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Taking part in the Baltic Chain protest, 1989 (audio)

Taking part in the Baltic Chain protest, 1989 (audio)
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Key Info
  • Taking part in the Baltic Chain protest, 1989 (audio)
  • Duration: 08:59
  • Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are known as the Baltic states. During the Cold War they were ruled by Soviet Russia. In August 1989, ordinary people protested at the foreign domination of their countries by joining hands for 650 km. Sandra, one of the organisers, describes her involvement in the protest. She says that the Soviet authorities were taken by surprise at the size of the protest, having previously authorized it. She describes the day of the protest, when she joined the chain in the countryside, causing large traffic jams. She remembers feeling elated at the success of the protest. A pop song and traditional folk songs formed an important part of the protest. Soviet Russia claimed that the protest was organized by violent extremists, but Sandra feels that the peaceful nature of the protest and the large numbers of people involved got their message out to the world. Sandra is now a member of the European parliament and feels positive about the future for her country as part of the European Union. This clip from ‘Witness’ is published on the World Service website: bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004t1hd and was first broadcast on 23 August 2010. Please note this is an audio clip and only available in Flash.
  • Subject:

    Citizenship and Modern Studies

       Topic:

    Rights: Human Legal Consumer

  • Keywords: history, Cold War, Iron Curtain, Soviet Russia, Baltic States, Europe, protest, civil disobedience, Witness
Ideas for use in class
  • Illustrates how direct action can take different forms, and how carefully planned and innovative demonstrations can achieve intended outcomes. Also describes potential dangers of such action. Do pupils feel it was worth the personal risk to make a symbolic protest? Compare to other actions for human and civil rights around the world.
Background details
  • Clip language : English
  • Aspect ratio : 16x9
Video options
  • Location of Flash Video clip:

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