Between Two Totalitarianisms. Memoranda of the Belarusian Minority in Latvia to the Soviet and German Occupation Authorities in 1940 and 1941

Abstract

The article concerns a little-known episode  in the history of the Belarusian minority in Latvia. The interwar Latvian state had one of the largest concentrations of the Belarusian population outside Belarus. Until 1934, Latvian Belarusians enjoyed cultural and educational autonomy. In the country education in the Belarusian language functioned, socio-cultural and political organizations operated, and the press was published. After the introduction of an authoritarian regime in Latvia in 1934, this autonomy was abolished. In the summer of 1940, Latvia was occupied by the Soviet Union and a year later by Germany. Activists of the Belarusian minority had to adapt to the new political reality. It was decided that confrontation with the new authorities should be avoided at all costs. This was confirmed by sending two memoranda to the Soviet (in 1940) and German (in 1941) occupation authorities. The article analyzes the most important reasons underlying the decision to submit the above - mentioned documents.