35: The Baltic Way

35 years ago today (August 23, 1989) the Baltic Way occurred in Soviet-Occupied Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

The Baltic Way (Lithuanian: Baltijos kelias; Latvian: Baltijas ceļš; Estonian: Balti kett) was a peaceful demonstration where 2 Million Latvians, Lithuanians and Estonians joined hands to create a human chain that was 430 miles long and stretched from Estonia, through Latvia and into Lithuania.

August 23, 1989 was the 50^th Anniversary of the  Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact (signed by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union on August 23, 1939) that not only made Nazi Germany and the USSR Allies, but also allowed the Soviet Union to invade and occupy Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia.

The 1989 event was organised by the Baltic Pro-Independence Movements: Rahvarinne of Estonia, the Tautas fronte of Latvia, and Sąjūdis of Lithuania, to draw Global attention by demonstrating a popular desire for Independence and showcasing Solidarity among the three nations.

It has been described as an effective publicity campaign, and an emotionally captivating and visually stunning scene.

 

Background to the Baltic Way:

On August 23, 1939 the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany became Allies (which they stayed until June 21, 1941)

 

The Soviet Union invaded, occupied andillegally annexed Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia from September 2, 1939 until June 22, 1941 and then again from 1944 until December 26, 1991.

The Soviets made the Russian Language the Official Language throughout Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, they deported and murdered Ethnic Estonians, Ethnic Lithuanians and Ethnic Latvians and moved Ethnic Russians into the Baltics to focibly Russify the areas.

 

From 1939-1941 the Soviets Forcibly Deported from the Baltics to Siberia:

11,000 Estonians from Estonia to Gulags and Forced Settlements in Siberia (9,267 died.)

17,500 Lithuanians from Lithuania to Gulags and Forced Settlements in Siberia. (9,945 died.)

15,000 Latvians from Latvia to Gulags and Forced Settlements in Siberia (9,400 died.)

Thousands upon thousands of these Innocent Men, Women and Children were killed from Soviet Bullets, Forced Labor, Lack of Food, the Harsh Weather, etc.

 

From 1939-1941 the Soviets Arrested, but didn’t Deport:

8,000 Estonians inside Estonia and murdered 2,000 of them.

12,900 Lithuanians inside Lithuania and murdered 3,000 of them.

21,000 Lativians in Lativia and murdered 5,000 of them.

 

From June 1941 until 1944 the Baltics were invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany.

The Nazis murdered: 950 of the 1,000 Estonian Jews during the Holocaust and 49,000 Estonian Civilians (7% of Estonia’s 1939 Population.)

The Nazis murdered: 195,000 Lithuanian Jews during the Holocaust and 150,000 Lithuanian Civilians (14% of Lithunia’s 1939 Population.)

The Nazis Murdered: 66,000 Latvian Jews during the Holocaust and 154,000 Latvian Civilians (12% of Latvia’ 1939 Population.)

 

From 1945-1951 the Soviets Forcibly Deported:

35,000 Estonians from Estonia to Gulags and Forced Settlements in Siberia.

130,000 Lithuanians from Lithuania to Gulags and Forced Settlements in Siberia.

60,000 Latvians from Latvia to Gulags and Forced Settlements in Siberia.

70% of all the Deported were Women and Children under 16 years old.

Thousands upon thousands of these Innocent Men, Women and Children were killed from Soviet Bullets, Forced Labor, Lack of Food, the Harsh Weather, etc.

 

From 1945 -1951 the Soviets Arrested, but didn’t Deport:

30,000 Estonians inside Estonia and murdered 11,000 of them.

186,000 Lithuanians inside Lithuania and murdered 20,453 of them.

32,000 Latvians inside Latvia and murdered 12,000 of them.

 

Aftermath:

In December 1989, the Soviet Congress of People's Deputies accepted and Mikhail Gorbachev signed a Report condemning the Secret Protocols of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact – acknowleding the Soviet Invasion and Occupation of the Baltics for the first time.

 In February 1990, the first Free Democratic elections to the Supreme Soviets took place in all three Baltic States and Pro-Independence Candidates won majorities.

On March 11, 1990, within seven months of the Baltic Way, Lithuania became the first Soviet State to declare Independence from the Soviet Union (which was recognized by the USSR on March 11, 1990.)

On May 4, 1990 Latvia declared its Independence from the Soviet Union (which was recognized by the USSR on September 6, 1991)

On August 20, 1990, Estonia declared its Independence from the Soviet Union (which was recognized by the USSR on September 6, 1991.)

The independence of all three Baltic States was recognised by most Western Countries by the end of 1991 and the Soviet Union collapsed on December 26, 1991.

Estonia joined NATO on March 29,2004, the European Union on May 1, 2004 and the Eurozone in 2011.

Lithuanian joined NATO on March 29, 2004, the European Union on May 1, 2004 and the Eurozone in 2015.

Latvia joined NATO on March 29, 2004, the European Union on May 1, 2004 and the Eurozone in 2014.