Soviet policy towards Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) in September–October 1939

Abstract

In the second half of 1939 the Baltic states stood on the way of Soviet expansion to the West and when the favorable situation was formed, to undertake the preparation and concrete action, the Soviet Government began to implement the measures political and military pressure. The turning point for Soviet policy was the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact and its military implication – aggression of the Red Army on the Eastern territories of Poland on 17 September 1939 and the German- -Soviet agreement of 1939 September 28, which gave the USSR a free hand in the Baltic states. The first stage was signing of bilateral treaties between Baltic states and the Soviet Union, in which the Soviet Union was allowed to hold airports and military bases in these countries. In addition to the promises, threats and blackmail, the most important and decisive argument, which prevailed, that the Baltic states were under Soviet dictate, was the argument of force, army decided on the effectiveness of Soviet policy. Aim of policy in the autumn of 1939 – annexation of three Baltic states, was reached in the summer of 1940, when again diplomatic action was supported by military. All the decisions and actions of Soviet Government against Baltic countries were submitted to this aim, which was reached primarily through – agreements with Germany, lack of firm resistance from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, argument of numerous army, were undoubtedly the most important instrument Soviet policy in this region, which brought long-term effects. After World War II, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to the early nineties were Soviet republics.