Europe 383
Riga. The Germans managed to recapture most of Latvia’s territory, but in October
and November 1919 Russian forces pushed back. Poland, which was involved in its
own dispute with the Russians, sent a force in January 1920, pushing the Soviets back
toward the border. On February 1, 1920, Latvia and Soviet Russia signed a ceasefire.
On August 11, they signed the Treaty of Riga, which granted Soviet recognition of
the new Latvian state.
MID#1234
Started in December 1920. See the narrative in the 365 Russia/366 Estonia dyad dis-
pute list.
MID#503
Dispute Number: 503
Date(s): September 9, 1939 to October 6, 1939
Participants: 365 Russia/367 Latvia
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (Imposed)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Soviet interests looked west in 1939. Specifically, an anxiety about
German intentions led the Soviets to target Finland, Estonia, and Latvia in order to
create a buffer for Russia proper, and all three states had desirable port opportunities
and access into the Baltic. The secret provisions of the Molotov-Ribbentrop nonag-
gression pact signed in August 1939 put Latvia in the Soviet sphere of influence. With
no guarantees from Britain and France and unable to play both ends against the middle
with respect to Nazi Germany, the Soviets had ample opportunity to prey on Latvia.
Intense anxieties on the border characterize Latvia’s reaction during this time. The
Soviets had first worked over Tallinn during this period, turning more of its attention
to Riga when the Estonians capitulated on September 29. Latvia responded by going
on alert and convening a council to discuss pending financial, administrative, and
military matters connected to the emerging presence of the Soviet Union. There was
a temporary reprieve when the terms that emerged were not completely fatal to the
Estonians. However, short term relief was met with great alarm when, on October 1,
the Russians “invited” the Latvians to send a delegation to Moscow for discussions.
Indications were that the Russians were going to demand an agreement in the same
manner as the one extracted from the Estonians. Specifically, the Russians wanted
Libau and Windau, both coastal cities, to use for their purposes in the Baltic Sea.
Latvia got a temporary delay on the matter, but ultimately yielded. An agreement was
signed on October 6.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from September 23, 1939. End Date changed
from October 18, 1939. Settlement changed from Negotiated.
MID#22
Dispute Number: 2 2
Date(s): June 15, 1940 to June 17, 1940