the Formation of the Latvian State and its Historical Context

In the show Freedom Boulevard, a conversation with historian Kārlis Silas explores the formation of the Latvian state 107 years ago, drawing analogies in the history of parliamentarism and examining the concept of a “golden age” in history.

Kārlis Sils represents a new generation of historians, having defended his thesis in Florence and focusing his research on the period of Kārlis Ulmanis’s rule in Latvia, the loss of democracy, and the dismissal of parliament.

The Latvian state was founded 107 years ago, encompassing 56 years of independence before occupation, and 51 years of continued existence in exile as a dream and a social memory. This program focuses on those initial 56 years, examining the circumstances that compelled citizens to organize and build the state.

Is the existence of our contry,considering its duration and historical context,a given?

Karl Sils: I don’t believe it’s a matter of course,nor is it a coincidence. Looking back at Latvia’s formation 107 years ago, the prerequisites for triumphant self-association into an independent country were established two to three generations prior. This was particularly true for the elite – the Baltic Germans had a long history of self-organization.From the 1860s onward, a strong Latvian elite gradually emerged, capable of successfully organizing the country.

Those who formed the Latvian state were, like all Europeans, products of the age of empires. This context – whether as citizens of France, Britain, the Russian Empire, Austria-Hungary, or smaller nations – is crucial. All lived during a period of empires that ended with World War I and subsequent revolutions. Perhaps what’s difficult to grasp today is that in 1915 and 1916, few dared to promptly establish an independent Latvian state, despite the existing prerequisites. Initial hopes centered on preserving a larger economic framework that would allow for a more successful economy while securing maximum national autonomy for Latvia. However, the revolution and the rapid unfolding of events following the February Revolution, the Bolshevik coup, and the German revolution led this confident elite to found the state of Latvia. for the subsequent 20 years after the war, the country was managed relatively successfully. These achievements were significant enough to address skepticism in older countries like France, Great Britain, Italy, or the united States, questioning the viability of these new, post-imperial nations. Latvia proved its ability to thrive.

In restoring Latvia’s independence, the success factor was perhaps even greater, given the collapse of the Soviet Union. And the way she collapsed…