The Activities of “Russian Monarchists” in the Documentation of the Latvian Political Police Department (1920–1940): Specific Characteristics of the Source

Abstract

The article briefly presents the activities of Russian anti-Bolshevik organizations in 1920–1940 as reflected in the documentation of the Latvian Political Police Department (Latvian State Historical Archive, Collection 3235). Because of the sizeable Russian ethnic minority and White émigré community (those who settled in Latvia after the Russian Revolution and the ensuing Civil War), a significant anti-Bolshevik movement existed in the Republic of Latvia during the interwar period. In most cases, these organizations were branches of the international anti-Bolshevik movement, led by former officers of the Russian Imperial Army, who had fought against the Bolsheviks during the Civil War. The organizations had different programs and political views, but were united by their main aim: the destruction of the Bolshevik dictatorship and the recovery of Russia. Despite the European character of the Republic of Latvia, these organizations operated in a different way compared to branches in other European countries. In documentation of the Latvian Political Police Department, anti-Bolshevik organizations were viewed and interpreted in a special (often quite subjective) way, due to several local characteristics. These peculiar properties (which need to be taken into account to achieve objectivity) are also examined in the article.