Baltic States & Border Nations

Baltic States –Estonia –Latvia –Lithuania Border Nations –Belarus –Ukraine –Moldova

Baltic States Terrain –Flat, lowlands Climate –Humid continental, influenced by Baltic Sea Combined Population of 8 million

Estonia Language –NON indo-European, related to Finnish Religions –Lutheran Large percentage of Russian people

Latvia Language –Similar to Lithuania Religions –Lutheran Large percentage of Russian people

Lithuania Language –Similar to Latvia Religions –Roman Catholic

Location, Location, Location.. Benefits of access to the sea, and location along trade routes Drawbacks – located between powerful states such as Sweden, Germany and Russia. Invading armies battled for control of region throughout history.

Russian Control Most recent foreign power to rule the Baltic States. States gained independence after WWI, but Soviet forces invaded in 1939 and annexed the area. (Formally added Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to the Soviet Union.)

Life under Soviet Control… Soviets built naval bases in all three nations Tens of thousands of people were expelled from their homelands Nationalist symbols were removed from public view Any type of resistance was forcefully put down. Finally won independence in 1991.

Modern Challenges- Ethnic Estonia and Latvia have large numbers of Russian minorities. Latvia –Latvians are only slightly more than ½ the population –Many favor measures that would limit the extent of Russian influence Restrict the use of the Russian language Make it difficult for Russians to become citizens of Latvia

Modern Challenges - Economy Small size – limited resources, but…. All have tried to diversify –Estonia Service industries, mining, shipbuilding, manufacturing, tourism, internet –Latvia Pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, motor vehicles –Lithuania Food processing, shipbuilding, machinery manufacturing, along with agriculture

Border Nations Ukraine Belarus Moldova

Ukraine 30 million people About the size of Texas Fertile plains, huge coal resources Breadbasket of Eastern Europe –Chernozem –Warm weather –Adequate moisture

Ukraine Kiev – the “birthplace of Russia” is in the Ukraine. Once the capital moved to Russia, foreign powers fought for control of the region: Mongols, Lithuania, Poland. (Polish tried to establish Roman Catholicism, but Ukraine remained Orthodox) 1700’s Russia established authority. Tried unsuccessfully to impose Russian language Ukrainians sometimes called their country “Little Russia”, but Ukrainian nationalism remained strong.

Soviet Control Soviet rulers forced farmer to give up their land and work on collective farms. Many people resisted by burning crops. In response, the government seized all grain, leave the people to starve. Between 5 and 8 million Ukrainians died in the famine. During WWII, many Ukrainians welcomed the invading Germans as liberators!

Chernobyl April 1986 Nuclear reactor explosion Soviet Union did not acknowledge for 2 days Millions of people exposed to radiation 12.3 million acres of land polluted

Issues Must import natural gas and oil Old, obsolete machinery Foreign investors consider the regulations and taxes imposed by the Ukrainian government to be excessive.

Belarus 10 million people - Size of Kansas Orthodox Christianity Favored reestablishing close ties with Russia, and signed pact & treaties. Economy depends on industry, but they must import most raw materials. Has oil reserves. Also suffered from Chernobyl – 1/5 th of all farmland contaminated!

Moldova 2 nd smallest of the former Soviet republics, and most densely populated –4 million people – side of Maryland and Delaware Once part of Romania –most are of Romanian descent. –Romanian is the language spoken since breakup of Soviet Union. –BUT – residents rejected a proposal to unify the nation with Romania! Some factories, but economy depends on exports of wine, sugar beets and seed oils.

Fun Facts: Belarus has built geothermal plants to use heated water to drive generators Most Belarussian industries run on peat!

The End Stay tuned for “Estonia……the slide show”