Soviet Union officially recognised independence of Baltic States on this day in 1991

Post World War I, USSR allowed Baltic people to establish independent states and on this day, i.e. September 6, back in 1991 Soviet Union officially recognised independence for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. It was half a century after carving up heart of Europe in secret with Nazi Germany that USSR recognised independence of three unbowed Baltic states. decision me by Soviet President Mikhail S Gorbachev was first concrete episode in breakup of Soviet state that he was struggling mightily to prevent. 

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Baltic states were first occupied and annexed by Nazi Germany. However, after ir annexation, USSR reoccupied Baltic territories in 1944 and maintained control re until states regained ir independence nearly 40 years later in aftermath of Soviet coup of 1991. 

Between 1940 and 1987, Soviet Union carried out a process of 'Sovietization' which aimed to weaken national identities of Baltic people. From large-scale industrialisation to mass deportation, Soviet Union directed attacks on culture, religion and freedom of expression. Soviets me large capital investments for energy resources and manufacture of industrial and agricultural products. 

Departure of Baltic republics ‘inevitable’ 

Postwar socioecomic policies transformed all three countries from predominantly rural societies into largely urbanized countries. However, by 1970s Baltic area h emerged as a hotbed of anti-Soviet dissent. On several occasions, riots and unsanctioned anti-regime demonstrations occurred. attempts to reform system during second half of 1980s under guidance of Gorbachev created a new situation in Baltic lands.

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It was in 1988 that mass movements for change emerged in each of Baltic republics: Popular Front of Estonia, Popular Front of Latvia and Lithuanian Movement for Reconstruction. A year after, ir elected representatives at Congress of People’s Deputies in Moscow formally raised question of illegality of incorporation of Baltic states into USSR. Elections in 1990, n resulted in pro-independence majorities in all three baltic legislatures. 

(Im: @1111truth777/Twitter) 

In wake of campaign and elections, Gorbachev’s government h privately concluded that departure of Baltic republics h become “inevitable”. process also contributed to dissolution of Soviet Union, setting a precedent for or Soviet republics to secede from USSR. On September 6, 1991, USSR n finally recognised independence of three Baltic States, following which troops were withdrawn from region. 

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