The Soviet Occupation of the Baltics After World War II

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Throughout the history of warfare, great powers have dealt with counterinsurgencies and occupations. From Sun Tzu, Napoleon against the Spanish, the Americans against the Vietnamese, and the Soviets versus the Afghans, the difficulties of unsuccessful occupations have been well documented. These occupations share some common themes, including inhospitable terrain, failure to gain popular support among the local population, and simply being outlasted by their foes. What is less well documented, especially in the 20th century, are instances of successful occupations. Occupations, such as those by the British in Africa and Ireland, the French in Algeria, and the Nazis in occupied Europe achieved some level of short-term success, but failed in their efforts to achieve any long term political objective. There is, however, at least one instance of a superpower in the 20th century conducting a successful occupation that resulted in a half century of stability. For the Baltic nations of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, World War II and its aftermath were devastating. These three Baltic States suffered three invasions and occupations by the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany over a span of a mere four years.