BALTIC STATES | How Did They Win Back Independence?

On 17 September 1991, the three Baltic Republics - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - joined the United Nations. It marked the end of a long battle for statehood. However, their independence didn't mark the creation of three new countries. Instead, it amounted to a process of regained independence. All three had in fact previously been sovereign states.

Hello and welcome! My name is James Ker-Lindsay. Here I take an informed look at International Relations with a focus on territorial conflicts, secession, independence movements and new countries. If you like what you see, please do subscribe. If you want more, including exclusive content and benefits, consider becoming a channel member. Many thanks!

There was a time when the conquest of a country would almost certainly mean the end of its existence as a sovereign state. However, modern international law no longer accepts invasion and occupation as a legitimate cause of state extinction or state death. While the territory may no longer be able to exercise effective or independent governance, it nevertheless continues to exist as state - even if nominally. Perhaps the clearest example of this in International Relations was the case of the three Baltic Republics - Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Having become independent states after the First World War, they were occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union during the Second World War. However, this was never recognised by the United States and many other countries. But it wasn't until the USSR began to collapse that they were able to reclaim their statehood - a process that would eventually lead not only to their regained statehood, but the independence of 12 other countries.

CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction and Titles
0:33 Conquest, Occupation and State Extinction
1:33 Baltic Republics: Geography and Demographics
2:40 History of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
4:54 The Soviet Occupation of the Baltic Republics
7:39 The Independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
10:39 The Baltic Republics and Regained Independence

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KEYWORDS

#Latvia #Lithuania #Estonia
#InternationalPolitics #InternationalRelations
#Secession #Statehood #Independence
#InternationalLaw #InternationalHistory

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[JamesKerLindsay]

The Baltic Republic are a fascinating case study in International Relations. There aren't many other similar examples. But it has set in place an important principle in international law. Of course, their independence threw up some important questions on minority rights for the Russian communities in the three countries. I hope to come back to this in a future video.

[mk-cz]

We love the three amazing Baltic nations here in Ireland and have huge links with all three. They are to be cherished as free, democratic and independent nations integral to Europe.

[piiluja]

Hi, as Estonian who was born in Soviet Union and participated in Singing Revolution, I think this is exceptionally good overview of what happened.

[SiggiTh]

Iceland, being the first country to recognize Lithuania's independence - the first recognition for a Baltic State - is, and has always been, a source of immense pride for the Icelandic people. Deemed "reckless" and "impulsive", for a nation of 250.000 people, by most of Iceland's allies and encouraged to "fall in line" by US officials - At least Iceland did something.
What effect that impulsive behavior had on the Baltic States battle is of course debatable. What isn't debatable is our pride!

[Briedys]

There is one truth - you can't choose the neibhors. But we will do everything to stay independent and live by our selfs.

[theconqueringram]

The size of a country doesn't always matter. While huge countries generally play a huge role in international affairs, sometimes smaller states can play an equally significant role. The Baltic States are an example. Reclaiming their independence at the end of the 20th century is a testament that now a state cannot forcibly annex another.

[mawuenakodzo]

Indeed "Conquest cannot lead to the end of a state."
Freedom is priceless

[MartintheMetalhead]

I had the joy of travelling to all 3 Baltic nations in Nov 2016. I learned a lot of history in the space of a week, visiting all 3 capitals.

[GeographyWorld]

Very interesting video! I love the Baltic states having visited all 3 of them.

Their story made me think about the fact that a country doesn't always have to have a single independence date. A few years ago, the Baltic States celebrated 100 years of independence and now they're celebrating 30 years of achieving it again. Both events deserve to be recognised as the countries gaining independence.

Its similar with other countries such as Ireland which went from Easter Rising to the first Dáil to the Free State, a new constitution and finally a Republic. All could be argued as the date of independence when in reality, answering a single date is misleading when all are significant.

Keep up the great work!

[nabilalhami]

After loads of Balkan videos, we are now getting a video about Baltic countries. Quite an underrated place.

[bowlampar]

Trying to reclaim your independence and free yourself from under the shadow of a big bully is no doubt very tough, but the sense of jubilation and joy one felt from a fully independent status is overwhelming and well worth.🤗

[ephraimbrener]

Thank you so very much. I was born in Soviet Estonia and witnessed its transition to a regained independence before leaving for Israel. My heart is with Estonia and I have friends there. It's an amazing country and I highly recommend visiting it.

[aureaphilos]

This episode struck a memory for me, for I was listening toRadio Vilnius on my shortwave radio, back in February 1991, when the Soviets sent their tanks into that city. I remember the announcer stating that tanks could be seen from the broadcast house, and that they would stay on the air as long as possible.
I just pulled out my old QSL verification card: Radio Vilnius, 18 Feb 1991, at 23h00 UTC, on 7400 kHz frequency.

[karkeris]

As someone whos been watching you for over a year, I just want to thank you for this video, because I'm from Lithuania.

[ScienceMagicBoi]

Thank you for making this! I'm Latvian-American, and I struggle to explain our history succinctly, so a video like yours that explains this topic so well and in such an accessible format is great! Will definitely be showing this to people in the future.

[tnorthrup]

In terms of cultural survival, the Baltic states and Poland are fascinating case studies. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was for a time the most powerful state in Europe, given the weird state of play in Western Europe before the Enlightenment. but over time as the state and its successors declined, and the nations were divvied up again and again by other powers, somehow they maintained a real, concrete sense of themselves as peoples. The more I read the less I'm convinced this is unique, but it was reading about this region of the world that first got me broadly into history in late Elementary school. I'm glad any time I can see this discussed in a holistic way.

[VanaeCavae]

The story of the reemergence of the Baltic states amid the dissolution of the Soviet Union has always been of interest to me.

[mariusrutkaus]

I'm really grateful for your video. I believe it's really important to have this clear and impartial view of history. As a lithuanian I thank you. Cheers!

[FredoRockwell]

This is one of my favorite moments in recent history, but if never thought of it in terms of the precedent it set for conquest being an illegitimate way to change national borders. Thank you as always!

[kashiiyer]

Fantastic insight, James. Big fan of your videos ! I met a Lithuanian 10 yrs back and he mentioned he was born on the day of independence of Lithuania. Little did I know then that what he meant was Lithuania's reclaimed independence !