The strength of the three Baltic countries is not strong, why can they take the lead in independence from the Soviet Union?

Baltic countries refer to Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. These three countries were annexed by Russia for nearly a hundred years. Although independence was short after World War I, it quickly embarked on the socialist road and joined the Soviet Union, becoming one of the countries that joined the Soviet Union.

In terms of strength, these three countries are not strong, just small countries. Even when it comes to history, only Lithuania has ever been brilliant.

But when the Soviet Union was about to disintegrate, these three countries took the lead in unilaterally declaring their independence from the Soviet Union. Why?

Some people say that this is because the three countries joined the Soviet Union too late, and there are many grievances in history. If so, there are many countries in this category, not just the three Baltic countries.

But this is indeed one of the reasons. All three Baltic countries were ruthlessly annexed in the wave of Russian expansion. However, regardless of the size of the country, in the historical process, it has already formed its own national characteristics, and there is a big gap with Russia in language, culture and religion.

So in fact, the three Baltic countries, including other invaded countries, have a low sense of identity with the Soviet Union.

Moreover, both Russia and the Soviet era have always adhered to "Greater Russia". The strongest national sentiment is the Baltic countries, which have no good feelings for Russians and have always opposed Russian immigrants.

In 1950s and 1960s, small-scale public events such as anti-Soviet graffiti or the use of national color signs in the three Baltic countries were common occurrences.

It can be said that the voices of the three Baltic countries against the Soviet Union have always run through this era.

In addition to the centrifugal force caused by ethnic and religious differences, there is also a key factor, that is, the economy.

The three Baltic countries are not large in territory, but compared with Central Asia and other places, their economic advantages are obvious. A large part of this is due to historical factors.

The three countries belong to Europe and are naturally greatly influenced by Europe. Especially since modern times, the increasingly developed economy will certainly spread to the three Baltic countries.

After being merged into the Soviet Union, influenced by Soviet policies and "leveling" among participating countries, the three countries gradually developed slowly, and the gap with European countries became wider and wider. However, even so, in the Soviet Union, the economy is still ok, and the Soviet government often even asks it to help others join * * *.

In the 1980s, the Soviet Union was in trouble, and the lives of ordinary people became more and more difficult. In this case, the nationalist forces have awakened.

Gorbachev's reform, without any change, has further mired the Soviet Union. This gives the Baltic countries a chance.

The "human chain" composed of 2 million people in the three Baltic countries shocked the world at that time. The subsequent step-by-step concession of the Soviet government made the three Baltic countries more and more centrifugal and bravely took the first step.

As a result, Pandora's box was opened and all participating countries followed suit. Even many autonomous countries in Russia demand independence.

In this process, the Soviet Union felt powerless and could only move towards disintegration.