See this theme in hall 15
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On 23 August 1939, Germany and the USSR signed an agreement, the so-called Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, whose secret protocols sealed the fate of the Baltic States. Already on 5 October, Latvia was forced to sign a Mutual Assistance Pact with the USSR and a Confidential Protocol on the establishment of Soviet military bases. 25 000 Soviet soldiers were stationed along Latvias western border: in Ezere, Vaiņode, Priekule, Virga, Bunka, Krote, Durbe, Liepāja, Cīrava, Ēdole, Piltene and Ventspils.
On 15 June 1940, the USSR organised provocations on Latvias eastern border, followed by an ultimatum. The Latvian government decided not to put up any opposition. On 17 June, the Red Army crossed the Latvian border. On 14 and 15 July, the USSR organised general elections, which took place under occupation conditions, and voters could vote for only one list of candidates. All political parties apart from the Communist Party were banned. The newly-elected parliament, at its first session on 21 July, declared Latvia a Soviet Socialist Republic and passed a motion to ask the USSR to be able to join the union.
After the declaration of the establishment of the Soviet republic, persecution started of Latvian state officials, business people, military and political figures, as well as intellectuals. Persecution and arrests began with the accusation of anti-Soviet activities. The repression also affected the last government of the Republic of Latvia: President Kārlis Ulmanis and nine of his ministers died in imprisonment.
Implementing secret decision No. 1299-526 of 14 May 1941 On the deportation from the Baltic Republics, Western Ukraine, Western Belarus and Moldavia of socially alien elements, mass arrests and deportations took place on the night of 13/14 June. In the course of this operation, 4202 people in Latvia were arrested and 9992 people of different ages, occupations and ethnic background were deported to the northern regions of the USSR.
On 21 June 1941, the German army crossed the Soviet border, and warfare began in the territory of Latvia.
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