Baltic Entente - Formation

Formation

The idea to create a Baltic Union started gaining momentum between 1914 and 1918 and became a direct consequence of people’s hopes for independence. The concept to unite Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania originated in the minds of the numerous refugees who had no other choice than to flee to the west to escape the tyranny at home. They gathered their efforts in the struggle to achieve freedom and create nationhood. Their efforts became more evident after the end of World War I.

Thanks to the victory of Entente in World War I, and to the weakening of Germany and Russia, it became possible for the Baltic states to turn theoretical ideas into practice, establishing themselves politically in the international arena. All three countries managed to secure their independence by signing individual peace treaties with Russia in 1920. This was a big step in the way of diplomatic cooperation between the newly created Baltic countries, and allowed each nation to receive recognition of their sovereignty by the other states. Acceptance of the Baltic States to the League of Nations in September 1921 meant that Latvian, Estonian and Lithuanian security had been achieved. The major outcome of World War I — the “Versailles system” — determined a new international order in Europe. Under the new conditions, the issue of solidifying independence for the Baltic States was of paramount importance.

However it was not until 1934 that establishing the union was possible. Lithuania remained reluctant to the idea, because its international political strategy contradicted these of Latvia and Estonia. While Latvia and Estonia saw Germany and Soviet Russia as the primary dangers, Lithuania sought to ally with these states. Only Polish-Soviet and German–Polish Non-Aggression Pact of 1934 resulted in collapse of Lithuanian foreign relations strategy and forced it to change its position.