Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania: United by the Baltic, Divided by History

Welcome to Drew's Explorer Notes!

In this episode, we delve into the rich histories of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Located along the Baltic Sea, these three nations share geographical ties but have distinct historical narratives shaped by various empires and cultural exchanges. From the impact of German Crusaders and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth to the dominion of the Swedish and Russian empires, we explore how these influences have sculpted their unique national identities.

Discover how each country's path to independence and modern transformations reflect their resilience and quest for autonomy.

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:36 Early Beginnings
02:25 Empires' Influence
05:46 National Awakenings
08:36 War and Occupation
12:00 Modern Independence
13:25 Distinct Futures

#Estonia #Latvia #Lithuania #BalticStates #BalticSea #GermanCrusaders #TeutonicOrder #HanseaticLeague #Mindaugas #Gediminas #SwedishEmpire #PolishLithuanianCommonwealth #LiberumVeto #RussianEmpire #NationalAwakening #JohannVoldemarJannsen #KrišjānisBarons #BookSmugglers #MolotovRibbentropPact #SovietUnion #NaziGermany #WorldWarII #Holocaust #Perestroika #BalticWay #ColdWar #Independence1991 #DigitalInnovation # EU #EUAccession #NATO

[robertstimac]

If you have passed all that past the tumor tissue from the USSR, then you will live forever, many greetings from Croatia!! I wish all the Baltic states good health and happiness!!

[stevedolesch]

Zasmirko100, I agree. All three had and still do the same history. I was born in Budapest in 1955. I do underrstand what you went through Soviet dominance. I understand because I stayed in Hungary until 1965 when I came to Canada. I noticed the big difference between Sweden's influence and NAZI/Soviet domination. As of this moment, I'm worried about the present situation regarding Putin's mindset. Russia hasn't changed one bit. I'm glad all three joined EU and NATO. I wish you all three Peace. Ramybė Miers Rahu

[robertzali]

There were quite intelligent and realistic thinking figures among the Bolsheviks. After prolonged clashes between the young Lithuanian army and detachments of the Bolsheviks, it was decided to start negotiations.
12.07.1920 The Treaty of Peace between Lithuania and Russia was signed by Lenin, where agreed borders were established to take into account those eastern territories of Lithuania, which during the Tsar's rule were violently Russified by building new Orthodox churches and resettling the Orthodox population. Today it is much smaller than those days.

[Not-Impressed..]

Being in the same geographical area doesn't necessarily make nations brotherly.
The reason they are different countries, means they have more to divide than to share.

[zasmirko]

The last 200 years our history was the same, with little local differences - so we are not divided but united by our history.

[forgottenmusic]

The title could hardly be more incorrect. Estonia and Latvia share nearly the same history for 800 years. It's the ethnic origin what divides, not history.