What was Latvia like 70 years ago?

Seventy years ago, in the early 1950s, Latvia was part of the Soviet Union, having been occupied and annexed in 1940. The country was characterized by a repressive regime, with strict censorship and limited political freedoms. Many Latvians faced persecution, and there were significant efforts to suppress Latvian culture and identity. The economy was centrally planned, focusing on heavy industry and agriculture, often at the expense of local needs and traditions.