The 1905 Revolution marked a turbulent chapter in Latvian history, reflecting deep-rooted social, economic, and political grievances. Sparked by the wider unrest across the Russian Empire, the revolution in Latvia targeted not only the czarist regime but also the Baltic German nobility, whose dominance in the region had long oppressed Latvian peasants and workers.
Latvia was unique within the Russian Empire, with a highly literate and industrialized population, making it both receptive to leftist ideologies and nationalist aspirations. At the time, Riga was a thriving industrial hub, ranking behind only St. Petersburg and Moscow in terms of industrial workforce, and over 90% of Latvians were literate. While the revolution was spearheaded by left-wing movements like the Latvian Social Democratic Workers’ Party (LSDSP), it also attracted support from peasants and the intelligentsia, unified by resentment toward the feudal system maintained by Baltic German elites, who represented about 7% of the population.
Revolution Unfolds: Urban Protests and Rural Uprisings
The revolution erupted in Latvia following Bloody Sunday in St. Petersburg on January 9, 1905, when Russian troops opened fire on peaceful protesters. The events quickly spilled into Riga, where demonstrators staged a general strike. On January 13, Russian troops killed 73 people and injured 200 during a protest in the city, fueling further unrest.
As the year progressed, the revolutionary wave shifted to rural areas, where peasants—emboldened by the growing unrest—launched uprisings against the Baltic German nobility. By the summer of 1905, 470 parish administrative bodies were elected in 94% of Latvian parishes, signaling a grassroots effort to seize local governance. The Congress of Parish Representatives met in Riga in November, underscoring the growing momentum of the movement.
However, the revolt was not limited to peaceful protests. Revolutionary fighters burned down 449 German manor houses, attacked estates, seized property, and appropriated weapons. Armed Latvian peasants in Vidzeme and Courland established revolutionary councils in towns and controlled key areas like the Rūjiena-Pärnu railway line. In Courland, revolutionary forces surrounded towns, while armed clashes between peasants and German landowners erupted across Latvia, with over 1,000 skirmishes recorded.
Repression and Martial Law
In response to the escalating unrest, the authorities declared martial law in Courland in August 1905 and in Vidzeme by November. The czarist regime launched punitive expeditions, deploying Cossack cavalry units and Baltic German militias to suppress the revolution. These units conducted brutal reprisals, executing over 2,000 people without trial and burning hundreds of homes. Among those executed were local teachers and activists, many targeted for minor acts of defiance rather than direct revolutionary involvement.
In addition, 427 individuals were sentenced to death by court-martial, and 2,652 people were exiled to Siberia. Others fled to Western Europe or the United States, with over 5,000 exiles seeking refuge abroad. Some of the revolutionaries, known as "forest guerrillas," continued their resistance into 1907, launching daring operations such as the Helsinki bank robbery in 1906 and the 1910 Siege of Sidney Street in London.
Legacy and Political Divisions Among Exiles
The 1905 Revolution left lasting scars on Latvia. Many of the exiles—from both the left and right—would later shape the country’s future. Some of these figures, like Kārlis Ulmanis, Jānis Rainis, and Jēkabs Peterss, would find themselves on opposing sides in the struggle for Latvian independence just a decade later. Rainis, the celebrated national poet, would champion social democracy, while Ulmanis would become Latvia’s authoritarian leader. Meanwhile, Jēkabs Peterss would align with the Bolsheviks, playing a leading role in the Soviet Cheka.