Latvia proclaimed independence in 1918 after ~700 years of German suppression, and was fully liberated in 1919 from the Soviets and the Germans by the newly formed Latvian army, led by Oskars Kalpaks. The democracy was very supported and successfully continued until 1933, when the economic crisis effected the situation of Latvia, resulting in an nationalistic overthrown by Kārlis Ulmanis a year later, who banned all the political parties. However, the rule had democratic characteristics and more resembled a presidential state. In this time the state supported Latvian patriotism and culture, and established a stable economic situation, meanwhile being tolerant to other nationalities.