The previous three chapters have followed a similar form. After reviewing the relevant history of the preceding period, each has addressed ethnic conflict in a period of structural breakdown. In contrast to these chapters' more limited focus, this chapter looks at the century as a whole and makes more sweeping comparisons across historical eras. Despite the difference in scope, the general approach remains the same as in previous chapters. The first section makes three brief comparisons that generate a field of variation. The following section then assesses the ability of each emotional narrative to explain patterns within this field.

Comparisons

The Nature of Variation Looking Across All Periods

In looking across twentieth century Baltic history, one of the striking features of ethnic conflict in the region is the enormous variation in target. Consider each ethnic group in turn.

• Although the Baltic Germans possessed a dominant position since the medieval ages, only with the effects of modernization did they become targets, and even then action against them varied. Germans were targeted in 1905, but their significance as a focus of violence and discrimination is never strong afterward.

• Ukrainians attacked Poles in 1939 but not 1941; Lithuanians harassed Poles in the Vilnius region in 1941 and post-1991 periods.

• Jews have not been a constant prey. In 1941, Lithuanians attacked Jews in the Kaunas region and other Lithuanian regions; in the same period, Latvians and Ukrainians in Poland B likewise acted against Jews.