A century after the 1914 catastrophe, Mark Hatlie's work explores the Baltic metropolis of Riga and its half million residents during World War I, revolution, and civil war. The narrative spans significant events, from the 1914 mobilization and mass evacuation in 1915 to the 1917 revolution, German occupation, and the chaos of 1919, which included the rise of a communist regime, liberation by Baltic and Latvian forces, and the final battle against Russian General Bermondt-Avalov. The second half delves into the diverse wartime experiences of the city's main national groups: Germans, Latvians, and Russians. Each group faced the war's catastrophes, battles, and upheavals in distinct ways, leading to varied interpretations and actions in politics, religion, and society. These differences are illustrated through contemporary documents, memoirs, diaries, and periodicals, highlighting how the war shaped their identities and experiences in a multiethnic metropolis. The book provides a comprehensive examination of the demographic impacts, including the loss of nearly half the population, and reflects on how these nationalities perceived and reacted to the tumultuous events surrounding them.
