Baltic states under Soviet rule (1944–1991)
Imagine you and two of your friends jointly own a toy. One day, a big kid in your class comes and takes your toy away without asking, saying that it now belongs to him. He then tells you and your friends what you can or can’t do with the toy. You all feel really unhappy about this, but you don’t know how to take your toy back.
Now, this is what happened to the Baltic States, which are Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. During the Second World War, these countries had to fight against both Nazi Germany and Soviet Union. After the war, the Soviet Union, which was a very big powerful country, took control of the Baltic States, just like the big kid took control of your toy.
The Soviet Union made new rules for the Baltic States, like what language they had to speak and what jobs they could have. The Soviet Union also sent its soldiers to the Baltic States, built its military bases there, and used the Baltic States’ natural resources.
The people of the Baltic States were very upset about this. They wanted to be free and make their own decisions, just like you want to own and play with your toy. But they were not allowed to do so. Many people in the Baltic States fought against the Soviet Union’s occupation, hoping to regain their independence.
After almost 50 years of being under the Soviet Union’s rule, the Baltic States finally regained their freedom in 1991, just like you and your friends can get back your toy if you keep trying hard enough.
Now, this is what happened to the Baltic States, which are Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. During the Second World War, these countries had to fight against both Nazi Germany and Soviet Union. After the war, the Soviet Union, which was a very big powerful country, took control of the Baltic States, just like the big kid took control of your toy.
The Soviet Union made new rules for the Baltic States, like what language they had to speak and what jobs they could have. The Soviet Union also sent its soldiers to the Baltic States, built its military bases there, and used the Baltic States’ natural resources.
The people of the Baltic States were very upset about this. They wanted to be free and make their own decisions, just like you want to own and play with your toy. But they were not allowed to do so. Many people in the Baltic States fought against the Soviet Union’s occupation, hoping to regain their independence.
After almost 50 years of being under the Soviet Union’s rule, the Baltic States finally regained their freedom in 1991, just like you and your friends can get back your toy if you keep trying hard enough.