Latgalia (1983: Doomsday)

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Republic of Latgalia
Timeline: 1983: Doomsday
OTL equivalent: Latgale Region, Latvia

Flag Coat of Arms Flag Coat of Arms
Capital	Rēzekne
Largest city	Rēzekne
Language	Latgalian
Demonym	Latgalian
Government	Presidential Republic
President	Aleksandrs Bartaševičs
Area	14,549 km²
Population	343,646
Established	August 28, 1984
Independence	from Soviet Union
declared	April 23, 1984
Organizations	Baltic Alliance

The Republic of Latgalia (Latgalian: Republika Latgola) is one of two remnant states in Latvia, the other being Courland. Latgalia occupies the ethnographic region of Latgale, and has its capital at Rēzekne, the largest city of Latvia to survive Doomsday. The larger city that used to make up a large part of Latgale, Daugavplis, was destroyed by a nuclear strike on Doomsday, leaving the culturally powerful city of Rēzekne to become the de facto capital of the region.

History

Pre-Doomsday

Latgalia was first settled by Eastern Balts, from whom the Latvian and Latgalian languages were taken. Two main principalities were established in the region, but neither managed to truly thrive as threats from Novgorod, the Livonian Order, Lithuania, and Muscovite Russia all placed great pressure on Latgalia.

Latgalia ended up under the Poland-Lithuania Commonwealth, but was ceded to the Russian Empire in 1772. The region was largely Russified, especially in the city of Dauvgaplis. After years of seeking reunification with Latvia (which went to Sweden), Latgalia was added to the Republic of Latvia in 1920. The region of Latgalia was an integral part of the Latvian SSR.

Doomsday's Aftermath

On Doomsday, the people of Latgalia lost connections with Riga and Daugavplis, both of which were destroyed by the nuclear barrage. The Latgalians also lost contact with the main body of the Soviet Union, due to the destruction of all major Russian cities.

The people of Rēzekne did maintain connection via telegraph, radio, and telephone to Ventspils, but historic and ethnic rivalries prvented much cooperation. In addition, transportation was severly limited, as petroleum was reserved for military use. The military, which was composed of 500 reserve Soviet troops stationed in Rēzekne, all of whom were of Latvian origin, was quick to organize with the bases in surviving cities of Alūksne, and Madona. In total, about 5,000 troops were in what would become Latgalia after Doomsday.

Latgalian Soviet Socialist Republic

On January 26, 1984, the leader of the military contingents in Latgalia, Podpolkovnik (Lieutenant Colonel) Ludvigs Eglītis, declared the establishment of the Latgalian Socialist Soviet Republic. This was considered extremely popular, as Courland had claimed that the smaller city of Ventspils was the new capital of the Latvian SSR. By April 23, 1984, as it became clear that the USSR had falled apart in Eastern Europe, the self-promoted General-Polkovnik (Colonel General) Eglītis announced that the Latgalian Socialist Soviet Republic was officially independent of the USSR. Eglītis organized a new government led by a military junta, which was called the Latgalian Politburo.

In the first election, held on August 28, 1984, the Constitution, as drafted by the Politburo and Eglītis was accepted and went into action. In the election, the power was placed into a single lawmaking entity, the Supreme Soviet of Latgalia, which was to have member elected every eight years by members of the Communist party. The Supreme Soviet would then nominate one of their own to serve as the Premier.

In the first election, Eglītis was handily made the Premier.

Military

The Latgalian military played a crucial role in the formation of the Republic. At first, the military (under Soviet and Communist leaders) was responsible for the consolidation of power under Ludvigs Eglītis. Secondly, the military was responsible for the instigation of the Baltic War. Finally, the military was strongly reformed to be kept in check under the new republic.

Currently, the military operates under voluntary service, with optional use of a state-based militia.

Economy

The economy of Latgalia...

To Be Continued.

Culture

Ethnic Groups

Map Showing Local Ethno-Linguistics

While the population of Latgalia is split roughly down the middle between Russians and Latvians (more specifically ethnic Latgalians), the most recent 2010 Census shows that about 54% of Latgalians considered themselves to be ethnic Russians while 43% of Latgalians considered themselves to be ethnic Latvians. The remaining 3% is composed of Poles and Ruthenians, who had migrated following Doomsday.

Although the primary ethnic group in Latgalia is Russian, this is contrary to what many would expect and should be taken into account when learning Latgalian history. This is the result of both migration during the Soviet Era but also due to the massive migration of surviving Russians towards the Baltic in search of a safer place to live.

The second largest ethnic group of Latgalia is Latvian, which embraces the Baltic culture. The Latvians were influenced by Russians, Germans, and Scandinavians, as well as other Baltic peoples like the Lithuanians, Prussians, and Livonians.

Traditions and Customs

Latgalian traditions and customs draw largely from Latvian, Russian, and Polish cultural observances and practices. Latgalians believe that they are distinct from Courlanders because of their history of being ruled by Poles and Russians, as opposed to the Courlander tradition of German- and Scandinavian- rule.

Latgalians are normally Roman Catholic, though Courland is normally Lutheran. The Latgalian language also exhibits more Slavic influences than traditional Latvian. There used to be a vibrant Jewish community; it has since been snuffed out by the Holocaust and Soviet oppression.

During the USSR's period of dominance, the Latgalian region was largely forced to abandon its culture, as writing in Latgalian was banned, and the only recognized cultures of the region were Russian or Latvian.

Entertainment

While Latvia had one of the best standards of living in the former USSR prior to Doomsday, since then entertainment has been limited to music, theatre, and literature. Music, which typically tells folktales and is sung in traditional Baltic tradition, is played over the state-owned radio.

Literature has spiked in popularity following the death of Ludvigs Eglītis, as is generally true of all art in Latgalia. New authors, who are very elite and fine at their craft, focus on playwrights and poets, though a recent emergence of folk authors is begining to have an impact on the greater Baltic region.

Theatre, which is sponsored by the constant outpouring on plays by the Latgalian playwrights, has always been important to the Latgalians. Recent themes tend to related to a post-Doomsday and post-Baltic War sense of optimism in the face of despair.