Latvia’s Involvement in World War I

Latvia was part of the Russian Empire in 1914. Key stages:

1. Mobilization: ~200,000 ethnic Latvians conscripted into the Russian Army.
2. German Occupation (1915): Courland and later Riga fell to Germany; Latvian Riflemen fought on both sides.
3. 1917 Revolutions: Bolshevik takeover; Latvian Riflemen pivotal in early Soviet power.
4. Independence: Republic of Latvia proclaimed 18 Nov 1918; recognized 1921; League of Nations member 1922.

WWI catalyzed Latvian national consciousness and statehood.