Poland & the Baltics Ch 15 Section 3

History Poland = Slavic for “plain” or “field” Poland = Slavic for “plain” or “field” Largest of the European countries; once part of the Soviet bloc until 1990s Largest of the European countries; once part of the Soviet bloc until 1990s 1700s & 1800s – under RUSS 1700s & 1800s – under RUSS AUS and PRU occupied areas of PLND AUS and PRU occupied areas of PLND Was independent until after WWII = communist government Was independent until after WWII = communist government

Baltic countries: independent from Russia after WWI Baltic countries: independent from Russia after WWI Estonia Estonia Latvia Latvia Lithuania Lithuania Soviet Union took over after WWII = communist government until democratic Soviet Union took over after WWII = communist government until democratic

Some ppl still favor communist rule Some ppl still favor communist rule Russia still controls Kaliningrad Russia still controls Kaliningrad City along with surrounding territory is an exclave City along with surrounding territory is an exclave

Kaliningrad Slightly larger than Connecticut Slightly larger than Connecticut Russia is 200 miles away Russia is 200 miles away Founded by GRM knights in 1200s – Königsberg or “King’s City” Founded by GRM knights in 1200s – Königsberg or “King’s City” Was the seat of Prussian government Was the seat of Prussian government WWII – staging area for German attacks WWII – staging area for German attacks Soviets took control of it Soviets took control of it

Soviets wanted to remove much of the German culture Soviets wanted to remove much of the German culture Renamed city Renamed city Destroyed historical sites Destroyed historical sites Forced Germans to leave; some to prison camps Forced Germans to leave; some to prison camps Key base for USSR navy Key base for USSR navy After fall of CMMSM – K = market economy After fall of CMMSM – K = market economy Businesses receive special tax breaks Businesses receive special tax breaks

Poland Ethnic Poles Ethnic Poles Language: Polish – Slavic language Language: Polish – Slavic language Religion: Roman Catholic Religion: Roman Catholic Capital: Warsaw – along the Vistula River Capital: Warsaw – along the Vistula River Est. 1,000 years ago Est. 1,000 years ago 1500s – capital of the kingdom of Poland 1500s – capital of the kingdom of Poland 1900s – largest urban Jewish population in the world 1900s – largest urban Jewish population in the world

WWII – invasion of Poland – Jews forced to live in a ghetto – section of a city where a minority group is forced to live. WWII – invasion of Poland – Jews forced to live in a ghetto – section of a city where a minority group is forced to live. Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of ,000 Jews died 60,000 Jews died WWII devastated the country; rebuilt WWII devastated the country; rebuilt Population: 2.2 million Population: 2.2 million

Krakow Krakow Medieval city Medieval city University University Monuments Monuments Museums Museums Gdansk – main seaport – shipbuilding city since 1500s Gdansk – main seaport – shipbuilding city since 1500s

Progress since Communist era Progress since Communist era Foreign investment Foreign investment Auto & glass manufacturing Auto & glass manufacturing Coal & Steel industries – lagging Coal & Steel industries – lagging 1997 – new constitution – market economy 1997 – new constitution – market economy 2004 – joined the EU 2004 – joined the EU Agriculture: thick deposits of loess Agriculture: thick deposits of loess Cereals, potatoes, sugar beets Cereals, potatoes, sugar beets Economy

The Baltic Countries

Middle Ages: two groups of people Middle Ages: two groups of people Balts – occupied modern Latvia & Lithuania Balts – occupied modern Latvia & Lithuania Finns - settled in Estonia Finns - settled in Estonia Lithuania – independent country for a long time Lithuania – independent country for a long time LAT & EST did not LAT & EST did not Vikings, German Knights (Teutonic Order) invaded and conquered Vikings, German Knights (Teutonic Order) invaded and conquered

Teutonic Knights - German culture and Christianity to EST & LAT Teutonic Knights - German culture and Christianity to EST & LAT Baltic Sea – busiest trade routes in N. EUR. Baltic Sea – busiest trade routes in N. EUR. What does trade bring? What does trade bring? Language Language Religion Religion

EST lang. – related to Finnish EST lang. – related to Finnish EST religion – Lutheran EST religion – Lutheran LAT – ties to Sweden LAT – ties to Sweden LITH – closer culturally to Poland and the Roman Catholic Church LITH – closer culturally to Poland and the Roman Catholic Church Festivals tied to church holidays Festivals tied to church holidays Folk music important Folk music important Similar instruments to Poland Similar instruments to Poland Cymbaly Cymbaly

Russian minorities in each country keep Russian cultural traditions alive Russian minorities in each country keep Russian cultural traditions alive Challenges: Challenges: rebuild their economy rebuild their economy Small populations Small populations Limited natural resources Limited natural resources – rely on trade for economy – rely on trade for economy