1. SECTION 2
Poland and the Baltic Republic

2. History
 Settled by many different groups
 Groups became: Estonians, Latvians, &
Lithuanians
 Each had own language and culture
 Historical events tie all together

3. Early History
 People of the Baltics
 Formed many independent kingdoms
 Lithuania & Poland were largest & strongest
 Ruled much of Eastern & Northern Europe
 Latvia & Estonia small and weak kingdoms
 Often invaded by others

4. 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

5. Soviet Domination
 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.

6. 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

7. 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 Replacing old & outdated factories w/ new ones
 Seeking new sources of income
 Tourism is on the rise in these countries

8. Estonia
 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

9. Latvia
 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

10. Lithuania
 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

11. Poland
 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