1792
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According to
Engelhardt & Neuschäffer
(1983), p.21,
the Society was founded in Riga on 1792, October 18.
But the Society did not have its first meeting until
1796, January 10
(Engelhardt & Neuschäffer
(1983), p.26).
According to
Engelhardt & Neuschäffer
(1983), p.40, the Society moved from Riga to Dorpat [now known as
Tartu, Estonia] in 1813.
Engelhardt & Neuschäffer
(1983), p.145 indicates that in 1918, as a result of the
partition of Livonia into the independent states of Estonia and Latvia,
the Society lost the support of the Latvian settled part of Livonia,
namely the southern part of Livonia.
Engelhardt & Neuschäffer
(1983), p.136 indicates that, with the resettlement of the German
Baltic people into Germany in 1939, the Society was dissolved after 147
years of activity.
It should be noted that this Society had counterparts in two other
contemporary Baltic states, the
Kurländische Ökonomische Gesellschaft (founded 1836)
and the
Estländischer Landwirtschaftlicher Verein (founded 1839).
[See
Hackmann, Jörg.
Voluntary associations and region building. A post-national
perspective on Baltic history.
(Center for European Studies Working Paper Series 105).]
Geographical Remarks on the Baltic States of Livonia, Estonia and
Courland:
These Baltic states underwent considerable change in the past.
We are primarily interested here in the geography of this area from 1792
to World War II.
The information below is largely drawn from the
Encyclopaedia Britannica.
In 1721 Sweden ceded Livonia, all Estonian lands and part of Courland to
Russia.
In 1795 Russia acquired the rest of Courland.
Livonia, also known as Livland (German), Liefland
(German), and Liflandia (Russian):
This area was comprised of the northern part of present-day Latvia and the
southern part of the Estonian lands.
After nearly two centuries of Russian rule, the geographical area known as
Livonia was split around 1918 into two pieces which contributed to the
formation of the
independent states of Latvia and Estonia.
In 1940, Latvia and Estonia were incorporated in to the USSR.
In 1991, Latvia and Estonia became independent states.
Estonia, also known as Estland (German):
Prior to 1918, the term "Estland" applied, strictly speaking,
only to the Estonian lands that were not a part of Livonia.
In 1918, after nearly two centuries of Russian rule,
Estonia was established as an independent state.
Estonia fell under German rule for a few months in 1918.
By early 1919, Estonia became independent.
In 1940, Estonia was forced to join the Soviet Union.
In 1991, Estonia became an independent state.
Courland, also known as Kurland (German), Kurzeme
(Latvian):
This area was comprised of part of present-day Latvia.
Throughout much of the 18th century, Courland was under Russian influence
to some degree or other.
In 1795 it was incorporated into the Russian Enpire.
With the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1918, Courland became part of
the newly created state of Latvia.
In 1940, Latvia was incorporated in to the USSR.
In 1991, Latvia became an independent state.
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