SECTION 2
Poland and the Baltic Republic
History

Settled by many different groups
 Groups
became: Estonians, Latvians, &
Lithuanians
 Each
had own language and culture
 Historical events tie all together
Early History

People of the Baltics
 Formed
many independent kingdoms
 Lithuania

Ruled much of Eastern & Northern Europe
 Latvia

& Poland were largest & strongest
& Estonia small and weak kingdoms
Often invaded by others
The World Wars

WWI & WWII were devastating
 WWI
fought mainly in Poland: many soldiers and
civilians died
 WWII: began when Germany invaded Poland
from the west. Soviet Union invaded Poland from
the east. Millions were killed & property
destroyed.
 Estonia,

Latvia, & Lithuania also suffered
Occupied by Soviet army
Soviet Domination

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Soviets dominated Eastern Europe after WWII
Estonia, Latvia, & Lithuania became part of
U.S.S.R. after war
Poland remained free, but had to have
Communist gov’t
Communist gov’t was opposed by many
 1991
the Baltic Republics broke away from
U.S.S.R. & became independent once again.
Culture

Cultures are different & similar
 Speak
different languages and practice different
religions
 Latvian,
Lithuanian, & Polish
 Catholic & Lutheran
 Common
customs: cook same types of foods &
enjoy same types of entertainment
 Potatoes
& sausage, seafood
 Pottery, painting, and embroidery, music & dance

Frederic Chopin
The Region Today

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, & Poland
 Feel
effects of Soviet Rule still
 Economies not developed during Soviet Rule
 No
decent infrastructure (the set of resources, like
roads, airports, and factories, that a country needs in
order to support economic activities.
 Working
to build & strengthen economies
 Replacing
 Seeking
old & outdated factories w/ new ones
new sources of income
 Tourism
is on the rise in these countries
Estonia
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History of Russian
control
30% ethnic Russian
Russia is still important
trading partner
New ties forming w/
Finland
Language related to
Finnish
Most people are
Lutheran
Ferries link Estonian
capital w/ Finnish
Latvia
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2nd largest Baltic country
Highest % of ethnic
minorities
57% are Latvian
30% are Russian
Largest urban area of
Baltic countries
Strong Scandinavian &
Russian influences
Once part of Russian
Empire & part once rules
by Sweden
Most people are Lutheran
Sweden & Finland are
important trading partners
Lithuania
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Largest of
southernmost Baltic
countries
Small % of ethnic
minorities
80% are Lithuania
9% Russian
7% Polish
Ancient ties w/ Poland
Roman Catholicism is
main religion
Agriculture &
production of
consumer goods are
Poland

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Largest & most
populous
Gained independence
after WWI
WWII communist
gov’t formed by
Soviets
1989 Communists
allowed free elections
Ties w/ western
countries has
strengthened
1999 Poland, Czech
Republic, & Hungary