Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic Latvijas Padomju Sociālistiskā Republika (Latvian) Латвийская Советская Социалистическая Республика (Russian)
1940–1941 1944–1990/91
Flag (1953–1990) State emblem (1940–1990)
Anthem: Anthem of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
Location of Latvia (red) within the Soviet Union
Status	Unrecognized Soviet Socialist Republic (1940–1941, 1944–1990/91)
Capital	Riga
Common languages	Latvian Russian
Government	Soviet Socialist Republic
First Secretary

• 1940–1959	Jānis Kalnbērziņš (first)
• 1990	Alfrēds Rubiks (last)

Historical era	World War II · Cold War

• Soviet occupation	17 June 1940
• SSR established	21 July 1940
• Illegally annexed by USSR, Latvia continued de jure	5 August 1940
• Nazi occupation	1941–1945
• Soviet re-occupation SSR re-established	1944/1945
• Independence restored	4 May 1990
• Independence recognized by the State Council of the Soviet Union	6 September 1991

Area
1989	64,589 km² (24,938 sq mi)
Population

• 1989	2,666,567

Calling code	7 013
Today part of	Latvia

The Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (often called Latvian SSR or just Soviet Latvia) was a part of the Soviet Union. It existed for two main periods: first from 1940 to 1941, and then from 1944 to 1990. Its capital city was Riga.

Many countries did not officially recognize the Latvian SSR as a truly independent country. They saw it as a territory that had been taken over by the Soviet Union.

History of the Latvian SSR
Images for kids
See also

History of the Latvian SSR

Becoming Part of the Soviet Union

Before 1940, Latvia was an independent country. However, in June 1940, the Soviet Union took control of Latvia. This event is known as the Soviet occupation.

On July 21, 1940, the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic was officially created. A few weeks later, on August 5, 1940, it became an official part of the Soviet Union.

World War II and German Occupation

During World War II, the Latvian SSR was occupied by Nazi Germany from 1941 to 1945. This period was very difficult for the people of Latvia.

After the war, in 1944 and 1945, the Soviet Union took control of Latvia again. The Latvian SSR was then re-established.

Life in Soviet Latvia

Life in the Latvian SSR was very different from life in independent Latvia. The government was a socialist republic, meaning the state controlled many aspects of life. The main languages spoken were Latvian and Russian.

People in the Latvian SSR lived under a system where the government made most decisions. There were big parades and public events, like the one in Riga on November 7, 1940. Propaganda posters, like "Books for the Masses!", encouraged people to follow Soviet ideas.

Economy and Culture

During this time, Latvia's economy was linked to the rest of the Soviet Union. Factories produced goods like the "Gauja" portable radio and the RAF minibus.

Culture was also influenced by Soviet ideas. There were large events like the Song and Dance Festival in 1955. Buildings like the VEF Palace of Culture were important community centers.

Toward Independence

As the Soviet Union began to change in the late 1980s, people in the Latvian SSR started to push for more freedom. On May 4, 1990, Latvia declared that it was restoring its independence. This was a very important step.

The Soviet Union officially recognized Latvia's independence on September 6, 1991. This marked the end of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic and the return of an independent Latvia.

Images for kids

Joseph Stalin and Joachim von Ribbentrop
1940 Soviet map of the Latvian SSR
The National theater housed the People's Parliament in 1940
Demonstration in Riga on November 7, 1940
Poster of the Latvian SSR Supreme Soviet Election on January 12, 1941
German soldiers greeted in Riga on July 1, 1941
"Two Worlds" – an anti-communist and anti-semitic Nazi propaganda board in Latvia, summer 1941
Soviet soldiers in Riga, October 1944
VEF palace of culture
Song and Dance festival, 1955
"Books for the Masses!" Bilingual propaganda poster, 1945
Gauja portable radio, 1961
Salaspils police prison memorial, opened in 1967
Latvian stationery issued to commemorate the restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia: a 5-kopeck envelope without face value
Irbene radio telescope
Soviet stamp in honor of the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution, 1967
Soviet stamp celebrating 40 years of the Latvian SSR
Train built in RVR
The iconic RAF minibus
Monument to the Red Latvian Riflemen in Riga
The abandoned House of Press
Soviet nomenklatura sanatorium in Jūrmala