The power of the Baltic Way

The Baltic Way section at the 10th kilometer of Cēsis-Valmiera road. Photo source: Europeana 1989 / wikimedia

On August 23rd 1939 the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, officially the “Treaty of Non-Aggression” between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, was signed by German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop and Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov in Moscow. In addition to the official pact, which claimed non-aggression between the two states, there were secret protocols that partitioned or managed the sovereignty of the states in Central and Eastern Europe, namely: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Romania.

Unofficially, the treaty has also been referred to as the Hitler–Stalin Pact and the Nazi–Soviet Pact. The treaty was the culmination of negotiations for an economic agreement between the USSR and Nazi Germany which the Soviets used to also obtain a political agreement. The pact not only paved the way for the German invasion of Poland, which marked the beginning of the Second World War, but for the Baltic states and countries of the region, this date also marked the beginning of negative foreign influence – starting first with the Third Reich and later the Soviet Union, which ended only in 1989/90.

Further development

The Hitler-Stalin Pact of 1939 marked a turning point in the history of Central and Eastern Europe. This non-aggression agreement between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union divided the region into spheres of influence, paving the way for Soviet domination. However, the pact’s significance was short-lived. In June 1941, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, a massive invasion of the Soviet Union. This brutal attack marked the beginning of the largest and costliest land battle in history, involving millions of soldiers and resulting in millions of casualties. The invasion shattered the fragile peace established by the Hitler-Stalin Pact and plunged the region into further turmoil.

Under the dual influence of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, led by Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin, the nations of Central and Eastern Europe missed their chance to develop into democratic states and foster cooperation with the West. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that societies began to demand more freedom and democracy and an escape from this influence. In the Baltic states it began with the Baltic Way which started with annual regional events such as the song festivals in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius, later turning into a movement which brought back democracy to the countries.

The Baltic Way on the Riga-Bauska highway near Kekava. Photo: Europeana 1989 / Wikimedia Commons

The Baltic Way: August 23rd 1989

To overcome 50 years of autocratic rule, the Baltic states initiated a significant regional movement. On the morning of August 23rd 1989, citizens of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were awakened by the ringing of local church bells. This led to the creation of a human chain, known as the Baltic Way, where two million people joined hands, forming a continuous line from Tallinn, near the Soviet border, to Vilnius, near the democratic West.

The uniqueness of the Baltic Way lay in its symbolic path between two autocratic regimes: the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. Although the dictatorship of Nazi Germany ended after the Second World War, Soviet influence persisted, which restricted the democratic and economic development of the region, leaving these countries dependent on the Soviet Union.

The movement for regime change in the region had other early sparks. On August 31st 1980, Polish shipyard workers in Gdańsk, led by former electrician Lech Wałęsa, won concessions from the communist government, leading to the creation of Solidarność (Solidarity), the first independent labour union in a Soviet bloc nation. This marked the beginning of Poland’s leadership in the struggle for independence from Soviet influence in Central Europe. Other important milestones included the Pan-European Picnic on August 19th 1989, in Sopron, Hungary, where citizens of East Germany crossed into democratic West Germany, signalling a major breach in the Iron Curtain.

In this context, the Baltic Way became a pivotal initiative, promoting democracy and European integration in Central Europe. The eventual independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania became inevitable when the Soviet Union dissolved on December 26th 1991. This dissolution marked the end of the USSR’s government and Mikhail Gorbachev’s efforts to reform the Soviet political and economic system, ultimately paving the way for the Baltic states to achieve full sovereignty.

The Baltic Way was a pivotal moment in the history of the Baltic states, symbolizing their desire for independence from the Soviet Union. This historic event, organized by pro-independence movements – Rahvarinne in Estonia, the Tautas fronte in Latvia, and Sąjūdis of Lithuania – united millions of people in a peaceful demonstration of solidarity. By forming a human chain stretching across the three countries, they drew global attention to their cause and showcased their commitment to democracy and European integration.

The Baltic Way not only served as a powerful statement of political intent but also as a moral imperative. It exposed the injustices of Soviet rule and positioned the question of Baltic independence as a matter of fundamental human rights. Despite the Soviet authorities’ attempts to suppress the event, it proved to be a turning point.

The Baltic Way’s impact extended well beyond the Baltic states. It inspired similar pro-democracy movements across Central and Eastern Europe, contributing to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. While other countries in the region also played crucial roles in these events, the Baltic Way stands out as a unique example of peaceful resistance against a totalitarian regime. As one of the earliest and longest unbroken human chains in history, it remains a symbol of hope and perseverance.

Photo of the Baltic Way near Širvintos, Lithuania. Source: Europeana 1989 / Wikimedia Commons

Continuing to celebrate the Baltic Way

On March 11th 1990, just seven months after the Baltic Way, Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare independence. By the end of 1991, the independence of all three Baltic states – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – was recognized by most western countries. The Baltic Way protest remains one of the longest unbroken human chains in history.

Estonia’s path to independence gained momentum on November 16th 1988, when the Supreme Soviet of Estonia issued the Estonian Sovereignty Declaration. The broader movement for independence, known as the Singing Revolution, spanned over four years, with protests and acts of defiance against decades of domination by the dictatorial regimes of both Hitler and Stalin. The Baltic Way itself was organized by three key groups: the Heritage Society, the Popular Front and the National Independence Party.

Despite the regional importance of the Baltic Way, it is primarily celebrated locally, with limited international recognition. This is due to two main reasons. First, the focus on democratic regime change in Central and Eastern Europe has often been overshadowed by other pivotal events, such as Poland’s leadership in breaking away from Soviet influence and the ongoing challenges Ukraine faces as a victim of Russian aggression, in violation of international law, resulting in millions of casualties. Second, the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9th 1989, garnered significant global attention, eclipsing the impact of the Baltic Way. German reunification became the dominant narrative, but the Baltic Way remained a critical milestone in the path to democracy and European integration for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. All three countries eventually joined NATO and later the European Union, symbolizing their successful transition to democratic governance and regional development. Despite facing Russian hybrid threats, the Baltic states have so far avoided direct military aggression from Russia.

A contemporary symbol of this 35-year journey is former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. Kallas, who studied in Narva, a city bordering Russia, has been a strong advocate for European integration. Her firm stance against Russia has made her a target of Russian disinformation, especially as she is poised to become the EU’s next foreign policy chief. Kallas’s career exemplifies Estonia’s commitment to its western trajectory despite the ongoing challenges posed by its proximity to Russia.

Baltic Way participants on the Vilnius-Ukmergė motorway (Molėtai Region, Lithuania) Source: Wikimedia Commons / https://ltmkm.lt/revoliucija/exhibitions/1989/ 

The Baltic Way remains a powerful symbol of peace, cooperation and European integration. Since its inception in 1989 it has continued to inspire people across the continent. Its mission of fostering unity and understanding is as relevant today as it was then.

While the Baltic Way initially focused on regional issues, its impact has extended far beyond the Baltic states. It serves as a model for peaceful protest and international cooperation. In recent years, the Baltic countries have played a crucial role in welcoming refugees from the war in Ukraine, demonstrating their commitment to humanitarian values. However, the challenges faced by these countries and others in Europe highlight the importance of ongoing efforts to promote peace and integration.

The Baltic Way’s bottom-up approach can provide valuable lessons for addressing current global issues. In this regard the Baltic Way is a signpost for the impact of the European Union regarding its international impact and the institutional development of the Union as well. The appointment of former Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas, someone with personal memories of the Baltic Way, as High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, shows how the drive to build peace and cooperation in the current situation can in part be traced back to this act of bravery and mobilization. Working together, we can overcome divisions and build a more just and peaceful future.

Dr. Iris Kempe is a non-resident fellow of the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies. She was previously a senior advisor at the Council of the Baltic Sea States and regional director at the Heinrich-Böll-Foundation South Caucasus.

1989, Baltic states, Baltic way, Fall of USSR