The Early Modern History of Latvia - 8-4-2026 162

The year is 1500 AD. The Letts are under the control of the German Teutonic Knights whose domain stretches from Estonia to Semigalla. The largest city, Riga, stands at the foot of a bay. In 1561 AD, the Teutonic Knights lost a major battle to Russia. It collapsed and was divided between Poland-Lithuania, Sweden, and Denmark. In 1626 AD, Sweden conquered Livonia from Poland-Lithuania. The Latvians were under control of Poland-Lithuania. In 1655 AD, Russia began an invasion of Poland-Lithuania. In 1656 it was almost partitioned between Sweden and Russia. However Poland-Lithuania was reinstated by 1661. In 1668 AD, Poland-Lithuania retook some lost territories from Russia. In 1673 AD, the Ottoman Empire invaded a small part of Poland-Lithuania in the south. In 1700 AD, Poland-Lithuania reconquered the lost territory. In 1774 AD, Russia, Prussia, and Austria all formed a coalition against Poland-Lithuania and it was partitioned between them. In 1794 AD, Poland-Lithuania was partitioned even farther. In 1796 AD, Poland-Lithuania was completely partitioned and the Letts became under the control of Russia. Latvia remained a part of Russia through the Napoleonic Wars, the Victorian Era, and World War I. Near the end of World War I, Russia had a Communist revolution. They signed the treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany. Part of the deal was that Latvia and many other countries would gain independence. Latvia gained independence by 1919 AD. For more history of Latvia, see the next paragraph! -- Written by Vikenait Productions