Changes

Latvia was subject to German occupation during WWI. It was independent again until WWII, where it was incorporated into the Soviet Union.

Latvia was subject to German occupation during WWI. It was independent again until WWII, where it was incorporated into the Soviet Union.

The first signs that the harsh Soviet rule of Latvia was relaxing came in the late 1980s, when Mikhail Gorbachev started to encourage glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring). Decades of pent-up bitterness emerged along with mass demands for self-rule. In 1987, Latvian government members joined public meetings and rallies Latvia eventually declared independence in 1991, and joined the EU in 2003.

The first signs that the harsh Soviet rule of Latvia was relaxing came in the late 1980s, when [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] started to encourage [[glasnost]] (openness) and [[perestroika]] (restructuring). Decades of pent-up bitterness emerged along with mass demands for self-rule. In 1987, Latvian government members joined public meetings and rallies Latvia eventually declared independence in 1991, and joined the [[European Union]] (EU) in 2003.

[[Category:European Countries]]

[[Category:European Countries]]

[[Category:EU Members]]

[[Category:EU Members]]

[[Category:Baltic States]]

[[Category:Baltic States]]