After the collapse of the Polish state in late 1939 a new political order was established that would change the face of eastern Europe forever. The resettlement of the Baltic-Germans from Estonia and Latvia was one element in this irreversible change and took place just six weeks after the signing of the German-Soviet Treaty of Friendship. Plans were revealed by Adolf Hitler in his Reichstag’s speech on the 6th of October 1939. Already on the following day his announcement was published by Rigasche Rundschau, the biggest interwar period German newspaper of Latvia. The call for repatriation marks the beginning of German resettlement actions in the Baltics. Rigasche Rundschau was first published in 1894 in the Russian Empire and was closed after most of its readers left Latvia. Until its end, the newspaper was considered as reliable, read by German minorities all across Europe. Rigasche Rundschau printed its last issue on the 13th of December 1939.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the Rigasche Rundschau and the historical context of 1939
2. Nazi propaganda and the narrative of Volksdeutsche
3. The reporting on the resettlement in October 1939
3.1 Personal accounts of the displacement
4. Implementation and consequences for resettlers and the Polish population
5. The legacy and final assessment of the newspaper's role
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines how the major interwar German-language newspaper in Latvia, Rigasche Rundschau, portrayed the resettlement of Baltic Germans in October 1939, analyzing the extent to which the publication served as a vehicle for Nazi propaganda and the political instrumentalization of ethnic minorities.
- The role of Rigasche Rundschau as a propaganda platform
- The Nazi narrative of "repatriation" vs. the reality of forced displacement
- Impact on Baltic German individuals and the loss of historical homelands
- Consequences of resettlement for the local populations in occupied Poland
- The instrumentalization of ethnic Germans as "Volksgenossen"
Excerpt from the book
Claus von Aderkas: “The Resettlement: a Personal Report”
“I was 20 years old then — [...] suddenly, in a speech by Adolf Hitler on 6th October 1939 we heard: [...] “a new order of ethnographical conditions, i.e., a resettlement of nationalities, with the result that at the end of the development there will be clearer dividing line as is the case today. Because the East and Southeast of Europe is partially filled with non-defendable splinters of Germanness.” As early as 8th October, the plans for resettlement were made public in the newspapers all over Latvia. In Estonia they were published on 9th October. Both the governments of Latvia and Estonia supported the plans for resettlement. The decision to resettle had not been taken freely. It may have saved our lives, but if we look back now, the price was high. It all happened so quickly that there was no time for further, in depth considerations. There was not much time to think.”
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction to the Rigasche Rundschau and the historical context of 1939: This chapter introduces the newspaper's historical background and explains the geopolitical shifts in Eastern Europe following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.
2. Nazi propaganda and the narrative of Volksdeutsche: The section details how the German government utilized propaganda to manipulate ethnic Germans abroad, framing their forced migration as a voluntary homecoming.
3. The reporting on the resettlement in October 1939: This chapter analyzes the specific rhetoric used by the Rigasche Rundschau to justify the repatriation and presents conflicting personal narratives of those affected.
4. Implementation and consequences for resettlers and the Polish population: The analysis shifts to the practical execution of the resettlement, covering racial profiling and the displacement of Poles to accommodate new arrivals.
5. The legacy and final assessment of the newspaper's role: The concluding chapter evaluates the newspaper's complicity in Nazi policy and the total loss of the Baltic German cultural existence in Latvia.
Keywords
Rigasche Rundschau, Baltic Germans, Resettlement, Repatriation, Nazi Propaganda, Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, Volksdeutsche, Ethnic cleansing, World War II, Latvia, Historical mission, Forced migration, Racial profiling, Lebensraum, Paul Schiemann.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The work investigates the role of the newspaper Rigasche Rundschau in legitimizing and promoting the Nazi-orchestrated resettlement of Baltic Germans from Latvia in 1939.
What are the central themes of the document?
Key themes include political propaganda, the instrumentalization of ethnic minorities, the impact of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, and the forced displacement of populations during World War II.
What is the core objective of the study?
The objective is to reveal how the newspaper transitioned into a mouthpiece for Nazi policy and how this shift contributed to the destruction of the Baltic German community.
Which methodology is employed in this paper?
The paper utilizes historical document analysis, evaluating newspaper articles, personal accounts, and historical context to contrast propaganda narratives with individual experiences.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the propaganda strategies of the Third Reich, the implementation of resettlement, the treatment of displaced people, and the final dissolution of the newspaper.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Essential keywords include Rigasche Rundschau, Baltic Germans, Resettlement, Repatriation, Nazi Propaganda, and Volksdeutsche.
How was the "repatriation" portrayed versus the reality?
The newspaper portrayed it as a voluntary, historic, and patriotic mission, whereas personal accounts, such as those from Claus von Aderkas, show that the decision was pressured and coerced.
What happened to the Baltic Germans after they reached the Reich?
Upon arrival, they were subjected to racial profiling, categorized into groups like "Ost-Falle" or "Altreich," and often treated as second- or third-class citizens.
What was the role of the Latvian Telegraph Agency?
The agency published statements in the Rigasche Rundschau that attempted to present the resettlement as a peaceful, voluntary solution to the European minority question.
Why did the Rigasche Rundschau ultimately cease publication?
The newspaper had to close in December 1939 because its readers, the Baltic German population, were systematically removed from Latvia as part of the resettlement plan.
- Quote paper
- Peter Mons (Author), 2021, How Rigasche Rundschau portrayed the Baltic-German resettlement in October 1939, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/986049
