Jelgava District ( Latvian : Jelgavas rajons ) was an administrative division of Latvia , located in Semigallia region, in the country's centre. It was organized into a city, two municipalities and twelve parishes, each with a local government authority. The administrative centre of the district was Jelgava . It preceded and used the symbols of the Jelgavas apriņķis [ lv ] of the interwar Republic of Latvia, which was created in 1920 from the previous Dobeles apriņķis .
31-528: Districts were eliminated during the administrative-territorial reform in 2009. 56°39′00″N 23°42′46″E / 56.65000°N 23.71278°E / 56.65000; 23.71278 This Semigallia location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Semigallia Semigallia is one of the Historical Latvian Lands located to the south of the Daugava and to
62-644: A defining characteristic of the Polish Romanticist movement. Poland briefly regained semi-autonomy in 1807 when Napoleon created the Duchy of Warsaw , but this effectively ended with the Congress of Vienna in 1815. The Congress created the Kingdom of Poland, sometimes called Congress Poland , as a Russian puppet state. Even this, however, came to an end after a Polish insurrection in 1831 , at which point Russia ended most of
93-562: The First Partition of Poland in 1772, in an attempt to strengthen the significantly weakened Commonwealth, King Stanisław August Poniatowski put into effect a series of reforms to enhance Poland's military, political system, economy, and society. These reforms reached their climax with the enactment of the May Constitution in 1791, which established a constitutional monarchy with separation into three branches of government, strengthened
124-448: The coat of arms of Latvia , Semigallia is represented along with Courland ( Kurzeme ), due to the historical connection between the two regions. Semigallia borders other historical Baltic regions such as Vidzeme (the southern part of former Swedish Livonia ) to the northeast, Lithuanian Samogitia to the south, Courland to the west and Selonia to the east as well as the Gulf of Riga to
155-874: The 16th century. Part of the Semigallians assimilated into the Latvians, and another part into the Lithuanians. The name Semigallia was mentioned for the first time in Scandinavian sources. The Danish chronicle Annales Ryenses mentions that Danish Vikings conquered "the whole of Prussia , Semigallia and many other lands" around 870. The Yngvars saga , in the 11th century, mentions Semigallians (Seimgaler) as tribute payers to Sweden. The Mervala stone in Sweden contains runic inscriptions which read: Which, in English, translates as: In
186-643: The Livonian Order and Lithuania. Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas titled himself Duke of Semigallia (Gedeminne Dei gratia Letphanorum Ruthenorumque rex, princeps et dux Semigallie) in letters to the Pope. The Semigallian language was spoken in the region until around the 16th century. Northern part of the ancient Semigallia is located in Latvia, southern part of it - in Lithuania. Within present day Latvia, Semigallia has
217-692: The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, with the three conquering powers signing a treaty to divide the region on 26 January 1797. This gave the Habsburg monarchy control of the Western Galicia and Southern Mazovia territories, with approximately 1.2 million people; Prussia received Podlachia , the remainder of Masovia, and Warsaw , with 1 million people; and Russia received the remaining land, including Vilnius and 1.2 million people. Unlike previous partitions, no Polish representative
248-534: The battle of Aizkraukle, the final Semigallian uprising started, led by Duke Nameisis . Nameisis acknowledged himself a vassal of Lithuanian Grand Duke Traidenis . In 1281, Nameisis, along with many of his compatriots, withdrew to Lithuania and, in the same year, took part in battles led by Traidenis against the Teutonic Order. In 1287, the Battle of Garoza was won by the Semigallians. Semigallia remained split between
279-597: The beginning of the Kościuszko Uprising . Catherine II and Frederick William II were quick to respond and, despite initial successes by Kosciuszko's forces, the uprising was crushed by November 1794. According to legend, when Kosciuszko fell off of his horse at the Battle of Maciejowice , shortly before he was captured, he said "Finis Poloniae", meaning in Latin "[This is] the end of Poland." Austrian, Prussian, and Russian representatives met on 24 October 1795 to dissolve
310-604: The betrayal by the Polish nobility, and emboldened by the French Revolution unfolding in France, the Polish masses quickly turned against the occupying forces of Prussia and Russia. Following a series of nationwide riots, on 24 March 1794, Polish patriot Tadeusz Kościuszko took command of the Polish armed forces and declared a nationwide uprising against Poland's foreign occupiers, marking
341-399: The boundary was marked by the streams Ežerupis and Vadakstis . In the east, the territory crossed Dauguva and included part of its right bank. The southern boundary was marked by Mūša river . Semigallians, Samogitians, Selonians and Latgalians constituted one cultural area. Between the 5th and 9th centuries, the territory occupied by Semigallians was reduced. They occupied a smaller area of
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#1733106862577372-674: The bourgeoisie and abolished many of the nobility 's privileges as well as many of the old laws of serfdom. In addition, to strengthen Poland's international standings, King Stanislaus signed the Polish-Prussian Pact of 1790. Angered by what was seen as dangerous, Jacobin -style reforms, Russia invaded Poland in 1792, beginning the War in Defense of the Constitution . Abandoned by her Prussian allies and betrayed by Polish nobles who desired to restore
403-794: The coast on the Gulf of Riga in the north and didn't reach the Daugava in the northeast. In the 5th century, in the Lielupe river basin, a separate Semigallian tribe had formed. Their territory reached the Venta river in the west, the Baltic Sea in the north including the mouth of the river Lielupė, the Lėvuo and Mūša river basins in the East, and the northern borders of the Šiauliai and Panevėžys districts in present-day Lithuania in
434-667: The collapse of the Livonian Confederation , most of Semigallia belonged to the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia , a vassal duchy of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth , until the Third Partition of Poland in 1795. The Semigallian language belongs to the Eastern Baltic language group. It was spoken in the northern part of Lithuania and the southern regions of Latvia. It is believed to have been extinct by
465-623: The east, the Aukštaitians in the south, the Samogitians in the southwest, and the Curonians in the west. The centre of western Semigallia was Tērvete , while the centre of eastern Semigallia was Mežotne , which was destroyed in 1220 by the Livonian Order . Six Semigallian lands were known in the first half of the 13th century: Dobene, Dobele, Silene, Spārnene, Tērvete, Upmale, Žagare. Following
496-470: The first half of the 13th century, settlements along the Daugava river were quite often attacked by the Lithuanians. The Livonian Order , which had begun conquering eastern Semigallia around the same period, made an alliance with the Semigallians and the Latgalians against the Lithuanians. In the winter of 1205, an army of Semigallians led by Viestards attacked the forces of Lithuanian Duke Žvelgaitis , who
527-446: The first syllable corresponds to ziem ('north'). Thus, the Semigallians were the "people of the northern borderlands" (i.e. the lower parts of the Mūša and Lielupe river valleys). Between the 1st and the 4th century the cultural area of Semigallian reached its maximum size. In the north, the territory spread the Gulf of Riga and included a more extensive area of the coast. In the west,
558-459: The high contracting parties are agreed and undertake never to include in their titles ... the name or designation of the Kingdom of Poland, which shall remain suppressed as from the present and forever ... The Third Partition of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth ended the existence of an independent Polish and Lithuanian state for the next 123 years. Immediately following the Third Partition,
589-737: The north of the Saule region of Samogitia . The territory is split between Latvia and Lithuania , previously inhabited by the Semigallian Baltic tribe. They are noted for their long resistance (1219–1290) against the German crusaders and Teutonic Knights during the Northern Crusades . Semigallians had close linguistic and cultural ties with Samogitians . The name of Semigallia appears in sources such as Seimgala , Zimgola and Sem [ e ] gallen . The -gal[l] element means 'border' or 'end', while
620-609: The north. The geography of Semigallia consists mostly of plains and some hills. The Lielupe is the most important river after the Daugava. The major town is Jelgava ( German : Mitau ), the former capital of the united Duchy of Courland and Semigallia . The territory of the Semigallia region in Latvia is defined by law as follows: Jelgava city, Bauska Municipality , Dobele Municipality , Jelgava Municipality , part of Baldone Parish , Baldone city, Daugmale Parish , part of Ķekava Parish , part of Babīte Parish , Birzgale Parish ,
651-536: The occupying powers forced many Polish politicians, intellectuals, and revolutionaries to emigrate across Europe, in what was later known as the Great Emigration . These Polish nationalists participated in uprisings against Austria , Prussia, and Russia in former Polish lands, and many would serve France as part of the Polish Legions . In addition, Polish poets and artists would make the desire for national freedom
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#1733106862577682-569: The part of Ķegums city on the left bank of the Daugava , Tome Parish , part of Olaine Parish , Jaunauce Parish , Ruba Parish , Vadakste Parish , Džūkste Parish , Jaunpils Parish , Lestene Parish and Slampe Parish . In Lithuania, Semigallia ( Žiemgala ) is considered a historically and culturally Baltic region. Žiemgala is part of Aukštaitija ; its main centres are Joniškis, Pakruojis, Žeimelis , Linkuva and Pasvalys. The museum of Semigallia opened in 1958 in Žeimelis. Third Partition of Poland The Third Partition of Poland (1795)
713-537: The privileges they had lost under the May Constitution, Poland was forced to sign the Second Partition in 1793, which ceded Dobrzyn, Kujavia, and a large portion of Greater Poland to Prussia and all of Poland's eastern provinces from Moldavia to Livonia to Russia, reducing Poland to one-third of her original size before the First Partition. Outraged with the further humiliation of Poland by her neighbors and
744-564: The south. They inhabited Žagarė , Pakruojis , Pasvalys , Linkuva and Joniškis . Between the 9th and 13th centuries, Semigallian's territory reduced even more. Samogitians took lands in the southwest. Meanwhile, the former Semigallian territory in the east was principality of Koknese . The neighbouring tribes were the Livonians in the north, the Latgalians in the northeast, the Selonians in
775-530: The status of one of five historical and cultural regions of Latvia . The region takes its name from the Baltic people known as Semigallians . Since the 13th century, Selonia has been included as part of Semigallia, and comprises the eastern part of the current electoral district of Zemgale. It takes its name from the Selonian Baltic tribe. Traditional Selonia also includes a portion of northeastern Lithuania. On
806-588: The winter ice pack in the Gulf of Riga to reach Oesel Island . Also, this territory kept the Livonian Branch of the Teutonic Order separated from the Prussian Branch . Castles played an important role in the strategy of the Livonian Order to expand into the Semigallian territory. They followed the line of rivers and some of them were established on native fortification sites. In 1250, the whole of Semigallia
837-459: Was conquered by the Livonian Order. Four years later, they split this territory between themselves and the Bishopric of Riga . In 1258, the Semigallians rebelled and managed to temporarily liberate themselves. In 1265, the Livonian Order began construction of Jelgava castle (Mithow, Mytowe). In 1272, Semigallia finally succumbed to the Livonian Order. In 1279, after the victory of the Lithuanians in
868-495: Was defeated. In 1220, Mežotne , the centre of eastern Semigallia was destroyed by the Livonian Order. In 1236, Semigallians participated in the decisive Battle of Saule along with Lithuanians against the Livonian Order. In the same year, an uprising started in eastern Semigallia. For the Livonian Order, Semigallia was a strategic territory. Lithuanians passed through Semigallia to raid settlements in Livonia, and they took advantage of
899-409: Was party to the treaty. The Habsburgs, Russia, and Prussia forced King Stanislaus to abdicate and retire to St. Petersburg, where he died as a trophy prisoner in 1798. The victors also agreed to erase the country's name: In view of the necessity to abolish everything which could revive the memory of the existence of the Kingdom of Poland, now that the annulment of this body politic has been effected ...
930-612: Was returning from a war against Estonia with booty and Estonian slaves . His troops were caught unaware while crossing waist-high snowdrifts. Žvelgaitis was killed by a javelin thrown by the German Theodore Schilling. 1,200 Lithuanian knights perished; the Estonian slaves were slaughtered as well, in retribution for "past crimes" against the Livonians. In 1208, Viestards led a united Semigallian and crusader army into Lithuania but
961-571: Was the last in a series of the Partitions of Poland–Lithuania and the land of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth among Prussia , the Habsburg monarchy , and the Russian Empire which effectively ended Polish–Lithuanian national sovereignty until 1918 . The partition was the result of the Kościuszko Uprising and was followed by a number of Polish–Lithuanian uprisings during the period. Following