When did the first Russians settle in the territory of Latvia?
The settlement of the territory of Latvia has a history dating back more than 10,000 years.
Between 8500 and 7600 BC, at the end of the Late Paleolithic prehistory period, the first humans entered the territory of Latvia.
Between 4500 and 1500 BC, during the Neolithic prehistory period, archaeological studies have identified inhabitants belonging to ethnic groups – Finno-Ugric and Baltic – in the territory of Latvia.
Between 1500 and 1000 BC, during the Bronze Age, people inhabited almost the entire territory of Latvia.
At the beginning of our era (1st – 4th centuries AD), during the early Iron Age, the contact zone between the Finno-Ugric and Baltic peoples remained largely unchanged. The territories of the Curonians, Semigallians, Selonians, and Latgalians began to take shape. In Kurzeme, the Finno-Ugric tribes encountered the Curonians and Semigallians, while in Vidzeme, they encountered the Semigallians living in the northern part of Vidzeme and the Latgalians in the east.
Between the 4th and 8th centuries AD, during the Middle Iron Age, changes occurred in both Finno-Ugric and Baltic inhabited lands. In Eastern Latvia, from the 7th to the 8th centuries, the activity of the Latgalians intensified, and they settled in the Finno-Ugric territories of Northern Latvia. In Kurzeme, from the 9th century, there was an increase in the movement of the Curonians northward – the ethnic groups of the Finno-Ugric peoples were pushed out of their earlier settlements, and the assimilation of the Finno-Ugric peoples took place.
As neighbors, the Balts, Livonians, and Russians often had mutual contacts for both peaceful and violent purposes. However, in this article, NeoGeo.lv will tell about how a significant number of Russians arrived in the territory of Latvia for settlement for the first time.
“When did the first Russians settle in Latvian territory?
“The Russian Quarter” in Riga
The Baltic tribes (Latgalians and Selonians) in the east bordered with the Slavic tribes (Kriviči). There existed both trade and military conflicts between the Balts and Slavs.
Already in the 11th and 12th centuries, the ancient Russian principalities became involved in the struggle for influence in Eastern Baltic.
In the early 13th century, the crusaders gradually subjugated the Baltic and Liv tribes living in the territory of Latvia for almost 100 years. Riga was founded, which for centuries became the trading metropolis of the entire Baltic region. Trade connections with the eastern Russian lands continued uninterrupted and were facilitated.
In 1229, a treaty was concluded between Riga and the principality of Smolensk, which stipulated that Russian merchants had the right to establish their settlements and churches in Riga. Thus, the “Russian settlement” was established in Riga, which existed until the beginning of the Livonian War (mid-16th century).
The Russian merchant settlement was located on modern Aldaru Street (formerly Krievu Street), where house No. 11 has been preserved from it. This settlement and community of Russian merchants in Riga can be considered as the first significant (several hundred people) and long-lasting (more than 300 years) case of settlement in the territory of Latvia.
For several centuries, the “Russian settlement” strengthened and expanded. Russian cemeteries were established, St. Nicholas Church and a hospital were built. The Germans referred to the Russian traders’ settlement as “das Russische Dorf,” meaning the Russian village. By the late 15th century, it expanded into the area between the present-day streets of Trokšņu, Smilšu, and Aldaru.
The devastating consequences of the Livonian War (1558-1575) disrupted the peaceful trading rhythm in the “Russian settlement.” However, the Russians remained in Riga.
The Old Believers in Latgale and the Duchy of Courland
From 1650 to 1660, a church reform known as the Patriarch Nikon’s reforms took place in Russia, causing dissatisfaction among some Orthodox believers. Opponents of the church reforms continued to adhere to the previous church canons and rituals, and they referred to themselves as Old Believers (Russian: старообрядцы). The Old Believers split into several branches, including the Bezpopovtsy, Netovtsy, andaronovtsy (Russian: безпоповцы, нетовцы, ароновцы).
In the second half of the 17th century, Old Believers dissatisfied with the church reform began to migrate from Russia to the territory of Latvia (specifically Latgale). At that time, Latgale was under Polish rule. Polish authorities did not oppose the entry of Old Believers into the Latgale territory and even facilitated it. For example, after their arrival, Old Believers, most of whom were peasants, were given three years without taxes or duties.
The main settlement areas for Old Believers in Latgale were in the districts of Daugavpils, Rēzekne, Ludza, and Ilūkste.
The economic benefits offered to Old Believer refugees also gained wide support in the neighboring Russian and Belarusian lands under Polish administration. Some Russian and Belarusian peasants from these areas also settled permanently in Latgale.
The Polish landlords did not object to this, as they were interested in replenishing the land with new labor due to wars and epidemics.
Similarly, Duke Jacob of Courland allowed Russian Old Believers and other Russian immigrants to settle in the Duchy of Courland. They were permitted to settle in the vicinity of Jēkabpils.
At the end of the 18th century (1721 – Vidzeme and Riga, 1772 – Latgale, 1795 – Kurzeme), the entire territory of Latvia came under the control of the Russian Empire, and officials, traders, military personnel, clergy, artisans, and workers began to arrive from Russia…
Russians became a significant part of Latvian society.
