of the Baltic on the Baltic coast, the most important elements stand out: the Sambian Peninsula with the Vistula Spit and the Curonian Spit extending from it, the Courland (Kurland) Peninsula, the Gulf of Riga, the Vidzeme Peninsula, the Estonian Peninsula, the Narva Bay and the Kurgalsky Peninsula, behind which the entrance to the Gulf of Finland opens. .

A Brief History of the Baltic States

The earliest records are from Herodotus. He mentions the Neuroi, Androphages, Melanchlens, Budins, today attributed to the Dnieper-Dvina culture, who lived on the eastern coast of the Svevian (Baltic) Sea, where they cultivated cereals and collected amber along the seashore. In general, ancient sources are not rich in information about the Baltic tribes.

The interest of the ancient world in the Baltic states was quite limited. From the shores of the Baltic, with its low level of development, Europe received mainly amber and other ornamental stones. Due to climatic conditions, neither the Baltic states nor the lands of the Slavs lying beyond them could provide any significant amount of food to Europe. Therefore, unlike the Black Sea region, the Baltic states did not attract ancient colonialists.

At the beginning of the 13th century, significant changes occurred in the life of the diverse population of the entire southern coast of the Baltic Sea. The Baltic states fall into the zone of long-term strategic interests of neighboring states. The capture of the Baltic states occurs almost instantly. In 1201, the crusaders founded Riga. In 1219, the Danes occupied Russian Kolyvan and founded Tallinn.

Over the course of several centuries, different parts of the Baltic states came under different rule. They were ruled by both the Russians in the person of the Novgorod and Pskov princes, who themselves were mired in internecine wars, and the Livonian Order until its collapse and further ousting from the Baltic states.

According to the peace treaty concluded by Peter 1 in Nystadt in 1721 with Sweden, Russia returned the lost part of Karelia, part of Estland with Revel, part of Livonia with Riga, as well as the islands of Ezel and Dago. At the same time, Russia assumed obligations regarding political guarantees to the population newly accepted into Russian citizenship. All residents were guaranteed freedom of religion.

By the beginning of the First World War in the Baltic states, the largest administrative-territorial entities of Russia were three Baltic provinces: Livlyandskaya (47027.7 km?), Estlyandskaya (20246.7 km?), Courlandskaya (29715 km?). The Russian Provisional Government adopted the regulation “On the Autonomy of Estonia.” Although the new border between the Estland and Livonia provinces was not demarcated under the Provisional Government, its line forever divided the district town of Valk along the river, and part of the Petrograd-Riga railway ended up entering the territory of the adjacent province, practically not serving it itself.

The entry of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania into the USSR begins with the approval of the VII session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of decisions on the admission to the USSR: Lithuanian SSR - August 3, Latvian SSR - August 5 and Estonian SSR - August 6, 1940, based on statements from higher authorities authorities of the respective Baltic states. Modern Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania consider the actions of the USSR to be occupation followed by annexation.

On the night of March 11, 1990, the Supreme Council of Lithuania, headed by Vytautas Landsbergis, declared the independence of the Republic of Lithuania. On November 16, 1988, the Supreme Council of the Estonian SSR adopted the “Declaration of the Sovereignty of the Estonian SSR.” The independence of Latvia was declared by the Supreme Council of the Latvian SSR on May 4, 1990.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, it was interesting to see how sovereign states charted their own course to prosperity. The Baltic countries were especially intriguing, as they left with a loud slam of the door.

Over the past 30 years, the Russian Federation has been constantly bombarded with numerous claims and threats. The Baltic people believe that they have the right to this, although the desire to secede was suppressed by the USSR army. As a result of the suppression of separatism in Lithuania, 15 civilians died.

Traditionally, the Baltic states are classified as countries. This is due to the fact that this alliance was formed from liberated states after World War II.

Some geopoliticians do not agree with this and consider the Baltic states to be an independent region, which includes:

• , capital Tallinn.
• (Riga).
• (Vilnius).

All three states are washed by the Baltic Sea. Estonia has the smallest area, the number of inhabitants is about 1.3 million people. Next comes Latvia, where 2 million citizens live. Lithuania closes the top three with a population of 2.9 million.

Based on their small population, the Baltic states have carved out a niche among small countries. The composition of the region is multinational. In addition to indigenous peoples, Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Poles and Finns live here.

The majority of Russian speakers are concentrated in Latvia and Estonia, about 28–30% of the population. The most “conservative” is Lithuania, where 82% of native Lithuanians live.

For reference. Although the Baltic countries are experiencing a high outflow of the working-age population, they are in no hurry to populate free territories with forced migrants from and. The leaders of the Baltic republics are trying to look for various reasons to evade their obligations to the EU on the resettlement of refugees.

Political course

Even being part of the USSR, the Baltic states differed significantly from other Soviet regions for the better. There was perfect cleanliness, a beautiful architectural heritage and an interesting population, similar to the European one.

The central street of Riga is Brivibas street, 1981.

The Baltic region has always had a desire to become part of Europe. An example was the rapidly developing state that defended its independence from the Soviets in 1917.

The chance to separate from the USSR appeared in the second half of the eighties, when democracy and glasnost came along with perestroika. This opportunity was not missed, and the republics began to openly talk about separatism. Estonia became a pioneer in the independence movement and mass protests broke out here in 1987.

Under pressure from the electorate, the Supreme Council of the ESSR issued the Declaration of Sovereignty. At the same time, Latvia and Lithuania followed the example of their neighbor, and in 1990 all three republics received autonomy.

In the spring of 1991, referendums in the Baltic countries put an end to relations with the USSR. In the autumn of the same year, the Baltic countries joined the UN.

The Baltic republics willingly adopted the course of the West and Europe in economic and political development. Soviet heritage was condemned. Relations with the Russian Federation have completely cooled.

Russians living in the Baltic countries had limited rights. After 13 years of independence, the Baltic powers also joined the NATO military bloc.

Economic course

After gaining sovereignty, the Baltic economy underwent significant changes. The developed industrial sector has been replaced by service sectors. The importance of agriculture and food production has increased.

Modern industries include:

• Precision engineering (electrical engineering and household equipment).
• Machine tool industry.
• Ship repair.
• Chemical industry.
• Perfume industry.
• Wood processing (furniture and paper production).
• Light and footwear industry.
• Food production.

The Soviet heritage in the production of vehicles: cars and electric trains has been completely lost.

It is obvious that the Baltic industry is not a strong point in the post-Soviet era. The main income for these countries comes from the transit industry.

After gaining independence, all the production and transit capacities of the USSR went to the republics for free. The Russian side made no claims, used the services and paid about $1 billion a year for cargo turnover. Every year, the amount for transit grew, as the Russian economy increased its pace and cargo turnover increased.

For reference. The Russian company Kuzbassrazrezugol shipped more than 4.5 million tons of coal per year to its customers through the Baltic ports.

Particular attention should be paid to the Baltic monopoly on the transit of Russian oil. At one time, the forces of the USSR built the Ventspils oil terminal, the largest at that time, on the Baltic coast. A pipeline was built to it, the only one in the region. Latvia got this grandiose system for nothing.

Thanks to the built industrial infrastructure, the Russian Federation pumped over 30 million tons of oil through Latvia annually. For each barrel, Russia gave 0.7 dollars in logistics services. The republic's income grew steadily as oil exports increased.

The transiter’s sense of self-preservation has become dulled, which will play one of the key roles in the stagnation of the economy after the 2008 crisis.

The operation of the Baltic ports was ensured, among other things, by the transshipment of sea containers (TEU). After the modernization of the port terminals of St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad and Ust-Luga, traffic through the Baltic states decreased to 7.1% of all Russian cargo turnover.

Nevertheless, in one year, taking into account the decline in logistics, these services continue to bring the three republics about $170 million per year. This amount was several times higher before 2014.

Just a note. Despite the poor economic situation in the Russian Federation, many transport terminals have been built on its territory to date. This made it possible to significantly reduce the need for the Baltic transit and transport corridor.

The unexpected reduction in transit cargo turnover had a negative impact on the Baltic economy. As a result, massive layoffs of workers, numbering in the thousands, regularly take place at the ports. At the same time, railway transportation, freight and passenger, went under the knife, bringing stable losses.

The policy of the transit state and openness to Western investors led to an increase in unemployment in all sectors. People go to more developed countries to earn money and stay there to live.

Despite the deterioration, income levels in the Baltics remain significantly higher than in other post-Soviet republics.

Recently, less than a week ago, while discussing an article, a discussion arose between me and a friend: did Russia have colonies? My opponent fiercely defended the thesis that the Russian Empire, and then the USSR, were colonial powers and bore the guilt of colonialism (to his credit, he did not blame the common people, focusing on the responsibility of the authorities). I, as is clear, contradicted him and argued that my country did not have colonies. In the end, as usual, the argument ended in nothing - we both stuck to our guns. However, the question of whether Russia was a typical colonial empire or not seemed to me not idle, and I decided to dig a little deeper: after all, we all have fairly superficial knowledge on this topic. Well, naturally, I was interested - my opponent had to base his conclusions on something.

The search was successful. But the volume of materials found turned out to be quite large, and therefore I decided to divide it into several articles. And what you are reading now is the first of them.

Actually, let's start with the fact that the choice of lands of our state (both current and former) for the role of supposedly colonial appendages is not particularly large. These usually include:
1) Baltic states;
2) Central Asia;
3) Caucasus (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, etc.).

Sometimes they try to add Poland to this list. However, as it turned out, some residents of the Republic of Kazakhstan also have complaints against us for our “colonial policy.” Although I still don’t understand how a country that voluntarily became part of the Empire can be considered a colony (the same applies to Georgia). But let's get down to business.

I decided to start with the Baltic states - after all, most of the claims against us now come from there (including the preparation of millions, if not billions, of claims for “occupation”).

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

Until 1917, the territory of modern Latvia and Estonia was called the Baltic, Baltic or Baltic provinces. Lithuania, in fact, has a rather indirect relationship to the Baltic States, since, according to the imperial division, it was included in the North-Western Territory (West
ny provinces).

Most of Latvia and Estonia became part of the Russian Empire in 1721, following the results of the war with Sweden and the Treaty of Nystadt. On the territory of modern Northern Estonia, the Revel Governorate was formed (since 1783 it was renamed Estland), the territory of modern South Estonia, together with modern Northern Latvia, was included in the Livonia Governorate. In 1796, a new province was included in the Baltic states - Courland, formed after the partition of Poland in 1795. Subsequently, the administration of the provinces was entrusted to governors acting on behalf of the emperor and having vice-governors with them (in Riga, Revel, Mitau). With the exception of a short interval, from May 1801 to 1876, the provinces were, moreover, united under the administration of a governor-general, whose residence was in Riga.

So what were these lands like within the Empire? Colonies? Or new provinces-regions that were supposed to develop as part of a single and indivisible state? To do this, it is necessary to consider the cultural and industrial development of the new provinces.

CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BALTIC REGIONS AS A COMPOSITION OF THE RI

1739: The Bible was first published in Estonian;
- 1802: Dorpat University was reopened (founded in 1632);
- 1821: “Peasant Weekly” (Estonian “Marahwa Näddala-Leht”) begins publication, ed. Otto Masinga;
- 1838: the Society of Estonian Scientists was founded in Dorpat (Tartu);
- 1843: A grammar of the Estonian language by Pastor Eduard Aarens is published, which replaces the Germano-Latin model previously used;
- 1870: the first Estonian theater - “Vanemuine” (Estonian “Vanemuine”) was founded.

By the end of 1902, in the province of Estland there were 664 public and private educational institutions, in which 28,464 people studied. The percentage of illiterate people among “recruits accepted into service” (I suspect that they were in the army) was as follows: in 1900 - 6.8%, in 1901 - 1.3%, in 1902 - 6.0%.

In Livonia in 1890 there were 1959 educational institutions, in which 137,285 people studied. There were 48,443 children who were educated at home under the supervision of clergy; in total, therefore, there were 185,728 students. In the same year, of the recruits accepted for service, 83 were illiterate, and 2,458 were literate and semi-literate.

In Courland by 1910 there were “8 secondary educational institutions (over 3 thousand students), 13 special secondary schools (over 460 students), 790 lower educational institutions (36.9 thousand students)”, from which contemporaries quite naturally concluded that “education in province was better than the Russian average.”

In addition to education, medicine was also at a high level in the Baltic region. Thus, the following number of hospitals accounted for each province:
- in Courland - 33 hospitals with 1,300 beds (1910);
- in Estland - 18 hospitals with 906 beds + 40 pharmacies (1902);
- for Livonia - 8 hospitals (in each county, from 20 to 60 beds) + 2 hospitals in Riga for 882 beds + prison hospital (1890).
In addition, there was a psychiatric clinic at the medical faculty of the university in Dorpat, and a mental hospital with 362 beds near Riga. And 8 more almshouses in Riga + several in each county town.

Is it any wonder that the population of the region grew rapidly. Below is a summary table of population growth for the three provinces under consideration.

As we can see, in terms of the level of cultural development, the provinces that made up the Baltic region (the Baltics) were far from being colonies, and comparing their status with the position of India (a British colony) is at least ridiculous, if not stupid. In any case, I don’t remember that a textbook on Hindi grammar was published in India, or that Indian philosophers formed scientific societies. Moreover, if we examine in detail the educational institutions of the provinces, it turns out that there were also schools for the deaf and dumb (!) - as many as 3 of them, in Livonia. Would prim British gentlemen invest in such a dubious business from the point of view of profit? Rhetorical question.

But maybe all of the above is just a screen? And the Empire developed these territories - only to make it more convenient to plunder them? Perhaps the very posing of this question will seem nonsense to you - but this nonsense has an explanation: I received approximately this answer in that very dialogue when I asked “Why then did they develop culture and economy in these “colonies”?” - “To make them more convenient to use.” So let's check what was in the Baltic states - an infrastructure for pumping out resources or something else?

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BALTIC REGIONS WITHIN THE RI

First, a short chronology of events that had important consequences for this region:
- 1802: a reform softening serfdom was carried out in Estland: peasants received rights to movable property, courts were created to resolve peasant issues;
- 1816: serfdom was abolished in Estland;
- 1817: serfdom was abolished in Courland;
- 1819: serfdom was abolished in Livonia;
- 1849: The Agrarian Law was adopted in Estland: peasants received the right to rent and buy land from landowners:
- 1863: Estonian peasants received identity documents and the right to freedom of movement;
- 1865 and 1866: “the right to own land for all” was legislated first in Courland, then in Livonia;
- OK. 1900: almost all the land cultivated by the peasants became their property.

Initially, the Baltic provinces specialized in agriculture. Thus, being part of the Kingdom of Sweden, Livonia and Estland were called the “breadbasket of Sweden.” However, with their inclusion in the Empire, the situation began to gradually change - the manufacturing industry began to actively develop, and by the beginning of the 20th century, Courland, Livonia and Estland were among the most industrially developed regions of Russia. For example, in 1912, on the territory of Courland there were about 200 factories and factories (flour mills, vodka mills, sawmills, leather, brick, flax spinning and others) and about 500 handicraft enterprises. In the Estonian province there were 564 factories and factories in 1902, with 16,926 workers and production worth 40,655,471 rubles.

According to the calculations of P.V. Gulyan, approximately 5% of all Russian products were produced on the territory of Latvia in 1913, despite the fact that the share of local residents in the country’s population was about 1.6%. By the beginning of the First World War, the share of industrial production in the entire economy of the region was 52%. The leading place in its structure was occupied by heavy industry, primarily mechanical engineering and metalworking. Riga was considered the center not only of car and automobile manufacturing, but also of aircraft production (since 1911, the construction of aircraft began at the famous Russo-Balt plant, and later at the Motor plant, which produced the first aircraft engines in Russia). The chemical (mainly rubber), woodworking and paper industries have achieved significant development. There were also large textile enterprises and a developed food industry.

Estonia was less industrially developed (one of the main reasons for this situation is considered to be the economic crisis of 1901-1903). According to a number of estimates, on the eve of WWII, Estonia accounted for about 2.8% of Russia's total industrial output - with only 1.5% of industrial workers.

In Latvia from 1900 to 1912. the volume of industrial production increased by 62%. Such industries as chemical, food, light and metalworking were especially notable for their high growth rates. The table below shows the general structure of the Baltic industry in 1912-1913.

Another indicator of the importance of the Baltic provinces for Russia and their integration into the Empire (and, accordingly, vice versa) is the indicator of product sales. Unfortunately, data could only be found for Latvia - although, in general, it was the most industrially developed of all three “Baltic sisters”. The data is presented below.

LET'S SUM UP

So what can we say based on the available data? And that which, in its position and significance The Baltic states were not a colony of the Empire. It was one of the most powerful industrial centers in Russia, without which the normal functioning of the state was hardly possible. But the opposite is also true: without Russia, without those economic ties that existed between the Empire and the three provinces for centuries, the normal development and existence of the Baltic states would be a painful and problematic process. Actually, the events that followed the secession from the Empire and the provinces gaining independence confirmed this fact. But more about this next time, when we look at the short period of independence of the Baltic states and its development as part of the Red Empire - the USSR...

Sources:
1) The Baltic states and Central Asia as part of the Russian Empire and the USSR: myths of modern textbooks of post-Soviet countries and the reality of socio-economic calculations / A.I. Kolpakidi, A.P. Myakshev, I.V. Nikiforov, V.V. Simindey, A.Yu. Shadrin.
2) http://kurlandia.ru/
3) http://ru.wikipedia.org/
4) http://istmat.info/

, Russian historical dictionary

BALTICA, a territory in the north-west of Russia, adjacent to the Baltic Sea, one of the historical areas of the Russian state. In the IX-XII centuries. Russians settled in the Baltic region and had a great influence on the pagan tribes of the Estonians, Latgalians, Samogitians, Yatvingians and others who inhabited it, bringing them spiritual enlightenment and culture. For example, Christianity came to the Latgalian tribes from Rus' (almost all the words of the Christian cult were borrowed from the Russian language), and the administrative districts of the Latgalians were called in Russian - graveyards. In the X-XII centuries. The Baltic territories were actually part of the Russian state. In 1030, Yaroslav the Wise founded the city of Yuryev here, and the lands inhabited by the Estonian tribe belonged to Rus'. The Latgale lands are partly part of the Principality of Polotsk, and partly belong to Pskov. The lands of the future Lithuania belong to the Galicia-Volyn principality.

The weakening of the Russian state as a result of the Tatar-Mongol yoke led to the fact that many Baltic territories were captured by German occupiers, who carried out genocide of the local population. At the same time, in 1240, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania arose, the pagan nobility of which was inferior in culture and faith to the people ruled by it. This artificial and unviable state entity did not even have its own state language and used Russian. It was subsequently absorbed by Poland. For several centuries the Baltic states found themselves under German and Polish occupation. In the 16th century Russia begins the fight for the return of the Baltic lands. In the 18th century all of them fully returned to the Russian state, becoming one of the most prosperous parts of the Russian Empire. During the First World War, the German General Staff developed a plan to secede the Baltic states from Russia and annex it to Germany. The intermediate stage was the creation of puppet republics (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) in the Baltic lands, led by German agents and political adventurers.

These puppet pro-Western regimes lasted two decades and fell without much difficulty in 1940. The Baltic states returned to Russia.

For fifty years, Western intelligence services have been considering various projects for separating the Baltic states from Russia. They were carried out during the collapse of the USSR, in 1991. As after the First World War, puppet states are being created in the Baltic states, led by personnel from the CIA and other Western intelligence services. The United States and its Western European satellites have turned the Baltic states into a military-strategic center of confrontation with Russia, a transit point for its economic robbery. In fact, the Baltic states have become a colony of the West, one of the main international centers of organized crime for the trade in arms, drugs, the spread of prostitution and sodomy. The presence of such a dangerous neighbor poses a serious threat to Russia's national security.