cross-posted from: https://hexbear.net/post/8024627
I see Baltic states being used as an example of why soviet communism was ineffective and unequal, and I am finding it harder to argue using statistics and polls due to the anti-communism, and the GDP fall being less sharp, and recovering quicker (as well as me being unable to find GDP PPP graphs for pre-1991 dates)
Almost certainly related to their strategic position for NATO as a thorn in Russia’s side. Same with Poland which received enormous investment and help from the Americans and the West in general so they can be a bulwark against Russia.
Funnily enough that’s the same reason the Baltic states were often getting outsized investment from the Soviet Union.
They were one of the main front lines of the cold war anyway.
They were also the richest parts of the Russian Empire due to tax benefits.