World Leader
The Resume
(September 4, 1877-September 20, 1942)
Born in Bērze, Latvia
Graduated from University of Nebraska-Lincoln with degree in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (1909)
Worked at dairy and cheese-making industries
Founder of Latvian People’s Council and Latvian Farmer’s Union
Prime Minister of Latvia (November 19, 1918-June 18, 1921)
President of Latvia (November 4, 1936-July 21, 1940)
Died in a jail in Krasnovodsk, Soviet Union (now Türkmenbaşy, Turkmenistan)
Why he might be annoying
He was involved in the 1905 Revolution, which landed him in prison for writing an insulting article about Tzar Nicholas II.
He gained power through a bloodless coup d’état.
He dissolved the Latvian Parliament, known as the Saeima, and then proceeded to run a dictatorship.
He also suspended most civil liberties.
Under his rule, Latvia’s ethnic minorities didn’t get an equal share of the nation’s wealth with Latvians.
He said that he was ‘married’ to Latvia, which explains why he remained a bachelor throughout his life.
Why he might not be annoying
He fought for Latvian independence from Russia.
He was popular among farmers due to his former experience working as a dairyman in the United States.
He developed Latvia’s economy and improved its literacy rate at a time when other European countries were struggling financially.
He forbade the physical harassment of ethnic minorities in Latvia.
When the Soviets occupied Latvia, he told the people to show no resistance, saying, ‘I’ll remain in my place and you remain in your places.’ (1940)
The Soviets mislabeled him as a fascist, even though the fascist party was outlawed in Latvia.
Latvians viewed his rule as a golden age of Latvia.
His grand-nephew Guntis Ulmanis became the first Latvian president since the Soviet Union’s breakup.
Credit: Big Lenny
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Year In Review:
For 2010, as of last week, Out of 15 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
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