During many centuries of war and changes of power in the Baltic, and despite demographic changes, the Baltic Germans in Riga had maintained a dominant position. By 1867 Riga’s population was 42.9% German. Riga employed German as its official language of administration until the installation of Russian in 1891 as the official language in the Baltic provinces, as part of the policy of Russification of the non-Russian speaking territories of the Russian Empire, including Congress Poland, Finland and the Baltics, undertaken by Tsar Alexander III. More and more Latvians started moving to the city during the mid-19th century.
Historic B&W photos of Riga, Russia (Latvia) late 19th Century
Historic B&W photos of Riga, Russia (Latvia) late 19th Century
Historic B&W photos of Riga, Russia (Latvia) late 19th Century
Historic B&W photos of Riga, Russia (Latvia) late 19th Century
Historic B&W photos of Riga, Russia (Latvia) late 19th Century
Historic B&W photos of Riga, Russia (Latvia) late 19th Century
Historic B&W photos of Riga, Russia (Latvia) late 19th Century
Historic B&W photos of Riga, Russia (Latvia) late 19th Century
