Baltic–Soviet relations military measures." In mid-June 1940, when international attention was focused on the German invasion of France, Soviet NKVD troops raided border posts in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. State administrations were liquidated and replaced by Soviet cadres, Elections were held with single pro-Soviet candidates listed for many positions, with resulting peoples assemblies immediately requested admission into the USSR, which was granted by the Soviet Union. Germany invaded and occupied the territories of Baltic states in 1941 during "Operation Barbarossa". At the beginning the Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians hoped that the Germans would reestablish Baltic independence. Such political hopes soon evaporated and
Mark (currency) policy was not re-established, and the continuing loose money policy resulted in inflation, and in 1923, in hyperinflation. In late 1923, when the paper mark had become virtually worthless, it was replaced by a new currency, the (worth ). The new currency was issued by the newly established as credit to borrowers, but requiring collateral in the form of first-class claims to real estate. In 1924, the stopped providing unrestricted credit against worthless financial bills, and pegged its new currency, the , to the stable . The rationed its lending, so that the remained at par with the stable .