Baltijos šalių reakcija į pirmuosius nacionalsocialistų valdžios veiksmus Vokietijoje 1933 metais: nežinomas baltijiečių priešiškumas naciams

LTStraipsnyje mėginama tikrinti Vakarų visuomenėje ir iš dalies istoriografijoje išplitusią tezę apie išskirtinį Baltijos šalių palankumą naciams ir jų įtakos sklaidai. Tyrimo metu aptiktas šiai tezei priešingas reiškinys, būtent: išskirtinis tų šalių nepalankumas nacionalsocialistams, pirmiesiems jų valdžios veiksmams Vokietijoje. Išaiškinamas ir vertinamas Latvijoje kilęs organizuotas Vokietijos prekių boikotas kaip protesto forma prieš nacių represijas. Vokietija dėl to uždraudė Latvijos sviesto importą. Šios abiejų šalių ekonominės sankcijos tebuvo trumpalaikės. Estija irgi ribojo nacių įtakos didėjimą, joje kilęs vapsų sąjūdis nebuvo fašistinis, trūksta įrodymų dėl jų ryšių su naciais. Nacistiškai Latvijoje ir Estijoje buvo nusiteikę ne latviai ir estai, o Baltijos vokiečiai, nors būta ir išimčių. Straipsnis parengtas įgyvendinant mokslo projektą „Baltijos šalys tarp Trečiojo Reicho ir Trečiosios Romos“, vykdomą pagal Lietuvos mokslo tarybos Nacionalinės lituanistikos plėtros 2009-2015 metų programą, finansavimo sutartis Nr. LlT-8-79. [Iš leidinio]Reikšminiai žodžiai: Baltijos šalys (Baltic states); Latvija (Latvia); Estija (Estonia); Vokietija (Germany); Boikotas; Diplomatija; Naciai; Vapsai; Fašizmas; Baltic States; Latvia; Germany; Boycott; Diplomacy; Nazi; Vaps; Fascism.

ENThe present article is devoted to a discussion of the reaction by the Baltic States, primarily Latvia and Estonia, toward the Nazis’ ascent to power in Germany in 1933, the initial repression of democratic forces and the beginning of the systemic persecution of the country’s Jewish population. It has been widely recognised that the most spontaneous and appropriate reaction toward Nazi repression was that of Latvia, where an unfavourable attitude toward German revanchism had been manifest for quite some time prior to 1933. Latvians, as well as Estonians, were worried that German expatriates from the Baltic States, even those who had fought against the independence of these states in 1919-1920, were active among the Nazis. After Hitler became leader of Germany, local Nazi organisations, supported by Berlin, intensified their activities inside both Latvia and Estonia. Under the circumstances, as early as March 17, 1933, the Latvian government authorized the expulsion of all “Nazi foreigners” opposing the democratic state of Latvia, as well as the closure of their organisations and press. After the repression of German Jews intensified, a wave of apprehension swept over Latvia, and an embargo of German goods was announced on June 1. In response, Germany banned the import of Latvian butter. It was a painful measure for Latvia as butter was its main export commodity and Germany its largest export market. On June 15, the Latvian government ended the boycott of German goods and Germany, in turn, lifted its embargo on Latvian butter.Estonia’s reaction toward the antidemocratic measures and repressive policies of the Nazis was more restrained than that of Latvia, and the country did not introduce a boycott of German goods although fascist organisations and their press were banned in Estonia as well. No reliable data, however, has been found to confirm with certainty an assumption that an organisation of participants in Estonia’s war for independence, the popularly known as the Vapsid (Vaps Movement), was a pro-fascist, or even fascist, organisation that was in contact with and even financially supported by the German Nazis. A more detailed analysis of sources shows that the so-called fascistization of the Baltic States and the growth of the influence of Nazi Germany in these countries is a myth that has distorted reality. On the contrary, these countries showed a highly sensitive and hostile reaction toward the domestic and foreign policies of the Third Reich. However, the anti-Nazi position of the Baltic States received no international support from other countries which were more indulgent of the Nazis and subsequently subsided. [From the publication]