Ultimate freedom - no choice: the culture of authoritarianism in Latvia from 1934-1940

The Republic of Latvia is a fascinating mirror of the development of European democratic culture and reflects both the rise of democracy in Eastern Europe after the end of World War I and its deterioration into authoritarianism in the early 1930s. The regime, which lasted for only six years (1934-1940), was shaped by the controversial figure of Prime Minister and Leader of the People (Vadonis) Karlis Ulmanis. This new, archive-based study illustrates the development of authoritarianism in the region, shows controversies and similarities and places the regime's leader in the international context of European authoritarian culture. The book shows how mass culture and technologies, ancient drama and European modernism were combined to reinforce the idea of legitimacy of a new non-democratic regime. Chapter one. The beginning : how was the coup presented back then? Inter-war Latvia : prehistory of the coup, its context Why the coup is not a coup, but salvation? Ulmanis in foreign media : the Times Chapter two. Genesis of a political myth : an official turns into Vadonis Chapter three. Staging Atdzimšanas Dziesma : technologies of authoritarianism cultural policy How does one stage the principle of authoritarianism? staging of a mass performance as a political program "Atdzimšanas Dziesma will invite every Latvian to serve his nation and country by obeying Vadonis" : what is the staging going to say? "Atdzimšanas Dziesma depicts the fate of the Latvian people : staging as a liturgy of authoritarianism, Vadonis as a priest and actor Chapter four. "Another land" : Latgale region in the discourse of Ulmanis' authoritarian regime on the unity of the nation Political performance as a staging of unanimity ^ Latgale : the symbolic stepchild and bride Latgalians and ethnic unity Latgalians and ethnic diversity : the other in the new political culture Answers of Latgale's media The education law and the technology of the melting pot Daugavpils Vienības Nams : a building as a political message Chapter five. The leader, the enemy, war and celebration : authoritarianism practices compared : Stalin and Ulmanis in Latvia's authoritarian culture USSR the land of workers and violence : a dual perception Cultural practices of European dictatorships in the 30s Stalin and Ulmanis : a functional comparison of leaders The enemy : communism and the war of civilizations Moscow trials the globalized political show of the 30s Chapter six. Date and place : a celebration of authoritarianism in Rēzekne and Riga "The harvest booster" : K. Ulmanis as a hero of cyclical time in Svēta Zeme spectacle ^ 18 November as a continuation of 15 May : the course of celebration on 18 November 1938 Chapter seven. "New Riga" : the city as an instrument of authoritarian ideology Aesthetization of Ulmanis' ideology : key tendencies and international context Ulman Riga The Uzvaras laukums : a spatial self-reference Chapter eight. Authoritarianism and the Church : attempts to develop Latvian Christianity in 1920s and 1930s The relationship policy between the Church and the state under Ulmanis' regime The Church : in supranational content and national form Ideas expressed by the radical wing of Latvianizers of the Church Conclusion. Introduction Chapter 1: The Beginning: How Was The Coup Presented Back Then? Inter-war Latvia – pre-history of the Coup, its context Why the Coup is Not a Coup, but Salvation? Ulmanis in Foreign Media: The Times Chapter 2: Genesis of a Political Myth – an Official Turns into Vadonis Chapter 3: Staging Atdzimšanas Dziesma – Technologies of Authoritarianism Cultural Policy How to Stage the Principle of Authoritarianism? Staging of a Mass Performance as a Political Program “Atdzimšanas Dziesma will invite every Latvian to serve his nation and country by obeying Vadonis.” What is the Staging Going to Say? “Atdzimšanas Dziesma depicts the fate of the Latvian people” Staging as a Liturgy of Authoritarianism. Vadonis as a Priest and Actor Chapter 4: “Another Land”: Latgale Region in the Discourse of Ulmanis’ Authoritarian Regime on the Unity of the Nation Political Performance as a Staging of Unanimity Latgale: The Symbolic Stepchild and Bride Latgalians and Ethnic Unity Latgalians and Ethnic Diversity – The Other in the New Political Culture Answers of Latgale’s Media Education Law and Technology of the Melting Pot Daugavpils Vienības Nams – An Edifice as a Political Message Chapter 5: The Leader, the Enemy, War and Celebration – Authoritarianism Practices Compared: Stalin and Ulmanis in Latvia’s Authoritarian Culture USSR – The Land of Workers and Violence. Dual Perception Cultural Practices of European Dictatorships in the 30ies Stalin and Ulmanis: A Functional Comparison of Leaders The Enemy: Communism and A War of Civilizations Moscow Trials – the Globalized Political Show of the 30ies Chapter 6: Date and Place: Celebration of Authoritarianism in Rēzekne and Riga “The Harvest Booster” – K. Ulmanis as A Hero of Cyclical Times in “Svēta Zeme” Spectacle 18 November as a Continuation of 15 May. The Course of Celebration on 18 November 1938 Chapter 7: “New Riga”: The City as an Instrument of Authoritarian Ideology Aesthetization of Ulmanis’ Ideology: Key Tendencies and International Context Ulman Riga The Uzvaras laukums – a Spatial Self-Reference Chapter 8: Authoritarianism and the Church: Attempts to Develop Latvian Christianity in 1920ies and 1930ies The Relationship Policy between the Church and the State under Ulmanis’ Regime The Church – in Supranational Content and National Form Ideas Expressed by the Radical Wing of Latvianizers of the Church Conclusion List of Literature Index Reflecting on the origins and ideological formulas of the European authoritarian regimes in the interwar period, this book provides a deep and fascinating insight into the regional particularities of the authoritarian regime of Karlis Ulmanis in 1930s Latvia.