How to Pronounce Kārlis Ulmanis

Meaning and Context

Kārlis Ulmanis was a pivotal and complex figure in Latvian history, serving as the last President of Latvia before the Soviet occupation in 1940 and holding the office of Prime Minister on four separate occasions. A key leader in the Latvian War of Independence and a principal architect of the new nation-state, Ulmanis, born in 1877, was a prominent agrarian politician who founded the Latvian Farmers' Union. His political career is often bifurcated into his democratic leadership during the 1920s and his authoritarian rule after the bloodless coup of May 15, 1934, when he established a personal dictatorship that lasted until 1940. This period, known as the "Ulmaņa laiki" (Ulmanis Times), is remembered for economic nationalism, cultural flourishing, and the suppression of political pluralism. His legacy remains a subject of nuanced debate in modern Latvia, balancing his role as a symbol of Latvian sovereignty and statehood with the controversial suspension of democratic institutions. His story is integral to understanding interwar Latvia, the Baltic states' independence, and the broader context of European authoritarianism in the 1930s.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling of the name is Kārlis Ulmanis, which includes the Latvian diacritical mark, the macron, over the 'a' in his first name, indicating a long vowel. The most common omission in non-Latvian texts is the missing macron, resulting in the spelling "Karlis Ulmanis." Another frequent error, particularly in historical English texts, is the use of a Germanic-style spelling, Karlis Ulmanis, which is a transliteration that ignores the Latvian orthography. His surname is occasionally misspelled as "Ulman" or "Ulmannis," adding or dropping letters. When searching for information, using the correct diacritic is ideal, but search engines typically treat "Kārlis" and "Karlis" as equivalent. For archival purposes and academic writing, however, adherence to the proper spelling with the macron is essential for accuracy.

Example Sentences

Historians often cite Kārlis Ulmanis as the most influential Latvian political figure of the interwar period, embodying both the nation's democratic aspirations and its authoritarian turn.

Following his coup in 1934, Kārlis Ulmanis consolidated power under the ideology of "Latvia for Latvians," focusing on agrarian reform and national industry.

Despite the authoritarian nature of his regime, many Latvians still regard Kārlis Ulmanis as a steadfast guardian of Latvian culture and independence during a turbulent era in European politics.

The legacy of Kārlis Ulmanis is visibly preserved in Riga, where his statue stands prominently, and a major university bears his name.

In 1940, the Soviet ultimatum and subsequent occupation forced Kārlis Ulmanis to resign, after which he was deported and died in captivity in Russia in 1942.

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