History of the Baltic States

"Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania experienced a sequence of foreign regimes, including Nazism and communism, before recovering their independence and joining the European Union. Clearly and accessibly written, this book is one of the first to provide a general overview of their histories from the stone age to the present using a comparative approach"--

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`Kasekamp's book is an innovative, comprehensive and balanced treatment of the history of all three Baltic States. Starting from the earliest times and taking the narrative up to the present day, it shows how developments in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia both diverge and intertwine. There is no better book to introduce the student to the fascinating story of the Baltic region.' ---James White, Professor Emeritus of Russian and East European History, University of Glasgow, UK

`Required reading for all persons interested in Estonian, Latvian or Lithuanian history. Kasekamp's command of the scholarly literature is unsurpassed.'---Guntis Smidchens, Assistant Professor of Baltic Studies, University of Washington, USA

Estonia, Lativa and Lithuania have been the battleground for neighbouring powers and the site of intense rivalry, but also interaction, between East and West. A History of the Baltic States masterfully traces the development of these three Baltic countries, from the northern crusades against Europe's last pagans, and Lithuania's rise to become one of medieval Europe's largest states, to their incorporation into the Russian Empire and the creation of their modern national identities.

Drawing upon the most recent scholarship, Andres Kasekamp pays particular attention to the tumultuous twentieth century, during which the Baltic States achieved independence, but also endured occupation by both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Finally, he explores how the Baltic States recovered their statehood and transformed themselves into members of the European Union. Clearly and accessibly written, this is one of the first English-language books to provide a comparative survey of Baltic history.



Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been the battleground for neighbouring powers and the site of intense rivalry, but also interaction, between East and West. A History of the Baltic States masterfully traces the development of these three Baltic countries, from the northern crusades against Europe's last pagans, and Lithuania's rise to become one of medieval Europe's largest states, to their incorporation into the Russian Empire and the creation of their modern national identities. Drawing upon the most recent scholarship, Andres Kasekamp pays particular attention to the tumultuous twentieth century, during which the Baltic States achieved independence, but also endured occupation by both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Finally, he explores how the Baltic States recovered their statehood and transformed themselves into members of the European Union. Clearly and accessibly written, this is one of the first English-language books to provide a comparative survey of Baltic history.

Winner of the Baltic Assembly Prize in Literature, 2011: http://www.baltasam.org/?DocID=928 'Kasekamp has produced a detailed but readable synthesis of the most current literature, which all scholars venturing into the field should consult as a point of departure. An educated general reading public - with some familiarity with European history - should also find this book of value, as an introduction to a strategically important region with a complex history. As a textbook, it supersedes most others, though its meticulous style and content makes it more suitable for advanced undergraduates and beyond.' - The English Historical Review 'Kasekamp's book is an innovative, comprehensive and balanced treatment of the history of all three Baltic States. Starting from the earliest times and taking the narrative up to the present day, it shows how developments in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia both diverge and intertwine. There is no better book to introduce the student to the fascinating story of the Baltic region.' - Professor James White, University of Glasgow, UK 'Required reading for all persons interested in Estonian, Latvian or Lithuanian history. Kasekamp's command of the scholarly literature is unsurpassed.' - Guntis Smidchens, Assistant Professor of Baltic Studies, University of Washington, USA 'A History of the Baltic States is an excellent publication opening the history of the eastern Baltics to the English-speaking audience. It is concise, well-written, and made with professionalism and competence.' - ERR News 'Andres Kasekamp's graceful history of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia is an excellent guide to the history of the three Baltic States.' - Russiaprofile.org '...an excellent up-to-date summary of the main issues and the accompanying secondary literature that will be an invaluable resource for teaching...The book can be highly recommended as an accessible historical introduction for anyone wishing to visit the region.' - David J. Smith, University of Glasgow, Europe-Asia Studies Read an interview with the author here

List of Maps and Tables		vii
Preface		viii
1 Europe's Last Pagans		1	(19)
Early inhabitants		1	(4)
Prehistoric societies		5	(6)
The northern crusades		11	(9)
2 Lithuania's Expansion and Medieval Livonia (1290-1560)		20	(23)
Lithuania ascending		20	(4)
Jogaila and Vytautas		24	(4)
The Jagiellonians		28	(3)
Feudal Livonia		31	(5)
Towns, trade and the peasantry		36	(3)
The Reformation and the disintegration of Livonia		39	(4)
3 The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Rise of Sweden and Russia (1561-1795)		43	(25)
The Polish-Lithuanian union and the struggle for hegemony in Livonia		43	(7)
Swedish dominance and the Great Northern War		50	(5)
Russia's window to the West		55	(6)
The decline and partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth		61	(7)
4 The Long Nineteenth Century under Tsarist Rule (1795-1917)		68	(27)
Agrarian reforms in the Baltic provinces		68	(4)
Lithuania within the Russian Empire		72	(4)
National awakenings		76	(7)
Russification and modernisation		83	(7)
The Revolution of 1905 and World War I		90	(5)
5 The Short Era of Independence (1917-1939)		95	(29)
The Russian Revolution and German occupation		95	(5)
The wars of independence		100	(6)
From democracy to authoritarianism		106	(7)
Economic, social and cultural progress		113	(6)
In search of security		119	(5)
6 Between Anvil and Hammer (1939-1953)		124	(23)
Soviet annexation		124	(7)
Nazi Ostland		131	(5)
Fighting in foreign uniform		136	(5)
Resistance, repression and collectivisation		141	(6)
7 Soviet Rule (1953-1991)		147	(25)
Thaw		147	(4)
Stagnation		151	(9)
The Singing Revolution		160	(5)
Towards independence		165	(7)
8 Return to the West (1991-2009)		172	(26)
Building democracy		172	(6)
Politics in the twenty-first Century		178	(3)
Economic reforms		181	(3)
Societal transition		184	(4)
Return to Europe		188	(5)
Relations with Russia		193	(5)
Notes		198	(22)
Chronology		220	(5)
Place Names		225	(2)
Further Reading		227	(11)
Index		238

ANDRES KASEKAMP is Professor of Baltic Politics at the University of Tartu, Estonia. He has served as the editor of Journal of Baltic Studies. His previous publications include The Radical Right in Interwar Estonia (Palgrave Macmillan, 2000).