In August 1940, the Soviet Union formally annexed Latvia, an event that followed a series of aggressive political maneuvers by the USSR. After the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in 1939, which divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, the Baltic states, including Latvia, found themselves at the mercy of Soviet ambitions. By mid-1940, the USSR exerted pressure on Latvia to accept Soviet troops, leading to significant political turmoil in the country. The Latvian government faced immense pressure to comply with Soviet demands, resulting in a staged election. This election, held on July 14, 1940, supposedly resulted in a pro-Soviet government that quickly moved to request annexation to the USSR.

On August 5, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR formally accepted this request, annexing Latvia as one of its republics. This act was characterized by the suppression of dissent and the rapid implementation of Soviet policies, including nationalization of industries and collectivization of agriculture. These changes not only affected the political landscape of Latvia but also transformed its social and economic frameworks, laying the groundwork for decades of Soviet rule.

The annexation was widely condemned internationally, yet little was done to reverse the decision due to the geopolitical realities of the time, particularly the positioning of Nazi Germany. The incorporation of Latvia into the Soviet Union was emblematic of the larger struggle between totalitarian regimes and democratic nations, and it set the stage for further conflicts in the region during World War II.