Last modified: 2004-07-31 by dov gutterman
Keywords: latvia | courland | kurshi | kurzeme | vidzeme | latgale | pilten |
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Courland is geographicaly 1/5 of Latvia, politicaly was 1/3 of
Latvia .Curonia (latin) comes from Kurshi tribes settled in
modern western Latvia and western Lithuania (see Kursiu nerija in
Lithuania). Mostly all german ascent population are colonists
from Brandenburg and Lower Germany. Knights (Swordbrothers -
later Livonian ordem - was a warriors ordem and keep only
military and church power). Theutonic state ends (IIRC) in 15
century. After them there was many independent and
quasiindependent states, greatest was Duchie of Courland
(16-18cc) and Pilten Bishopy.. Real power of germans (baltic
germans) ends only after revolution in 1905 and landreform in
1922
Courland as name never expieres. Duchie of Courland after
incorporation in Russian Empire was renamer in Courlands
Gouvernorate (Kurljandskaja Gubernija).
During WWI ,Germany planed a protectorate over the Baltic between
1917 (Russia's withdrawal from the war) and 1918 (German
defeat).This project was never realised (was not accepted by
German kaiser). More realistic was "Ostland project" -
creating of german state in base of former Courland, Livland and
Estland gouvernorates.In pre-WWII Latvia (also in modern Latvia).
Courland was one of constitutional parts of Latvia (Kurzeme,
Vidzeme, Latgale - three stars in Latvian CoA).
Gvido Petersons, 29 June 1999