National awakening, independence and Latvia’s first republic

The Latvian national awakening began as a cultural and social movement during the 19th century.

The Young Latvians promoted the Latvian language, collected folklore, developed publishing and challenged assumptions that Latvian culture belonged only to rural life.

Civic organisations, newspapers, choirs, schools and professional associations created a broader public sphere. The Song Festival tradition, beginning in 1873, became a powerful expression of shared language and identity.

By the early 20th century, political demands had expanded beyond cultural rights. The 1905 Revolution revealed strong support for social change, political representation and national autonomy.

The First World War reached Latvian territory early because the region formed part of the Russian Empire and lay close to Germany’s eastern front.

German forces occupied much of Kurzeme in 1915. A long front developed near Riga and along the Daugava.

The Russian retreat involved destruction and evacuation of resources that might be used by the enemy. Factories, machinery and workers were moved eastward.

The refugee crisis was enormous. The National Encyclopaedia of Latvia estimates that 750,000–850,000 people from Latvia were refugees in 1916–1917.

Latvian Riflemen battalions were formed within the Russian army in 1915.

They fought in major battles on the Riga front and became an important symbol of Latvian wartime experience. Their history includes military service, heavy losses, political radicalisation and the revolutions of 1917.

After the Russian revolutions, the political and military paths of the Riflemen diverged. Many remained with Bolshevik-led forces, while other former riflemen later served in forces connected with independent Latvia.

The Latvian War Museum’s First World War exhibition presents the Riflemen through military objects, letters, diaries, photographs and accounts of political change.

The collapse of imperial authority created new opportunities for national political organisation.

The Latgale Latvian Congress supported the unification of Latgale with the other Latvian lands. The Latvian Provisional National Council argued for Latvian self-determination and declared in December 1917 that Latvia should form an autonomous state unit whose future would be decided through democratic institutions.

German forces occupied all Latvian territory by early 1918. Their defeat in the First World War created the immediate circumstances in which an independent Latvian republic could be proclaimed.

The People’s Council was formed on 17 November 1918 through cooperation among democratic political parties and a representative of the Latgale Land Council.

On 18 November 1918, the People’s Council proclaimed the Republic of Latvia in Riga and approved a provisional government led by Kārlis Ulmanis.

The proclamation created a legal and political claim to statehood, but the new government controlled little territory and possessed only limited armed forces.

The Latvian War of Independence involved several competing military and political forces.

The new republic faced Bolshevik forces, German military formations, Russian monarchist forces and other armed groups. Front lines and centres of government changed repeatedly.

Latvian military units were gradually organised into a national army. Estonian, British, Polish and other assistance also affected the outcome at different stages.

By 1920, the Latvian government had established control over the country. The Latvian War Museum’s permanent exhibition presents the proclamation and the War of Independence as a connected process of creating and defending the new state.

Latvia and Soviet Russia signed a peace treaty in Riga on 11 August 1920.

Under the treaty, Soviet Russia recognised Latvia’s independence and sovereignty and renounced sovereign rights over Latvia’s territory and people.

On 26 January 1921, the Supreme Council of the Allied Powers granted Latvia international recognition de jure. Latvia could now participate fully in diplomatic relations, international agreements and international organisations.

Elections for the Constitutional Assembly were held in April 1920. It was Latvia’s first elected legislative body.

The Assembly adopted agrarian reform, electoral legislation and other foundations of the new state. It also drafted the Satversme.

The Satversme was adopted on 15 February 1922 and came into force on 7 November 1922, when the first Saeima began its work. It established Latvia as a democratic parliamentary republic.

Agrarian reform changed the structure of land ownership by reducing the large estates and creating many new farms.

The state rebuilt transport, schools, administration and economic life after years of war and displacement.

Riga remained the principal city, while regional towns continued to serve as centres of trade, education, religion and public administration.

The interwar republic contained Latvian, Russian, Jewish, German, Polish, Belarusian and other communities. National and minority organisations contributed to cultural, religious and economic life.

Four Saeima elections were held between 1922 and 1931.

The parliamentary system was highly pluralistic, with numerous parties and electoral lists. Governments frequently changed, but constitutional parliamentary institutions continued to operate.

Latvia developed diplomatic relations, joined the League of Nations and expanded its cultural and educational institutions.

On 15 May 1934, Prime Minister Kārlis Ulmanis organised an unconstitutional coup.

The fourth Saeima was dissolved, political parties were suppressed and the functions of parliament were transferred to the Cabinet of Ministers.

President Alberts Kviesis remained in office until the end of his term. In 1936, the offices of president and prime minister were combined under Ulmanis.

Latvia remained an independent state, but it was no longer a democratic parliamentary republic.