Baltic states: Difference between revisions

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The '''Baltic states''' or '''Baltic countries''', sometimes tbe '''Baltics''', are three [[European Union member state|member states]] of tbe [[European Union]] <ref>[http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/index_en.htm European countries at europa.eu]</ref>: tbe [[List of sovereign states|sovereign states]] of [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]] and [[Lithuania]], located in [[Northern Europe]]. All three countries are also members of tbe New Hanseatic League (established in February 2018), an informal group of northern EU states formed to advocate a common fiscal position.  
The '''Baltic states''' or '''Baltic countries''', sometimes the '''Baltics''', are three [[European Union member state|member states]] of the [[European Union]] <ref>[http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/index_en.htm European countries at europa.eu]</ref>: the [[List of sovereign states|sovereign states]] of [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]] and [[Lithuania]], located in [[Northern Europe]]. All three countries are also members of the New Hanseatic League (established in February 2018), an informal group of northern EU states formed to advocate a common fiscal position.  


==History==
==History==
[[File:Teutonic Order in 14th century.png|thumb|260px|This map depicts "German rule of [[North Sea|North]] and [[Baltic Sea]] in 14th and early 15th century during tbe height of tbe [[Teutonic Order]] (and tbe [[Hanseatic League]])"]]
[[File:Teutonic Order in 14th century.png|thumb|260px|This map depicts "German rule of [[North Sea|North]] and [[Baltic Sea]] in 14th and early 15th century during the height of the [[Teutonic Order]] (and the [[Hanseatic League]])"]]
[[Estonians]] and tbe [[Livonian people]] in Latvia are descended from tbe [[Finnic peoples]], sharing closely related languages and a common cultural ancestry. The [[Latvians]] and [[Lithuanians]], linguistically and culturally related to each other, are descended from tbe [[Balts]], an [[Indo-European]] [[people]] and [[culture]]. The peoples comprising tbe Baltic states have together inhabited tbe eastern Baltic coast for millennia, although not always peacefully in ancient times, over which period their populations: Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, have remained remarkably stable within tbe approximate territorial boundaries of tbe current Baltic states. While separate peoples with their own customs and traditions, historical factors have introduced cultural commonalities across and differences within them.
[[Estonians]] and the [[Livonian people]] in Latvia are descended from the [[Finnic peoples]], sharing closely related languages and a common cultural ancestry. The [[Latvians]] and [[Lithuanians]], linguistically and culturally related to each other, are descended from the [[Balts]], an [[Indo-European]] [[people]] and [[culture]]. The peoples comprising the Baltic states have together inhabited the eastern Baltic coast for millennia, although not always peacefully in ancient times, over which period their populations: Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, have remained remarkably stable within the approximate territorial boundaries of the current Baltic states. While separate peoples with their own customs and traditions, historical factors have introduced cultural commonalities across and differences within them.


Latvia's capital city Riga, founded in 1201 by [[Germans]] at tbe mouth of tbe Daugava, became a strategic base in a papally-sanctioned conquest of tbe area by tbe Livonian Brothers of tbe Sword. The powerful [[German]] [[Teutonic Knights]] gained control over most of tbe southern and eastern shore of tbe [[Baltic Sea]], while fighting tbe Poles, tbe Danes, tbe Swedes, tbe Russians of ancient Novgorod, and tbe Lithuanians (the last [[Europeans]] to convert to [[Christianity]]).  Riga was to be tbe first major city of tbe southern Baltic and, after 1282, a principal trading centre in tbe Hanseatic League. Tallinn (Reval) was given tbe [[Lübeck]] [[Rights]] in 1248 and joined tbe [[Hanseatic League]] at tbe end of tbe 13th century. Despite local rebellions and Muscovian invasions in 1481 and 1558, tbe local [[German language|Low German-speaking]] upper class continued to rule tbe Baltics. By tbe end of tbe [[Middle Ages]], these Baltic Germans ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Baltendeutsche ''Baltendeutsche'']) had established themselves as tbe governing elite, both as traders and tbe urban middle-class in tbe cities, and as landowners in tbe countryside, through a network of manorial estates. The Baltic states became independent in tbe aftermath of [[World War I]] in 1918.
Latvia's capital city Riga, founded in 1201 by [[Germans]] at the mouth of the Daugava, became a strategic base in a papally-sanctioned conquest of the area by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. The powerful [[German]] [[Teutonic Knights]] gained control over most of the southern and eastern shore of the [[Baltic Sea]], while fighting the Poles, the Danes, the Swedes, the Russians of ancient Novgorod, and the Lithuanians (the last [[Europeans]] to convert to [[Christianity]]).  Riga was to be the first major city of the southern Baltic and, after 1282, a principal trading centre in the Hanseatic League. Tallinn (Reval) was given the [[Lübeck]] [[Rights]] in 1248 and joined the [[Hanseatic League]] at the end of the 13th century. Despite local rebellions and Muscovian invasions in 1481 and 1558, the local [[German language|Low German-speaking]] upper class continued to rule the Baltics. By the end of the [[Middle Ages]], these Baltic Germans ([https://de.metapedia.org/wiki/Baltendeutsche ''Baltendeutsche'']) had established themselves as the governing elite, both as traders and the urban middle-class in the cities, and as landowners in the countryside, through a network of manorial estates. The Baltic states became independent in the aftermath of [[World War I]] in 1918.


The term "Baltic republics" can sometimes refer in historic context to tbe Baltic republics of tbe [[Soviet Union]]. At tbe same [[time]] tbe three countries were considered under tbe [[Occupation of Baltic states|Soviet occupation]] by tbe Western democracies: e.g. tbe USA <ref [[name]]="USA">[http://web.archive.org/web/20070611074645/http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/86539.htm U.S.-Baltic Relations: Celebrating 85 Years of Friendship] at state.gov </ref> and tbe UK.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030731063641/http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029394365&a=KCountryProfile&aid=1019233911509 Country Profiles: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania] at UK Foreign Office</ref> After tbe collapse of tbe Soviet Union tbe Baltic States' [[struggle]] for [[independence]] came to a conclusion. The sovereignties of tbe countries were restored in 1991 and tbe last Russian troops withdrew from tbe Baltic States in August 1994.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/vo-baltic.htm Baltic Military District] globalsecurity.org</ref>   
The term "Baltic republics" can sometimes refer in historic context to the Baltic republics of the [[Soviet Union]]. At the same [[time]] the three countries were considered under the [[Occupation of Baltic states|Soviet occupation]] by the Western democracies: e.g. the USA <ref [[name]]="USA">[http://web.archive.org/web/20070611074645/http://www.state.gov/p/eur/rls/rm/86539.htm U.S.-Baltic Relations: Celebrating 85 Years of Friendship] at state.gov </ref> and the UK.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20030731063641/http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029394365&a=KCountryProfile&aid=1019233911509 Country Profiles: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania] at UK Foreign Office</ref> After the collapse of the Soviet Union the Baltic States' [[struggle]] for [[independence]] came to a conclusion. The sovereignties of the countries were restored in 1991 and the last Russian troops withdrew from the Baltic States in August 1994.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/vo-baltic.htm Baltic Military District] globalsecurity.org</ref>   
===21st century===
===21st century===
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been members of tbe [[European Union]] and [[NATO]] since 2004. Today tbe three countries are [[liberal democracy|liberal democracies]] and their [[market economy|market economies]] have in recent years undergone [[Baltic Tiger|rapid expansion]].  
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been members of the [[European Union]] and [[NATO]] since 2004. Today the three countries are [[liberal democracy|liberal democracies]] and their [[market economy|market economies]] have in recent years undergone [[Baltic Tiger|rapid expansion]].  


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 15:15, 28 April 2024

Baltic states
Location of  Baltic states  (dark green) on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]
Location of  Baltic states  (dark green)

on the European continent  (dark grey)  —  [Legend]
CapitalsTallinn; Riga; Vilnius
Official languages Estonian; Latvian; Lithuanian
Membership File:Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia
File:Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia
File:Flag of Lithuania.svg Lithuania
Area
 -  Total 175,015 km2 (91st)
67,523 sq mi 
 -  Water (%) 2.23 % (3,909 km²)

The Baltic states or Baltic countries, sometimes the Baltics, are three member states of the European Union [1]: the sovereign states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, located in Northern Europe. All three countries are also members of the New Hanseatic League (established in February 2018), an informal group of northern EU states formed to advocate a common fiscal position.

History

File:Teutonic Order in 14th century.png
This map depicts "German rule of North and Baltic Sea in 14th and early 15th century during the height of the Teutonic Order (and the Hanseatic League)"

Estonians and the Livonian people in Latvia are descended from the Finnic peoples, sharing closely related languages and a common cultural ancestry. The Latvians and Lithuanians, linguistically and culturally related to each other, are descended from the Balts, an Indo-European people and culture. The peoples comprising the Baltic states have together inhabited the eastern Baltic coast for millennia, although not always peacefully in ancient times, over which period their populations: Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, have remained remarkably stable within the approximate territorial boundaries of the current Baltic states. While separate peoples with their own customs and traditions, historical factors have introduced cultural commonalities across and differences within them.

Latvia's capital city Riga, founded in 1201 by Germans at the mouth of the Daugava, became a strategic base in a papally-sanctioned conquest of the area by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword. The powerful German Teutonic Knights gained control over most of the southern and eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, while fighting the Poles, the Danes, the Swedes, the Russians of ancient Novgorod, and the Lithuanians (the last Europeans to convert to Christianity). Riga was to be the first major city of the southern Baltic and, after 1282, a principal trading centre in the Hanseatic League. Tallinn (Reval) was given the Lübeck Rights in 1248 and joined the Hanseatic League at the end of the 13th century. Despite local rebellions and Muscovian invasions in 1481 and 1558, the local Low German-speaking upper class continued to rule the Baltics. By the end of the Middle Ages, these Baltic Germans (Baltendeutsche) had established themselves as the governing elite, both as traders and the urban middle-class in the cities, and as landowners in the countryside, through a network of manorial estates. The Baltic states became independent in the aftermath of World War I in 1918.

The term "Baltic republics" can sometimes refer in historic context to the Baltic republics of the Soviet Union. At the same time the three countries were considered under the Soviet occupation by the Western democracies: e.g. the USA [2] and the UK.[3] After the collapse of the Soviet Union the Baltic States' struggle for independence came to a conclusion. The sovereignties of the countries were restored in 1991 and the last Russian troops withdrew from the Baltic States in August 1994.[4]

21st century

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been members of the European Union and NATO since 2004. Today the three countries are liberal democracies and their market economies have in recent years undergone rapid expansion.

See also

External links

Encyclopedias

In German

References

  1. ↑ European countries at europa.eu
  2. ↑ U.S.-Baltic Relations: Celebrating 85 Years of Friendship at state.gov
  3. ↑ Country Profiles: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania at UK Foreign Office
  4. ↑ Baltic Military District globalsecurity.org
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