Latvia During World War II
Introduction
The vastness of World War II led to the inevitable eclipse of smaller players and their realities. In traditional history classrooms, stories of countries such as Germany and the United States remain the focal point. However, World War II encompassed and affected virtually all countries across the globe, whether the impact was direct or indirect. This case study explores Latvia's involvement in the second World War and analyzes the direct and indirect influence of Germany and the Soviet Union's dual occupation of the country. Through the lens of Peter Roze Aivars, a captured Latvian civilian, this section analyzes his book, My Story, in conjunction with research about Latvia during World War II. This first-person narrative gives insight into the imprisoned Latvian soldiers whose realities remain to be buried under the myriad tragic and impactful stories of bigger players. From the occupation of Latvia by the USSR and Nazi Germany during WWII to soldiers being drafted against their will into both the Latvian Legion and German forces, Latvia's involvement is a fragmented and elaborate addition to the events of WWII.
Latvia in American Education
Before World War II, Latvia existed as a relatively small and often glossed-over Baltic country, along with its North and South neighbors, Estonia and Lithuania. Throughout the centuries, Latvia endured numerous occupations, independence, and strife, yet traditional history courses often do not highlight its dynamic history. There are many plausible reasons to explain the absence of publicly spread information about Latvia’s history, such as Western-Eastern European proximity, the country’s size, or the lack of individual representation in academic positions. Established American history curriculums tend to analyze and discuss aspects of World War II that include big players and the United States’s direct involvement. Mainstream education’s dominant narrative of World War II educates individuals by the vessel of patriotism and shared history as its main focal lens. Nevertheless, it is apparent that the dominant narrative does not prioritize showcasing the realities of this Baltic country. Latvia’s involvement in World War II does not define the war’s overall outcome, more so that the Second World War defined the reality of Latvia.