History / October 13, 1917 – foundation of Latvian Provisional National Council (LPNC)

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October 13, 1917 – foundation of Latvian Provisional National Council (LPNC)

25.08.2008

The idea of an independent Latvia could materialize as a result of the consequences of World War I, when empires collapsed and a number of new, independent countries emerged (Finland, Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Caucasus countries, Estonia, Lithuania), on November 18, 1918, also Latvia among them. However, real action to achieve the proclamation of Latvia's independence were taken already before 1918 - one year earlier, on October 13, 1917, Latvian Provisional National Council (LPNC) was founded in Petrograd (currently - St. Petersburg).

During World War I, in 1917, German troops had occupied Kurzeme Province in western Latvia, River Daugava marked the front line between the German and Russian-occupied territories of the present land of Latvia. The February Revolution in Russia was followed by announcement of economic and political freedom in the Russia-controlled provinces, Latvians took advantage of this situation and formed new political organizations; Latvian political parties became increasingly more active. Local governments in Vidzeme, Kurzeme and Latgale Provinces were elected. On August 12, 1917, Latvian civic organizations gathered in a conference and demanded Latvian autonomy, while remaining part of Russia. The demand did not gain support from the Russian Provisional Government at that time, however, it was the beginning for the idea about complete separation of Latvia from Russia.

Meanwhile, by September 1917 German forces had already captured Riga. In German-occupied Riga Latvian parties, including also the Social democrats and the Farmers Union, joined together in a coalition - the "Democratic Bloc", whereas at the beginning of December in Valka (Northern Latvia), Latvian organizations had finished forming the Latvian Provisional National Council (LPNC), which at that point became the most extensive representative institution of the Latvian people. At the session on January 30, 1918, the LPNC decided to establish the sovereign and democratic Latvia, which would encompass all Latvian-inhabited regions.

Lawyer Voldemārs Zamuels was elected as LPNC board chairman, Kārlis Pauļuks, Jānis Rubulis and Jānis Palcmanis were chosen as his deputies. Kristaps Bahmanis was elected secretary of LNPC, Jānis Akuraters and Kārlis Skalbe - fellow secretaries. LNPD formed eight departments with the headquarters in Valka, the LNDP Foreign Affairs canter was founded in Petrograd. A delegation, constituted by Zigfrīds Meierovics, Jānis Čakste and Jānis Kreibergs was elected to represent LNDP abroad.

Initially LNDP was working in tough conditions, as the Bolsheviks, who were the ruling party at the time, had a negative attitude towards the national organization. On January 1, 1918 the executive committee of the Soviet Latvian Workers, Soldiers and Landless Peasants Council (Iskolat) imposed a ban of the activity of LNDP, however, Chairman of the Iskolat Fricis Roziņš delayed the execution of this decision, and thus LNDP continued its work.

November 11, 1918, Germany was compelled to sign the Compiègne armistice with the allies and this gave the opportunity for declaration of an independent Republic of Latvia. Initially, LNDP and the Democratic Bloc could not agree on the political system to be chosen for the new country - the Social democrats insisted on forming a socialist regime, which was not acceptable to other parties. However, after long debate, on November 17, 1918, LNDP and the Democratic Bloc agreed to jointly form a provisional parliament, the Latvian People's Council (LPC), which resolved to establish an independent and democratic republic. On the following day, on November 18, 1918, based on the previous day's resolutions, the independent Republic of Latvia was proclaimed.

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