Soviet Aggression Against The Baltic Statesby Augusts Rumpēters

Introduction

It should be noted, first of all, that Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians completely differ from the Slavic nations as to their ethnic origin and languages.1 There are many other traits as well which mark this difference from the Russians. While the majority of Estonians and Latvians are Lutherans, and Lithuanians are predominantly Roman Catholics, the Russians belong to the Greek Orthodox Church. Also, the Baltic nations have always been closer to Western Europe than to Russia in their national traditions, mentality, and forms of social life. It was only in the XVIII century that these countries came under the domination of the Russian Empire2, but even until the end of the XIX century there existed in Estonia and Latvia (except in the regions bordering Russia) a system of schools, courts and administration essentially differing from that adopted in Russia. Therefore the secession from Russia and proclamation of the independent States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania towards the end of World War I was a natural process emanating from the principle of the self-determination of nations. After their accession to power in Russia the Communists promulgated, on November 15, 1917, the right of self-determination of the nations belonging at that time to Russia, including the right to secede and to establish the existence of independent states.3 This declaration, however, proved to be a mere propaganda move in order to secure the help of non-Russian nations in the struggle against the anti-Communist forces during the period of the strengthening of the Soviet regime. Disregarding this declaration, the armies of Communist Russia invaded the Baltic States at the end of 1918, shortly after the proclamation of the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. On this occasion “Izvestia,” the semi-official organ of the Communist government, said in its issue of December 25, 1918: “Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are directly on the road from Russia to Western Europe and therefore a hindrance to our revolutions ... This separating wall has to be destroyed.”

Thus the newly established Baltic States, i.e. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, had to take arms in order to liberate their countries from the red aggressors, which they managed to achieve in 1919-20.