From 1959 to 1962, Latvian national communists were purged from government positions, consolidating the power of Arvīds Pelše, the hardline Communist Party leader. In November 1959, Pelše initiated the removal of nearly 2,000 government officials accused of being "nascent nationalists." This marked a shift towards greater central Soviet control over Latvia, eroding local governance and autonomy.
In 1961, Pelše banned Jāņi, the traditional Latvian midsummer celebration, along with other folk customs, further suppressing national identity.
During this period, industrialization and immigration reshaped the demographic landscape. Between 1959 and 1968, nearly 130,000 Russian speakers moved to Latvia, filling jobs in large industrial factories that were rapidly constructed. The new immigrants were prioritized for housing in newly built micro-districts, which included modern apartment complexes. Many of these factories were overseen by All-Union ministries or military organizations, operating independently from Latvia’s planned economy.
Several key industrial enterprises emerged, such as the Rīgas Vagonbūves Rūpnīca, producing railway carriages, and the Riga Autobus Factory, manufacturing minibuses. Factories like VEF and Radiotehnika became important producers of radios, telephones, and sound systems for the Soviet Union.
In 1962, Russian gas began arriving in Riga, enabling the development of high-rise residential districts. This marked the beginning of large-scale construction projects. The Pļaviņas Hydroelectric Power Station, completed in 1965, became a significant energy source, contributing to the region’s growing infrastructure and industrial needs.