Latvia


853 First written records of a state (Regnum Cori) in
present-day Latvia. The Couronian states are
later followed by states of other Latvian
peoples, the Semigallians, Selonians and
Lettgallians, and a Finnic people the
Livonians (Livs).
1201 Seat of Bishopric of Livonia (est. in 1186)
moved from Üxküll (Ikskile) to the newly
founded city of Riga. Gradual conquest of the
peoples of modern Latvia begins; completed 1290
1207 Bishop of Riga takes the style of Prince of
Livonia (Fürst von Livland) and makes Livonia
part of the Holy Roman Empire (formally 1 Dec
1225). Part of bishop's territories given as
a fief to his standing army, the Swordbrothers
Order (Schwertbrüderorden, formally Fratres
Militiae Christi, established in c.1204).
12 May 1237 Swordbrothers Order is incorporated into the
Teutonic Order as a separate branch or
province, informally known as the Livonian Order
(Livländischer Orden) and administered by the
Land-Master of the Teutonic Order in Livonia
(Landmeister des Deutschen Ordens Livland).
1253 Archbishop of Livonia, Prussia and Estonia,
previously having no separate diocese, becomes
also the Bishop of Riga. Both offices formally
merged 20 Jan 1255.
1282 City of Riga becomes a member of the Hanseatic
League. Later joined by 7 other cities: Wenden
(Cesis), Lemsal (Limbazi), Kokenhusen
(Koknese), Wolmar (Valmiera), Goldingen
(Kuldiga), Windau (Ventspils) and Roop (Straupe).
7 May 1366 Nominal suzerainty of Archbishop of Riga
over the possessions of the Livonian Order is
formally abolished.
1413 Livonian knights are entitled to elect their
Land-Master. The Livonian Order becomes fully
autonomous.
1420 Livonian Confederation (Livländischer Bund)
established, includes the Archbishop of Riga,
bishops of Dorpat, Courland, Ösel-Wiek and
Reval, their chapters (Domkapitel), Land-Master
of Livonian Order, vassals of bishops and the
Order and cities of Riga, Dorpat (Tartu) and
Reval (Tallinn). Possessions of all these
rulers were known in common as Livonia during
13th-16th centuries.
24 Dec 1526 Land-Master of Livonian Order granted, by the
Emperor, the style of Prince of Livonia
(formally from in 1530; from this moment on the
Land-Master, the archbishop of Riga, and the
King of Poland share this style). Style not
used by the Land-Master before 1557.
28 Nov 1561 The Land-Master Gotthard Kettler becomes a
Protestant, a massive reorganization takes
place. The treaty of subjugation between
the Land-Master, Archbishop of Riga and Grand
Prince of Lithuania comes into effect and
establishes two secular Protestant countries:
Duchy of Courland as a hereditary fief of
Lithuania given to the last Land-Master and
Principality (later Duchy) of Livonia in
personal (actually subordinate) union with
Lithuania (effective 5 Mar 1562).
26 Feb 1621 Sweden occupies Livonia, and annexes it de jure
3 May 1660.
26 Sep 1621 City of Riga surrenders to the Swedish forces.
26 Sep 1629 Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth provisionally
cedes the city of Riga and western part of
Duchy of Livonia, (Livonia proper and southern
part of modern Estonia), to Sweden (extended
in 12 Sep 1635 and confirmed in 3 May 1660).
The Commonwealth retains eastern part of Duchy
of Livonia (Lettgallia).
Aug 1701 - Sep 1709 Courland and Semigallia occupied by Sweden and
Russia
15 Jul 1710 City of Riga surrenders to the Russian forces,
Russian occupation of Swedish Livonia completed
10 Sep 1721 Swedish Livonia formally ceded by Sweden
to Russia under the Treaty of Nystad.
30 Sep 1773 In the Second Partition of Poland-Lithuania,
26 Apr 1795 Courland and Semigallia annexed by Russia in the
Third Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian
Commonwealth.
20 Jul 1812 - 20 Dec 1812 Province of Courland under the French occupation.
1889 Full integration of Livonia and Courland into the
Russian Empire.
May 1915 - Oct 1915 Courland gradually occupied by Germany.
5 Jul 1917 Autonomy granted to the provinces of Livonia and
Courland by Russia
3 Sep 1917 Germans occupy the city of Riga.
9 Nov 1917 - 20 Nov 1917 Bolshevik troops gradually take over the province
of Livonia (in 21 Nov 1917 military
administration of Livonia replaced by the
United Latvian Workers, Soldiers and Landless
Peasants' Soviet, located in Valka).
29 Dec 1917 Autonomous Latvian Soviet government within the
Russian Soviet Republic declared.
30 Jan 1918 Latvian Provisional National Council established
in 30 Nov 1917 by the representatives of the
Land Councils of Livonia, Courland and
Lettgallia, declares (underground) that
Latvia "shall be an independent republic."
18 Feb 1918 - 22 Feb 1918 Livonia and Lettgallia gradually occupied by
Germany.
3 Mar 1918 In the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (Brzecz-Litewski)
Courland, the city of Riga, and its
surroundings are "no longer subject to Russia."
8 Mar 1918 Land Council of Courland (Landesrat von Kurland),
set up by the local German elite in Jelgava
(Mitau), proclaims the Duchy of Courland, and
resolves to make it in personal union with
Prussia (15 Mar 1918 independence recognized by
Germany).
12 Apr 1918 The Joint Council of Livonia, Estonia, Riga, and
Ösel (Vereinigter Landesrat von Livland,
Estland, Riga und Ösel), set up by set up by
the local German elite, proclaims the
independent Baltic State (Baltischer Staat),
also and resolves to make it into a Duchy in
personal union with the kingdom of Prussia. The
German Emperor, Wilhelm II, expresses his
gratitude to the delegation offering him
the ducal title and defers his answer (which
never comes); (from 8 Nov 1918, state also
includes Courland).
1 Aug 1918 German administrations for the Administrative
Regions of Livonia, Estonia, Courland, Ösel and
Riga united into a central Military
Administration of the Baltic Lands in Riga.
27 Aug 1918 Treaty of Berlin the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is
amended, Russia relinquishes rights over the
rest of Livonia and Krustpils (Kreuzburg), but
(nominally) retains Lettgallia.
22 Sep 1918 Independence of the Baltic State is recognized by
Germany.
8 Nov 1918 A regency council for the Baltic State is set up
by United Land Council of Livonia, Estonia,
Riga, and Ösel, and the Land Council of
Courland, incorporating the Duchy of Courland
into the Baltic State, which is declared to be
a federal state, consisting of 7 cantons:
Estonia, Courland, Lettgallia, North Livonia,
Ösel, Riga and South Livonia (institutions of
the Baltic State function [from 17 Nov 1918 in
opposition] until their dissolution in 28 Nov
1918).
11 Nov 1918 Germany signs an Armistice at Compiegne, France,
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is declared void.
The German military administration of the
Baltic Lands functions until 26 Nov 1918.
Principal Allied and Associated Powers
recognize the Latvian National Council as the
de facto government of Latvia.
18 Nov 1918 Independence (Republic of Latvia) declared by the
Latvian People's Council, formed in 17 Nov 1918
25 Nov 1918 Germany recognizes de facto independence of
Latvia
25 Nov 1918 - 26 Nov 1919 German and Allied military administrations in
Liepaja (Libau), Riga and Jelgava (Mitau)
(see below).
17 Dec 1918 Latvian Conciliar (["Soviet"] from 15 Jan 1919
Socialist Soviet) Republic proclaimed (in
opposition to the Republic of Latvia);
recognized by Soviet Russia on 22 Dec 1918.
3 Jan 1919 - 22 May 1919 Soviet troops occupy Riga.
22 May 1919 Soviet troops lose Riga, Latvian Socialist Soviet
Republic reduced to the eastern part of Latvia
(Russian occupied Lettgallia).
13 Jan 1920 Latvian Socialist Soviet Republic dissolved,
Soviet Russian troops leave on 1 Feb 1920.
11 Aug 1920 Latvian independence recognized by Russia
(effective 4 Oct 1920).
26 Jan 1921 Independence de jure recognized by the Principal
Allied and Associated Powers.
17 Jun 1940 Occupied by the Soviet Union.
21 Jul 1940 Renamed Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic.
5 Aug 1940 Incorporation into Soviet Union (the move is not
internationally recognized).
23 Jun 1941 - 9 Jul 1941 Gradually occupied by Germany (Riga from 1 Jul
1941).
28 Jun 1941 Independence of the Republic of Latvia declared,
the government functions in the liberated areas
and in the German rear until 7 Jul 1941.
1 Sep 1941 Latvia is made a General District (Generalbezirk
Lettland), informally Land, within the
Reichskommissariat of Ostland. The city of Riga
(Gebiet Riga Stadt) is directly administered by
the Reichskommissar for Ostland.
17 Jul 1944 - Nov 1944 Gradually re-occupied by Soviets, except the
Courland peninsula, (in Riga from 13 Oct 1944).
19 Mar 1945 Autonomous state (Latvia) declared under the
German protectorate.
7 May 1945 Independence of the Republic of Latvia declared,
the government functions in Liepaja to 8 May
1945.
8 May 1945 German troops in the Courland pocket surrender.
4 May 1990 Republic of Latvia
21 Aug 1991 Independence declared.
6 Sep 1991 Independence recognized by Soviet Union.
Note: Present-day Latvia originates in the combination of the following entities (Latvian, German and Russian names in parentheses): Livonia (Vidzeme/Livland/Liflyandiya), Lettgallia (Latgale/Lettgallen/Latgaliya), Courland (Kurzeme/Kurland/Kurlyandiya), and Semigallia (Zemgale/Semgallen/Zemgaliya). The name Livland/Livonia refers to the Livs, a people closely related to the Ests; this name is often (early and late) used for the whole "Baltic provinces," covering present-day Latvia and Estonia. During much of the country's history, from c.1209 until 1918, the dominant elite, under all regimes, consisted of German merchants and landholders, who provide much of the administration; Riga was a Hanseatic city.

Chairmen of the Executive Committee of the United Latvian Workers,
Soldiers and Landless Peasants' Soviet
21 Nov 1917 - 22 Nov 1917 Otto Karklins                                          LSD-L
22 Nov 1917 - 22 Feb 1918 Fricis Rozins                     (b. 1870 - d. 1919) LSD-L
Chairman of the Latvian (Provisional to 23 Oct 1918) National Council
30 Nov 1917 - 17 Nov 1918 Voldemars Zamuels                 (b. 1872 - d. 1948) Non-party
                            (to 11 Nov 1918 underground)
Chairman of the Joint Council of Livonia, Estonia, Riga, and Ösel
12 Apr 1918 - 8 Nov 1918 Adolph Konstantin Jakob Baron     (b. 1851 - d. 1925)
                             Pilar von Pilchau
Reichskommissare for the Baltic Sea Region
1 Aug 1918 - 8 Nov 1918 Friedrich Karl Alexander Cäsar    (b. 1869 - d. 1946)
                             Freiherr von Falkenhausen
8 Nov 1918 - 14 Nov 1918 August Winnig                     (b. 1878 - d. 1956)
Head of the Military Administration of the Baltic Lands
1 Aug 1918 - 4 Dec 1918 Alfred Freiherr von Gossler       (b. 1867 - d. 1946)
Baltic Duke
8 Nov 1918 - 28 Nov 1918 Adolf Friedrich Albrecht Heinrich
                             Herzog von Mecklenburg-Schwerin (b. 1873 - d. 1969)
                           (nominated, never assumes office)
8 Nov 1918 - 28 Nov 1918 Adolph Konstantin Jakob Baron     (s.a.)
                             Pilar von Pilchau -Regent
                           (president of the Baltic Council of Regency)
Chairman of the Baltic Land Executive Committee
8 Nov 1918 - 28 Nov 1918 Eduard Julius Alexander Freiherr (b. 1863 - d. 1939)
                             von Dellingshausen
Presidents
17 Nov 1918 - 16 Apr 1919 Janis Cakste (1st time)           (b. 1859 - d. 1927) LZS
                            (chairman of the Latvian People's Council;
                             continues in opposition in northern
                             Livonia to 3 Jul 1919)
24 Jan 1919 - 22 May 1919 Peteris Stucka                    (b. 1865 - d. 1932) LKP
                            (acting chairman of the central executive committee,
                             of the Latvian SSR in opposition 6 Mar 1919 -
                             6 Mar 1919 - 13 Jan 1920, also chairman of
                             the Central Commitee of the Latvian Communist
                             Party; continues in Lettgallia to 13 Jan 1920)
16 Apr 1919 - 3 Jul 1919 the heads of the government (acting)
3 Jul 1919 - 7 Nov 1922 Janis Cakste (2nd time)           (s.a.)               LZS
                            (chairman of the Latvian People's Council
                             to 1 May 1920, then president of the
                             Constitutional Assembly)
7 Nov 1922 - 18 Nov 1922 Fridrihs Vesmanis (acting)        (b. 1875 - d. 1942) LSDSP
18 Nov 1922 - 3 Nov 1925 Janis Cakste (2nd time)           (s.a.)               DC
3 Nov 1925 - 10 Nov 1925 Pauls Kalnins (1st time)(acting) (b. 1872 - d. 1945) LSDSP
10 Nov 1925 - 14 Mar 1927 Janis Cakste (3rd time)           (s.a.)               DC
14 Mar 1927 - 8 Apr 1927 Pauls Kalnins (2nd time)(acting) (s.a.)               LSDSP
8 Apr 1927 - 8 Apr 1930 Gustavs Zemgals                   (b. 1871 - d. 1939) DC
8 Apr 1930 - 11 Apr 1930 Pauls Kalnins (3rd time)(acting) (s.a.)               LSDSP
11 Apr 1930 - 11 Apr 1936 Alberts Kviesis                   (b. 1881 - d. 1944) LZS;1934 None
11 Apr 1936 - 21 Jul 1940 Karlis Ulmanis                    (b. 1877 - d. 1942) Non-party
                            (from 1934, self-styled Vadonis [Leader])
21 Jul 1940 - 25 Aug 1940 Augusts Kirhensteins (acting)     (b. 1872 - d. 1963) LDTB                            (not recognized internationally or                              by Latvian diplomats abroad) Chairman of the Latvian Organization Central Committee28 Jun 1941 - 7 Jul 1941 Ernests Kreismanis                (b. 1890 - d. 1965) Mil
Commanders-in-chief of the Army Group Nord
1 Jul 1941 - 4 Jul 1941 Wilhelm Ritter von Leeb           (b. 1876 - d. 1956)
Commander of the Army Region Nord
5 Jul 1941 - 31 Aug 1941 Franz von Roques                  (b. 1877 - d. 1967)
Generalkommissare Lettland
1 Sep 1941 - 12 Aug 1944 Otto Heinrich Drechsler           (b. 1895 - d. 1945) NSDAP
12 Aug 1944 - 2 Feb 1945 W. von Borke (acting)
Commanders of the Army Group Kurland
15 Jan 1945 - 27 Jan 1945 Lothar Rendulic (1st time)        (b. 1887 - d. 1971)
27 Jan 1945 - 10 Mar 1945 Heinrich Gottfried Freiherr von
                             Vietinghoff gen. Scheel         (b. 1887 - d. 1952)
10 Mar 1945 - 25 Mar 1945 Lothar Rendulic (2nd time)        (s.a.)
25 Mar 1945 - 8 May 1945 Carl Hilpert                      (b. 1888 - d. 1948)
Plenipotentiary of the Reich
2 Feb 1945 - 8 May 1945 Hermann Heinrich Behrend          (b. 1898 - d. 1987)
Chairman of the Latvian National Council
20 Feb 1945 - 7 May 1945 Oskars Dankers                    (b. 1883 - d. 1965) Mil
Chairman of the Latvian People's Council
7 May 1945 - 8 May 1945 Janis Andersons                   (b. 1902 - d. 1969) Non-party
Presidents
3 May 1990 - 8 Jul 1993 Anatolijs Gorbunovs               (b. 1942)            Non-party/LC
                            (chairman Supreme Council to 6 Jul 1993 [this office is
                             declared to be that of the head of state 15 Sep 1992],
                             then acting president)
8 Jul 1993 - 8 Jul 1999 Guntis Ulmanis                    (b. 1939)            LZS
8 Jul 1999 - 8 Jul 2007 Vaira Vike-Freiberga (f)          (b. 1937)            Non-party
8 Jul 2007 - Valdis Zatlers (b. 1955)    Non-party

Prime ministers
17 Nov 1918 - 16 Apr 1919 Karlis Ulmanis (1st time)         (s.a.)               LZS
                            (continues in opposition in northern
                             Livonia to 3 Jul 1919)
17 Dec 1918 - 22 May 1919 Peteris Stucka                    (s.a.)               LKP
                            (chairman of the [Provisional to 15 Jan 1919]
                             Soviet Government of the Latvian SSR; in opposition,
                             continues in Lettgallia to 13 Jan 1920)
16 Apr 1919 - 26 Apr 1919 Hans Joachim Paul Adolph Baron
                             von Manteuffel gen. Szoege      (b. 1894 - d. 1919) Mil
                            (chairman of the Security Committee
                             of the Local Front Troops)
26 Apr 1919 - 11 May 1919 Oskars Borkovskis (acting)        (b. 1872 - d. 1945) Non-party
11 May 1919 - 29 Jun 1919 Andrievs Niedra                   (b. 1871 - d. 1942) LZP
29 Jun 1919 - 3 Jul 1919 von Timroth (acting)                                   Mil
                            (commander-in-chief of "Latvian Army")
3 Jul 1919 - 17 Jun 1921 Karlis Ulmanis (2nd time)         (s.a.)               LZS
17 Jun 1921 - 25 Jan 1923 Zigfrids Meierovics (1st time)    (b. 1887 - d. 1925) LZS
25 Jan 1923 - 26 Jun 1923 Janis Pauluks                     (b. 1865 - d. 1937) LZS
26 Jun 1923 - 25 Jan 1924 Zigfrids Meierovics (2nd time)    (s.a.)               LZS
25 Jan 1924 - 16 Dec 1924 Voldemars Zamuels (1st time)      (b. 1872 - d. 1948) DC
16 Dec 1924 - 23 Dec 1925 Hugo Celmins (1st time)           (b. 1877 - d. 1941) LZS
23 Dec 1925 - 4 May 1926 Karlis Ulmanis (3rd time)         (s.a.)               LZS
4 May 1926 - 17 Dec 1926 Artur Alberings                   (b. 1876 - d. 1934) LZS
17 Dec 1926 - 21 Jan 1928 Margers Skujenieks (1st time)     (b. 1886 - d. 1941) ALSMSP-LS
21 Jan 1928 - 1 Dec 1928 Peteris Jurasevskis               (b. 1872 - d. 1945) DC
1 Dec 1928 - 24 Mar 1931 Hugo Celmins (2nd time)           (s.a.)               LZS
24 Mar 1931 - 5 Dec 1931 Karlis Ulmanis (4th time)         (s.a.)               LZS
5 Dec 1931 - 23 Mar 1933 Margers Skujenieks (2nd time)     (s.a.)               PA
23 Mar 1933 - 17 Mar 1934 Adolfs Blodnieks                  (b. 1889 - d. 1962) JSP
17 Mar 1934 - 19 Jun 1940 Karlis Ulmanis (5th time)         (s.a.)         LZS;1934 Non-party
20 Jun 1940 - 25 Aug 1940 Augusts Kirhensteins              (s.a.)               LDTB
                            (not recognized internationally or
                             by Latvian diplomats abroad)
1 Jul 1941 - 7 Jul 1941 Bernhards Einbergs (acting)       (b. 1893 - d. 19..) Non-party
First Directors-General of the Land Self-Government
7 Jul 1941 - 1 Sep 1941 Alfreds Valdmanis                 (b. 1908 - d. 1978) Non-party
                            (not recognized officially)
1 Sep 1941 - 20 Feb 1945 Oskars Dankers                    (s.a.)               Mil
                            (not recognized officially to 18 Mar 1942,
                             acting to 16 Mar 1944, suspended from 27 Sep 1944)
President of the Latvian National Committee
20 Feb 1945 - 3 May 1945 Rudolfs Bangerskis                (b. 1878 - d. 1958) Mil
Prime ministers
3 May 1945 - 8 May 1945 Roberts Osis (provisional)        (b. 1900 - d. 1973) Mil
7 May 1990 - 3 Aug 1993 Ivars Godmanis (1st time)         (b. 1951)            LTF
                            (chairman of the Council of Ministers to 6 Jul 1993)
3 Aug 1993 - 19 Sep 1994 Valdis Birkavs                    (b. 1942)            LC
19 Sep 1994 - 21 Dec 1995 Maris Gailis                      (b. 1951)            LC
21 Dec 1995 - 7 Aug 1997 Andris Skele (1st time)           (b. 1958)            Non-party
7 Aug 1997 - 26 Nov 1998 Guntars Krasts                    (b. 1957)            TB-LNNK
26 Nov 1998 - 16 Jul 1999 Vilis Kristopans                  (b. 1954)            LC
16 Jul 1999 - 5 May 2000 Andris Skele (2nd time)           (s.a.)               TP
5 May 2000 - 7 Nov 2002 Andris Berzins                    (b. 1951)            LC
7 Nov 2002 - 9 Mar 2004 Einars Repse                      (b. 1961)            JL
9 Mar 2004 - 2 Dec 2004 Indulis Emsis                     (b. 1952)            LZP/ZZS
2 Dec 2004 - 20 Dec 2007 Aigars Kalvitis                   (b. 1966)            TP
20 Dec 2007 -              Ivars Godmanis (2nd time)         (s.a.) LC

Republic of Latvia in Exile

[Latvian flag]

Acting Presidents
17 Jun 1940 - 8 Sep 1944 Vacant
8 Sep 1944 - 27 Aug 1945 Pauls Kalnins (4th time)          (s.a.)               LSDSP
                           (underground to Oct 1944)
27 Aug 1945 - 2 Dec 1969 Bishop Jazeps Rancans             (b. 1886 - d. 1969) LKZKP
2 Dec 1969 - 21 Aug 1991 Vacant

Heads of the Diplomatic Service
17 Jun 1940 - 29 Apr 1963 Karlis Zarins (in London)         (b. 1879 - d. 1963) Non-party
29 Apr 1963 - 1 Oct 1970 Arnolds Spekke                    (b. 1887 - d. 1972) Non-party
                           (in Washington, DC)
1 Oct 1970 - 21 Aug 1991 Anatols Dinbergs                  (b. 1911 - d. 1993) Non-party
                            (in Washington, DC)

Resistance to German and Soviet occupation 1943-1946

Note: Anti-German (and also anti-Soviet) resistance groups united in 1943 to form Latvian Central Council, which organized military activities in late 1944. The anti-Soviet partisan movement in Latvia, mostly without overall leadership, continued into 1949 when their
activities were suppressed by Soviet troops.

Chairmen of the Latvian Central Council
13 Aug 1943 - 29 Apr 1944 Konstantins Cakste                (b. 1901 - d. 1945) DC
29 Apr 1944 - 12 Jul 1944 Bruno Kalnins (acting)            (b. 1899 - d. 1990) LSDSP
Jul 1944 - 1946            Verners Tepfers                   (b. 1893 - d. 1958) DC
                            (from 1 Nov 1944 in Stockholm, Sweden exile)

Chairman of the Presidium of the Latvian Fatherland Guards (Partisans) Alliance
24 Aug 1945 - 10 Jan 1946 Antons Juhnevics (b. 1905 - d. 1947)


Livonian People's Flag Adopted 1923

Territorial Disputes: Russia refuses to sign the 1997 boundary treaty due to Latvian insistence on a unilateral clarificatory declaration referencing Soviet occupation of Latvia and territorial losses; Russia demands better Latvian treatment of ethnic Russians in Latvia; as of January 2007, ground demarcation of the boundary with Belarus was complete and mapped with final ratification documentation in preparation; the Latvian parliament has not ratified its 1998 maritime boundary treaty with Lithuania, primarily due to concerns over oil exploration rights; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Latvia must implement the strict Schengen border rules with Russia.

Party abbreviations: JL = New Era Party (Partija Jaunais Laiks, centerist, est. 2002);
LC = Savieniba Latvijas Cels (Union Latvia's Way, liberal, 1993-); TB-LNNK = Apvieniba Tevzemei un Brivibai-Latvijas Nacionalas Neatkaribas Kustiba (Union For Fatherland and Freedom - Latvian National Independence Movement, national-conservative, 1997-); TP = Tautas Partija (People's Party, conservative reformist, 1998-); LSDSP = Latvijas Socialdemokratiska Stradnieku Partija (Latvian Social-Democratic Workers' Party, social-democratic, 1989-);
LZP = Latvijas Zaja Partija (Latvian Green Party); LZS = Latvijas Zemnieku savieniba (Latvian Farmers' Union, agrarian/centerist); ZZS = Zalo un Zemnieku savieniba (Green and Farmers Union, union LZS and LZP); Mil = Military;
- Former parties:ALSMSP-LS = Apvienota Latvijas Socialdemokratu Mazinieku Stradnieku Partija -Laukstradnieku Savieniba (United Latvian Social-Democratic Menshevik Workers' Party - Agricultural Workers' Union, 1922-1931); BNA = Baltischer Nationalausschuss (Baltic National Comittee, Baltic German parties umbrella organization, 1918-1919); Bund = Jewish Workers’ Union in Lithuania, Poland and Russia "Bund" (Jewish social-democratic, 1897-19..);
DC = Partija Demokratiskais Centrs (Party Democratic Center, liberal, 1922-1934);
JSP = Jaunzemnieku un Sikgruntnieku Partija (New Farmers and Small Landowners' Party, 1924-1934); LDTB = Latvijas Darba Tautas Bloks (Latvian Working People's Bloc, communist front bloc, in 1940); LKP = Latvijas Komunistiska Partija (Latvian Communist Party, 1919-1991, branch of All-Russia/All-Union Communist Party 1919-1920 and 1940-1991, only legal party 1919-1920 and 1940-1989; 1940-1952 named Latvijas Komunistiska Bolseviku Partija [Latvian Communist Bolshevik Party]); LKZKP = Latvijas Kristigo Zemnieku un Katolu Partija (Latvian Christian Farmers and Catholics' Party, christian-democratic, 1920-1934); LSD-M/L = Latvijas Socialdemokratija - Mazinieki/Lielinieki (Latvian Social Democracy, social-democratic/
communist, branch of the Russian Social-Democratic Workers' Party, former LSDSP, 1906-1919); LSDSP = Latvijas Socialdemokratiska Stradnieku Partija (Latvian Social-Democratic Workers' Party, social-democratic, 1904-1906 and 1918-1934); LTF = Latvijas Tautas Fronte (Latvian People's Front, pro-independence, 1988-1993); LTP = Latviesu Tautas Partija (Latvian People's Party, conservative, 1905-1918); LZP = Latvijas Zemturu Padome (Latvian Landholders' Council, conservative, former LTP, 1918-1919); LZS = Latvijas Zemnieku Savieniba (Latvian Farmers' Union, centrist, 1917-1934); NSDAP = Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (National Socialist German Workers Party, Nazi fascist, authoritarian, German nationalist -only legal party 1941-1944); PA = Progresiva Apvieniba (Progressive Union, former ALSMSP-LS, 1931-1934)

Courland


c.1562 - 26 Apr 1795


26 Apr 1795 - 20 Nov 1917


May 1917 - Nov 1917 (unofficial)

Map of Courland

Capital: Mitau
(Jelgava)

Population: 350,000 (1795)
(excluding Pilten)

Constitution:
Formula Regiminis
(28 Mar 1617)

1207 Bishop of Riga takes the style of Prince of Livonia
(Fürst von Livland) and makes Livonia part of the Holy
Roman Empire (formally 1 Dec 1225). Part of Bishop's
territories given as a fief to his standing army, the
Swordbrothers Order (Schwertbrüderorden, formally
Fratres Militiae Christi, established in c.1204).
12 May 1237 Swordbrothers Order is incorporated into the Teutonic Order
as a separate branch or province, informally known as the
Livonian Order (Livländischer Orden) and administered by
the Land-Master of the Teutonic Order in Livonia
(Landmeister des Deutschen Ordens Livland).
7 May 1366 Nominal suzerainty of Archbishop of Riga over the possessions
of the Livonian Order is formally abolished.
1413 Livonian knights are entitled to elect their Land-Master. The
Livonian Order becomes fully autonomous.
5 Mar 1562 Duchy of Courland (in full Duchy of Courland and Semigallia)
established as a hereditary fief of Lithuania given to the last
Land-Master of Livonian Order Gotthard Kettler and covering
former possessions of the Order south-west of the Daugava River.
4 Jul 1569 Poland and Lithuania enjoy equal rights regarding Duchy of
Courland and Semigallia.
31 May 1596 - 28 Mar 1617 Duchy of Courland and Semigallia informally partitioned into
Duchies of Courland and Semigallia (recognized by the
Commonwealth in 17 Apr 1598). Partition became nominal from
14 May 1616 when Duke of Semigallia Friedrich became also regent
of Duchy of Courland.
Aug 1701 - Sep 1709 Courland and Semigallia occupied by Sweden (Aug 1705 - Mar 1706,
interrupted by Russian occupation).
28 Mar 1795 Courland Landtag approves annexation to Russia,
suzerainty of Poland-Lithuania declared void.
26 Apr 1795 Courland and Semigallia annexed by Russia, autonomy guaranteed.
Russian Emperor adopts the style of "Prince of Courland and
Semigallia".
26 Jan 1796 Province or Government of Courland (Kurlyandskaya Guberniya),
autonomy abolished fully incorporated into Russia.
1 Feb 1797 Limited local autonomy restored (confirmed by all successive
Emperors of Russia on their accession until 1855).
8 Oct 1800 - Nov 1917 Province of Courland subordinated, with some interruptions,
to governors-general, or other overall administrations, of
the Baltic Provinces.
20 Jul 1812 - 20 Dec 1812 Province of Courland under the French occupation (from 1 Aug 1812,
Duchy of Courland and Semigallia and District of Pilten nominally
re-established under joint French-Saxon protectorate); Russian
administration is evacuated to Riga.
1889 Full integration of Livonia and Courland into the Russian Empire.
Oct 1905 - Jan 1906 Local revolutionary governments control most of the province of
Courland. Activities are co-ordinated by the Coordination
Committee of Liepaja (Libau).
May 1915 - Oct 1915 Courland gradually occupied by the Germans (Mitau [Jelgava], the
capital of province, on 1 Aug 1915). Russian administration is
evacuated to Dorpat (Tartu). German administration for the
Administrative Region of Courland (Verwaltungsbezirk Kurland)
established; subordinated to Commander of Eastern front
(see Eastern Front under Lithuania).
5 Jul 1917 Autonomy granted to the province of Courland (actually to its
administration in evacuation) by the Russian Provisional
Government.
3 Mar 1918 In the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (Brzecz-Litewski) Courland is "no
longer subject to Russian sovereignty", but Germany "determines
the future status of these territories in agreement with their
population" (treaty declared void by the Armistice at Compiegne
on 11 Nov 1918).
8 Mar 1918 Land Council of Courland (Landesrat von Kurland), set up by the
local German elite in Jelgava (Mitau), proclaims the Duchy of
Courland, and resolves to make it in personal union with Prussia
(15 Mar 1918 independence recognized by Germany, but no answer
comes to the offer of the ducal title).
1 Aug 1918 German administration for the Administrative Region of Courland
merged into a central Military Administration of the Baltic
Lands.
8 Nov 1918 A regency council for the Baltic State is set up by United Land
Council of Livonia, Estonia, Riga, and Ösel, and the Land Council
of Courland, incorporating the Duchy of Courland into the Baltic
State.
18 Nov 1918 Part of independent Latvia.

Princes in Couronia
c.866 - c.894              Lokeris
c.894 - 12..               ....
12.. - c.1230              Lamikis
12.. - 1267                ....
Princes in Semigallia
c.1200 - c.1230            Vesthard
12.. - c.1250              Sabe
12.. - 1281                Nameisis

Land-Masters of Swordbrothers Order (Fratres Militiae Christi)
1207 - 1209                Vinno von Rohrbach                (d. 1209)
1209 - 22 Sep 1236         Volkwin von Naumburg zu           (d. 1236)
                             Winterstätten
22 Sep 1236 - 12 May 1237 Rutger (acting)
Land-Masters of the Teutonic Order in Livland
(Landmeister des Deutschen Ordens in Livland)
12 May 1237 - 1238         Hermann Balk                      (b. 11.. - d. 1239)
1238 - 1241                Dietrich von Grüningen (1st time) (b. c.1210 - d. 1259)
1241 - 1242                Andreas von Felben (1st time)
1242 - 1246                Dietrich von Grüningen (2nd time) (s.a.)
1246 - 1248                Heinrich von Heimburg
1248 - 1253                Andreas von Felben (2nd time)
1253 - 1254                Eberhard von Sayn (acting)        (d. 1258)
1254 - 1257                Hanno von Sangershausen           (d. af.1273)
1257 - 13 Jul 1260         Burkhard von Hornhausen           (d. 1260)
1261                       Georg von Eichstädt
1261 - Feb 1263            Werner von Breithausen
Feb 1263 - 1266            Konrad von Mandern                (d. 1295)
1267 - 16 Feb 1270         Otto von Lauterberg               (d. 1270)
16 Feb 1270 - 1270         Andreas von Westfalen -Regent
1270 - 1273                Walter von Nordeck                (d. af.1287)
1273 - 5 Mar 1279         Ernst von Ratzeburg               (d. 1279)
5 Mar 1279 - 1280         Gerhard Graf von Katzenelnbogen   (d. 1280)
                             (acting to ... 1279)
1280 - 1281                Konrad von Feuchtwangen           (d. 1296)
1281 - 1282                Mangold von Sternberg -Regent     (d. 1283)
1282 - 26 Mar 1287         Wilhelm von Nindorf               (d. 1287)
1288 - 1289                Konrad von Hattstein              (d. af.1303)
1290 - 1293                Balthasar Holte
1293 - 1295                .... (acting)
1295 - 28 Oct 1296         Hinrich von Dincklage             (d. 1296)
28 Oct 1296 - 1 Jun 1298 Bruno (regent to 1297)            (d. 1298)
1298 - Nov 1307            Gottfried Rogge
Nov 1309 - 1322            Gerhard von Jork
1322 - 1324                Konrad Kesselhut -Regent          (d. 1334)
1324 - 25 May 1328         Reimar Hane
25 May 1328 - 24 Jun 1340 Eberhard von Monheim              (d. af.1346)
24 Jun 1340 - 14 Dec 1345 Burkhard von Dreileben            (b. 129. - d. af.1366)
14 Dec 1345 - 10 Sep 1359 Goswin von Herreke                (d. 1359)
10 Sep 1359 - Feb 1360     Andreas von Steinberg (1st time) (d. af.1375)
                             (acting)
Feb 1306 - 11 Jul 1364     Arnold von Vietinghoff            (d. 1364)
11 Jul 1364 - 29 Sep 1364 Andreas von Steinberg (2nd time) (s.a.)
                             (acting)
29 Sep 1364 - Mar 1385     Wilhelm von Friemersheim          (d. 1385)
Mar 1385 - Sep 1388        Robin von Eltz                    (d. 1388)
                             (acting to ... 1385)
Sep 1388 - 1389            Johann von Ohle (acting)          (d. af.1403)
1389 - 1401                Wennemar von Brüggenei            (d. 1401)
1401 - 21 Oct 1401         Bernhard Hövelmann (acting)       (d. af.1404)
21 Oct 1401 - Feb 1413     Konrad von Vietinghoff            (d. 1413)
Feb 1413 - Aug 1415        Dietrich Tork                     (d. 1415)
                             (acting to 13 May 1413)
Sep 1415 - 31 Mar 1424     Siegfried Lander von Sponheim     (d. 1424)
31 Mar 1424 - May 1424     Dietrich Kra (acting)             (d. af.1427)
May 1424 - Oct 1433        Cisse von dem Rutenberg           (d. 1433)
Oct 1433 - 1 Sep 1435     Frank Kirskorf                    (d. 1435)
                             (acting to Jan 1434)
1 Sep 1435 - Dec 1437     Heinrich von Böckenförde, gen.    (d. 1437)
                             Schüngel (acting to Oct 1435)
Dec 1437 - May 1438        Gottfried von Rodenberg (acting) (d. af.1448)
May 1438 - 29 Jun 1450     Heidenrich Vincke von Overberg    (d. 1450)
                             (regent to 19 Jun 1439)
29 Jun 1450 - 6 Sep 1450 Gotthard von Plettenberg (acting) (d. af.1461)
6 Sep 1450 - 15 Aug 1469 Johann von Mengede, gen. Osthof   (d. 1469)
15 Aug 1469 - 7 Jan 1470 Johann von Krieckenbeck, gen. Spor(d. 1472)
                             (acting)
7 Jan 1470 - Oct 1471     Johann Waldhaus von Heerse        (d. 1472)
Oct 1471 - Nov 1483        Bernd von der Borch               (d. 1488)
                             (acting to 1472)
Nov 1483 - 26 May 1494     Johann Freitag von Loringhoven    (b. 143. - d. 1494)
                             (acting to 10 Jan 1485)
26 May 1494 - 28 Feb 1535 Wolter von Plettenberg            (b. c.1450 - d. 1535)
                             (acting to 7 Jul 1494)
1501 - 1502                Wennemar von Dellwig (acting)     (d. 1510)
28 Feb 1535 - 4 Feb 1549 Hermann Brüggenei, gen. Hasenkamp (d. 1549)
                             (regent from 1533)
4 Feb 1549 - 18 May 1551 Johann von der Recke              (b. c.1480 - d. 1551)
                             (regent from 1541)
18 May 1551 - 30 May 1557 Heinrich von Galen                (b. 148. - d. 1557)
                             (acting to Jun 1551)
1 Jun 1557 - 17 Sep 1559 Johann Wilhelm Graf von           (b. c.1500 - d. 1568)
                             Fürstenberg (regent from 1556)
17 Sep 1559 - 5 Mar 1562 Gotthard Ketteler                 (b. 1517 - d. 1587)
                             (regent from 9 Jul 1558)
Dukes (title Von Gottes Gnaden Herzog in Livland zu Kurland und Semgallen - "By the Grace
of God, Duke in Livonia for Courland and Semigallia")¹
5 Mar 1562 - 17 May 1587 Gotthard                          (s.a.)
17 May 1587 - 16 Aug 1642 Friedrich                         (b. 1569 - d. 1642)
                           - jointly with -
21 May 1596 - 4 May 1616 Wilhelm                           (b. 1574 - d. 1640)
26 Aug 1642 - 31 Dec 1681 Jakob                             (b. 1610 - d. 1682)
31 Dec 1681 - 22 Jan 1698 Friedrich Kasimir                 (b. 1650 - d. 1698)
22 Jan 1698 - 21 Jan 1711 Friedrich Wilhelm                 (b. 1692 - d. 1711)
                            (1701 - 1710 in Bayreuth exile)
1698