The "Decree No 395" signed by the President of the Republic of Latvia, Karlis Ulmanis, transferring authority to Prime Minister Augusts Kirchenšteins on 21 July 1940, a month and four days after the Red Army had marched into Latvia on 17 June. This decree ended all pretence that Latvia had retained vestiges of an independent state, and on 5 August in Moscow Latvia was festively "accepted" as the 15th republic into the Soviet Union. The Western Allies and other states never recognised the annexation.


The Soviet Union Annexes Latvia

The destruction of the Latvian State was directed by Stalin's emissary Andrey Vyshinsky. He set up a government compliant to Moscow's wishes led by Augusts Kirchenšteins. Soviet propaganda-style demonstrations prepared the elections of the Saeima (parliament) in which only one party was represented, the 'Block of the Working People of Latvia'. The Saeima met on 21 July 1940 and adopted a resolution asking Moscow to 'admit' Latvia to the Soviet Union. According to the Constitution of Latvia such a decision can be reached only through a plebiscite, which did not take place.

On 5 August in Moscow Latvia was festively 'accepted' as the 15th republic into the Soviet Union. The Western Allies and many other states never recognised this annexation.
Map showing the division of Eastern Europe
The Last Decree of Latvian President Karlis Ulmanis
Keys from the Cheka/KGB Building in Riga
A GULAG Face Mask
Territorial Utilisation Plan of Reichskommisariat Ostland
Induction Notice in the "Latvian SS-Volunteer Legion"
Small Latvian Flag from a Refugee Boat
Carbine Used by a Partisan
Surveillance by the KGB
Independence Day Demonstration 1988