The Latvian SSR: cities, sights, industry, natural and mechanical movement of the population, history. Education of the Latvian SSR

In 1991, the Soviet Union ceased to exist. However, earlier the Baltic republics, including the Latvian SSR, separated from it. Despite various interpretations of the history of its formation and existence within the framework of the Soviet Union, one can not but acknowledge the achievements of that period. And they were, and considerable!

Prehistory

On August 5, 1940, residents of the Soviet Union recognized the admission of another republic to the USSR . However, the prehistory of this event began as early as in 1939 by signing a pact between the USSR and Germany, to which secret protocols were attached, where the spheres of their interests in Eastern Europe were clearly delineated. In particular, Latvia, Estonia, Finland were to be controlled by the Soviet Union, and Lithuania - by Germany. As for Poland, its eastern regions were recognized as the sphere of interests of the USSR, while the western regions were recognized as the Third Reich.

After the outbreak of World War II, the Baltic countries declared their neutrality. However, after the occupation of Poland, they were forced to agree to the introduction of Soviet troops. As a result, from the end of October, parts of the 16th Rifle Corps, as well as the 31st High-Speed Bomber and 10th Fighter Aviation Regiments and other units totaling 25,000 men were stationed in Lithuania.

Entry of Soviet troops

In mid-June 1940, the Soviet government presented ultimatums to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, in which their state leaders were accused of violating the terms of mutual assistance treaties previously concluded with the USSR. In addition, these countries were required to deploy additional contingents of Soviet troops to their territory and form new ones. The conditions were accepted. Within a day, units of the Red Army entered Latvia. A new government was also formed, headed by A. Kirchenstein. It organized elections to the People's Seim. The only political force that won them was the "Block of the Working People".

Education of the Latvian SSR

At the first meeting of the People's Seim, Soviet power and the formation of the Latvian SSR were proclaimed. In addition, the deputies sent an official request to Moscow for the republic to become part of the USSR. She was satisfied, and on August 5, Latvia became part of the Soviet Union. Immediately, work was begun to change the Constitution and the formation of new local authorities.

History of the Latvian SSR (pre-war period)

The first steps of the new government aroused various reactions among the residents of the republic. For example, immediately after the deputies proclaimed the formation of the Latvian SSR (year 1940), the debts of peasant farms began to be written off, which most rural residents accepted with enthusiasm. At the same time, nationalization was carried out, including large apartment buildings, which aroused discontent among urban residents belonging to the middle class.

In addition, the joint use of rubles and lats led to a shortage of goods and a rise in prices, because of which it was decided to withdraw the national currency from circulation. At the same time, large losses were incurred by those who had deposits in banks, since amounts over 1,000 rubles were confiscated. A storm of indignation was also caused by the formation of state farms, where members of small peasant farms were forcibly registered. As a result, at the beginning of Germany's invasion of the USSR, the republic was in a rather tense political situation, and several underground anti-Soviet organizations operated. There came a time of punitive measures - the shooting and sending to the camps of the Latvian military, as well as the deportation of more than 14,000 civilians suspected of supporting the resistance forces.

An occupation

The Latvian SSR was one of the first to become the target for the attack of the Wehrmacht army. However, if in Belarus and Ukraine the population supported the Red Army, in Latvia the situation developed quite differently. So, immediately after the intensive bombing of Ventspils and Liepaja, an uprising against the Soviet regime began in the country. Members of underground organizations formed from among those who were dissatisfied with the policy of the new authorities, self-defense units and began to attack the units of the Red Army. According to estimates made already in the post-war years, only in June they killed 6,000 Communists, Soviet officials and Jews.

To save those civilians who were threatened with the massacre of nationalists, the government of the USSR evacuated them deep into the country. In total, more than 53,000 people who had previously lived in the Latvian SSR were removed.

As part of the Ostland Reich Commissariat

On July 1, the Wehrmacht troops entered Riga, where they were met with delight and handed over 1,500 captured Soviet soldiers. At the same time, members of the "self-defense units" burned the Riga Choral Synagogue together with the 600 Jews who were driven there and shot more than a thousand representatives of this people in Daugavpils. By July 4, the Latvian SSR had completely passed under the control of the German army, and its government was evacuated to Moscow.

On September 1, 1941, the republic became part of the Ostland Reichskommissariat. It was prescribed to be called the General District. However, within a year or a year and a half the Germans ceased to be perceived as liberators, since it did not become easier to live. Nevertheless, there were people who agreed to join the Latvian SS legion. According to contemporaries, most of his soldiers were patriots who wanted to see their country independent. They chose Germany, because they saw in it a lesser evil and hated Russia.

After the war

Thanks to the heroism of the Soviet people, the Nazis failed to bring the USSR to their knees. October 13, 1944, Soviet troops entered Riga. Right after that the Latvian SSR began to restore its central authorities, industry and agriculture.

At the same time, the flywheel of the Soviet repressive machine was fully activated, which led to the deportation of 40,000 people. In order to provide the products of the regions of the USSR, which suffered more than Latvia during the war, they carried out forced collectivization.

Development of industry

Since the republic suffered less during the war years than other occupied regions of the USSR, its restoration was proceeding more rapidly. Within a few years the population felt positive changes in a number of spheres. In particular, since the early 1950s, the industry of the Latvian SSR began to develop. Such giants as RVZ, RAF, VEF, "Commutator", "Alpha", REZ, radio plant named after Popov, as well as Riga and Plyavinskaya HPPs and several CHPPs were commissioned. Housing construction was actively carried out.

Among the achievements of Latvia in the Soviet period, one can note the creation of a developed network of highways, the modernization of agriculture, as well as positive developments in the sphere of secondary and higher education, sports, culture and health.

New cities

The development of industry was one of the main achievements that the Latvian SSR was proud of. The cities of the republic grew because of the inflow of labor required for the operation of large enterprises. In addition, some villages changed their status. So, became the cities of Olaine and Vilak and a number of other small settlements.

Tourism

Although the resort settlements were on the coast of the Gulf of Riga before the war, only in the 1950s an extensive network of sanatoriums and rest homes was formed in the republic. In particular, the city of Jurmala, which was founded in 1959, became one of the most prestigious resorts of the USSR. The mild climate, clean sea, beautiful beaches, beautiful nature and healing air made the Latvian coast of the Baltic Sea a desirable place for summer holidays, especially since many inhabitants of the Soviet Union viewed the Baltic region as to some extent "abroad".

Tourists from all corners of the huge country attracted the sights of the Latvian SSR. For example, many guests from other republics were delighted with the ancient monuments of history and architecture of Riga, such as the Dome Cathedral, the Church of St. Peter, the House of the Blackheads , etc. They could also see many interesting sights outside the Latvian capital. Especially popular were excursions, suggesting visits to the Mezhdunn and Rundale palaces, the Turaida castle, the Old Town Hall and the church of the Holy Spirit in Bauska.

In addition, the interest was represented by the sights of Latvia, created in the Soviet period. Among them are the Riga TV Tower, the Salaspils Memorial Complex of Victims of Fascism and others.

Demographic situation

The natural and mechanical movement of the population of the Latvian SSR in different periods of its history was very different. Among the main reasons can be noted:

• A reference to remote regions of the USSR of persons recognized as disloyal to Soviet power;
• Losses among the civilian population of men who were drafted into the Red Army and joined the ranks of Wehrmacht units during the war;
• The traditionally low birth rate, which has fallen even more because of urbanization;
• Solution of the problem of the shortage of workers by relocating citizens from other republics to the Latvian SSR;
• A high standard of living, attracting migrants and so on.

As a result, the number of representatives of non-indigenous nationality residing in the territory of the Latvian SSR sharply increased. After the proclamation of independence it was established that about a third of the inhabitants of the country are people who moved from other union republics in 1940-1989, and their children. In the wake of the rise of ultrapatriotism, this category of the population began to be called non-citizens and discriminated against. Later, their rights were somewhat extended, but to this day they do not participate in elections, they can not hold a number of posts and work in certain areas. This seems to be absolute nonsense, especially since the country is an EU member, where absolute tolerance is proclaimed even for illegal migrants.

Now you know how and why the formation of the Latvian SSR took place (date - July 21, 1940). Like many other historical events, it had both positive and negative aspects. It remains to be hoped that Latvia will be able to overcome all the problems facing it (lack of investment, outflow of the able-bodied population, a large gap in income between the poor and rich, etc.) and will not continue blaming the "Soviet past" in them, trying to consign to oblivion all the good, That was in 1940-1990.