Latvia's first foreign minister, who won international recognition for its independence
A bank clerk trained at the Riga Polytechnic, he was sent to London in 1918 as the representative of the Latvian Provisional National Council and on 11 November obtained de facto recognition from the British foreign secretary Balfour. After the proclamation of independence he became the first foreign minister, sought Allied support at the Paris Peace Conference and worked the Allied missions to secure the withdrawal of the German Freikorps and Bermondt's troops. The Treaty of Riga with Soviet Russia in August 1920, de jure recognition by the Allies in January 1921 and admission to the League of Nations that September were the results of his diplomacy. He was also prime minister from 1921 to 1923 and promoted cooperation among the Baltic states, Finland and Poland. He died in a road accident in August 1925 at the age of thirty-eight.
Related historical events
- 1918–1922The Civil War and Foreign InterventionDiplomat securing recognition for independent LatviaLatvia’s first foreign minister, he sought Allied support and international recognition during the independence war. He later served as prime minister and died in a traffic accident in 1925.
- 1918.11–1920.10Baltic wars of independence and border settlementsDiplomat securing recognition for independent LatviaAs first foreign minister he worked the Allied missions to secure the German withdrawal and obtained the Riga peace of August 1920 and de jure recognition from the Allies in 1921.
Revolution and independence wars
Latvia’s first foreign minister, he sought Allied support and international recognition during the independence war. He later served as prime minister and died in a traffic accident in 1925.