Lithuania History

Approximately 10 000-9 000 m. dead glacier, from the neighboring regions of the current territory of Lithuania was the first settlers. According to Lithuanian researchers prehistory Marija Gimbutas was from the Jutland peninsula and the current Polish territories came hunters and fishermen, who bring together two late Paleolithic cultures. The first settlers were pastoralist and does not develop permanent settlements. Previous lives of people in this region is not a trace, as if they existed here and, all traces of previous inhabitants of the last ice age destroyed.

Are the first people reside in the territory of Lithuania may be associated with the white between the archaeologists and the ancient Lithuanian prehistory researchers are not unanimous. Dependence on the ethnic population can be addressed only by a skeleton, and cultural monuments. The area where the residence (or formed) on the white-covered 800 000 km ², from the Baltic Sea to the Volga and the Dnieper upstream. According to some estimates could residence in the territory of 500 000 people.

New Stone Age in Lithuania – in the Neolithic period 4800/4600-1700/1600 Ave. of e. (radiokarboninės date) in the territory of Lithuania, and the pottery comes agriculture and animal husbandry, which first adopted the western part.

According to one version of the 3000-2500 Ave. of e. Eastern Baltic Sea region, the white, which asimialiavo and displaced the local population. From where they came is not clear how that is not fully resolved the issue of Indo-European origin.

Bronze Age begins Lithuania sixteenth century Ave. of e., when the first bronze articles (ax, ietigaliai, knives, jewelry, swords) – originally imported from Scandinavia, Western Europe and the south of Russia, and later produced the spot.

Iron Age Lithuania replacing brass, starting the first millennium Ave. of e. and lasts until the middle of the Middle Ages.

Lithuania’s formation and early history

See more details. Lithuanian state formation
The first mention of Lithuania’s name (1009)

Lithuanian name is written first mentioned in 1009, – Lithuania (Latin genitive form Lituae, so had to be Litus nominative). XI century knowledge of Lithuania and Russia the annals. They referred to Lithuania and Kiev as a tributary, but historians doubt whether the tribute paid regularly, or just show Kievan Rus’ claims on the Lithuanian soil. From the XII century Lithuanian source is cited as preparing trips to neighboring countries.
Lithuanian territory of variation at different times

The first governor, and made united Lithuania Lithuania shall be considered as a Grand Duke Mindaugas. In 1251, to reinforce its authority and end the conflict with Livonia, Mindaugas apsikrikštijo and karūnavosi 1253 6 July Karūnacijos unknown place, the only sources that have been crowned in Lithuania, according to some historians concluded that the permanent capital of Mindaugas had. Later, about 1260 years, this Mindaugas Crown refused and returned to their ancestral faith. Lithuania and Mindaugas in 1258 suffered a serious test – the State was siaubta Burundajaus leadership Mongolian-Tatar march during the winter. 1263 m. Mindaugas slain nephew Treniota. Mindaugas was the first and only Christian king of Lithuania’s history, because after his death, returned to Lithuania Paganism and the title of king was lost.

After the assassination of Mindaugas in 1263, country arose, within a few years to kill or drive away the four rulers. Only in 1269 restore the stability, the rise to power of the prince Kernaves dosing. Order sources claimed that the dispensing atkeršijo for the son of Mindaugas Vaišelga murder, so it is likely that the dosing and Mindaugas was to the family relationship.

Grand Duchy of Lithuania

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Cc Lithuanian state significantly increased and expanded. Mongolian-Tatar Teutonic and Lithuania in the face of attacks, which have Vytenis, looking for salvation connected Belarus prince, in return received autonomy. Lithuania strengthened the most Gediminaičių Dynasty XIV-XV century Prince Gediminas quite significantly expanded the territory of Lithuania to the east by diplomatic means (mainly ištekindamas daughter). His son Algirdas continued development of military means, to have also contributed, and his brother Kęstutis.

Lithuania to the east, from the expanded state. In favorable conditions was the fact that the territory of the former Kievan Rus was emasculate Mongolian and fragmented parts. Lithuania has been connected to all the present territory of Belarus, Ukraine and the current western Russia. Algirdas and Vytautas management has reached the maximum time of Lithuania’s territorial extension – in the south of the border even reached the Black Sea. Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and Lithuania – the Polish state has claims to all of the former Kievan Rus’ lands, and the unification of Russia’s role XV-XVI centuries competed with Moscow.

Algirdas son Jagiello in 1386 apsikrikštijo and became King of Poland. Even before the baptism in 1385 Krėvės contract was signed, which laid the foundations of Lithuanian-Polish union. 1387 Jagiello krikštijo Vilnius. It is in these years as the official date of the baptism of Lithuania, Mindaugas as real, and perhaps the alleged atsimetus of the baptism of Lithuania was once again considered a pagan country.

Although baptism significantly strengthened the international situation in Lithuania, but still up to the Battle of Grunwald (1410 of 15 July) Lithuanian statehood always threatened Teutonic and Livonian (up to 1236 m. – Kalavijuočių) Order of the claim.

Both Nations Republic

For more information, see: Both Nations Republic
Both Nations Republic Voivodship

Jagiellonian launched personal Lithuanian – Polish union was broken several times, when these countries managed the individual ruler, but the growing threat of the value of the Moscow Lithuanian nobleman to seek support for Poland. Formally, the state in one bendravalstybinį unit was merged in 1569 Union of Lublin.

Died Gediminaičių Dynasty, the ruler of Poland and Lithuania began the collection of all the candidates want to highborn. Very strengthened the influence of the nobility. In practice, any serious decisions could be taken without the consent of the Seimas of the nobility. Unfortunately, most SEJM worked very effectively – the family has long been disputed and triukšmaujama non-essential issues, and consensus on important matters of state is usually not available. From 1717 onwards “Silent” in both Nations, the Seimas of the Republic has a clear Russian influence.

XVII century late – eighteenth century the beginning of Lithuania – Polish State persirito to its sunset. XVIII century took place at the beginning of the war in the North showed the weakness of state and a very depleted the edge, which has been siaubiamas their own and foreign armies. Affected and the Lithuanian cities – Vilnius was occupied several times, and devastated the Russian and Swedish.

Reform of state testing and the two subdivisions of Nations

XVIII century the middle of the House of Czartoryski tried to carry out the reforms – was established in the Military Commission and the Treasury, the Seimas, and reformed Sejmik work. Implicitly repealed Liberum veto. These reforms dislike of Russia and Prussia, which feared the strength, the infidel rights pretext they began to intervene directly in public affairs. Yet in 1764 Russia with Prussia agreed to maintain the two Nations, the Republic of anarchy. 1767 m. formed in support of the Russian Confederation of Radom, which was directed against the Czartoryski and demanded the rights to collate infidel. 1768 Formed in the other bar in town the Confederation, the champion of Russian influence. Bar Confederation and indirectly supported by France – Turkey. In the same year Russia started the war with Turkey. After the Russian – Turkish war, Russia again started to actively intervene in the affairs of the Republic of both Nations.

Continuously shrinking, and internal conflicts varginamą the country in 1772 neighboring Russia, Prussia and Austria decided to share, atsiriekdamos after part of the national territory. After the first division, followed in 1793 the second Illuminated part of the public tried to rescue the residues, making substantial reforms. Significant influence on the content of the reforms have had the American and French revolutions in ideas. In 1775 SEJM supplemented kardinalines rights. Noble estates were secured, the Authority, the right to manage peasants. Free to leave the king of the election, but elected to be a local, non-stool. Seym Acts are divided into economic and political, which may be taken by majority vote.

The king of control of a Permanent Council, as well as of a National Education Commission. These institutions were common to Poland and Lithuania. The Permanent Council was the executive body, chaired by the administration, provides a family of draft laws, by law, sent the courier, offered the king of 3 candidates to the posts. The King chaired the Permanent Council meetings and had a 1-2 vote. The Permanent Council has 36 members, elected for two year, the Seimas. Half of them were Senators, on the other side – represented by the nobility. Each new family re 1 / 3 members. All the King signed legislation, the senators and the Board of the Marshal. In 1776 Function of the Permanent Council of the obligations of law extended to include the interpretation of the legislative control, the right interpretation.

1788 – 1792 m. acted in “Great Sejm” which prepared the state reforms and a new state constitution. Of 1791 3 May simplified procedure adopted by the Seimas of the Constitution, entitled “Control Act”. The Constitution did not reactionary nobility. The Constitution has provided for the population luominės the rights and obligations and the government, the principle of changing the form. The Constitution guaranteed all the nobleman of private and political life of the rights and prerogatives. Estates of the nobility is defined as the landlady of estates.

After three divisions 1772 – 1795 m. the majority of Lithuania in the Russian Empire composition. To the Russia and Vilnius, which at that time had 25 000 inhabitants and was one of the largest cities of the empire.

Russia Russian Empire
“Lithuanian” Russian Empire province – province of Kaunas and Vilnius, and the Kingdom of Poland Suwałki Governorate

Lithuania lost its independence history of the nineteenth century led to the beginning of the Russian royal and imperial ambitions of France garsėjusios policy. In 1807 Napoleon Bonaparte of Prussia deprive Polish and Lithuanian lands created the Duchy of Warsaw, which lasted until 1815, when Russia and to the Kingdom of Poland was named. This compound has been called kongresine kingdom because its existence was based on the Vienna Congress decisions. In the Kingdom of Poland and the composition included in the split of Prussia for some time managed Užnemunė Lithuania. Thus, from 1815 onwards all of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania Lithuanian land has belonged to the Russian Empire. But remained relatively high status of their differences. Užnemunėje peasants were the earliest, in comparison with other parts of Lithuania, the personal freedom, here rusifikacinė policy has been weakened. Until the Napoleonic invasion of Russia to Lithuania and the noblemen nobility had hoped that the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in one form or another will return to the Russian Empire. These expectations, together with the failure of Napoleon of 1812 campaign, when the Napoleonic nobility welcomed as liberator. After the Russian victory over Napoleon Lithuania slowly started to strengthen the Russification.

Nineteenth century held in two broad sections of society covering the rebellion of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Poland to the revitalization of unions, which were directed against the economic oppression: 1831m. uprising, which had a crucial role of the nobility, and 1863-1864 uprising, considered the peasants. Both rebellions were tame.
Already in the nineteenth century the first half of Lithuanian national revival been more signs. Initiated the formation of Lithuanian national, ie, at a level of civilization and culture. To the written Lithuanian language, Lithuanian Philology, Lithuanian Lithuanian literary and historical development has contributed Samogitian Lithuanian movement, which was by far the strongest figure of Simon Daukantas first-drafting a new understanding of nationality, where the nation is considered a key distinguishing feature of language. Žemaičių Lithuanian Movement was not a rebellion against the participants, rather they simpatizavo, although their own priorities for action were primarily cultural. Žemaičių Lithuanian national movement is considered the first phase of the movement.

After the 1863-1864 years uprising press ban – banned in Latin alphabet, they are trying to replace Cyrillic. Books and printing in Latin characters Lithuania reached from Prussia and Lithuania Minor printing, set up, and Bishop M. Valančiaus and J. Bielinis efforts, from where they are illegally across the border into Lithuania nešdavo book and platinum, and subsequently contribute to several organizations. The reaction after the uprising, and other affected areas of life – was to close all the monasteries, the Orthodox Church has increased protectionist.

National liberation movement, which was užgniaužtas quell insurrection, has extended Samogitian, and the peasants descended from Suwalki Lithuanian intelligentsia. Recovery appears to have been a national movement with J. Basanavičiaus started in the newspaper “Bertha” (1883 – 1886 m.). Later, they extended the ideas of others, as “Bertie” the press ban on the illegal distribution of Lithuania and Prussia print periodicals, especially Vincas Kudirka liberalusis newspaper edited in “Bells” (1889 – 1905 m.).

Nineteenth century 9-th decade of Lithuanian national movement gradually came back to the stage of political development. Start to formulate specific policy objectives. Tautiniam movements take over the leadership of the secular intelligentsia. The political dependence of the value of the Russian Empire National Movement activists to highlight the uniqueness of their ethnic group, and on that basis to claim that ethnic boundaries coincide with political boundaries. 1904, the royal government abolished the ban on the press in Latin characters Lithuania, because of its perceived neperspektyvumą. 1905, December 4-5 December Vilnius, Lithuanian representatives will meet in Congress – Riga Great Family – declared autonomy requirement.

The First World War

More read Kaizerinė occupation of Lithuania

The beginning of the First World War, until 1915, Germany occupied the whole end of the current territory of Lithuania, and the course. 1915m. Russian troops suffered defeat began to retreat from Lithuania. Industrial enterprises have ceased work due to a lack of raw materials. Soon, important companies, government agencies, secondary schools were opened to evacuate the Russian inland. About 300 thousand. Lithuanian residents have moved together with the army or were expelled its violence. Lithuanians in large colonies of refugees settled in Russia in various areas, mainly in Voronezh, Tambov, Yaroslavl, Petrograd, Moscow.

German troops attack was arrested in 1915, Autumn Naručio Lake – Daugavpils line. Front here until 1917, The Germans occupied Lithuania and the whole house began to strict military means. Lithuanian has changed the mood of the majority began to miss return Russian, German began to hate not only the rekvizijų – claimed assets of forced removal, pyliavų – a tribute to cereals, other taxes, but also because of the German žandarai and other government representatives to local people behaved very proud. Lithuanian residents were tilt toward Russia.

Germany, occupied Lithuania, had economic and political objectives: stranglehold the Baltic, the Scandinavian influence on the strengthening of the Russian retort from the Baltic Sea, and Lithuania, as a source of agricultural products, the exploitation.

All occupied areas of the Russian Empire, with the exception of a major Polish populated lands, have been merged into the sheriff’s east edge, briefly called Oberostu. It had all the power of the German Eastern front commander. Government apparatus in the center and place of the Germans. Local residents could be addressed only to village mayors.

Lithuania Lithuanian policy makers began to discuss the future of 1914 autumn. It was an attempt to determine what Russia can get from the war. Some of the Lithuanian players have expressed loyalty to the Russian Empire, the publication of the so-called “Amber the declaration.” German occupation of Lithuania, persiorientuota to it.

1917, December Lithuanian Council requested Germany to recognize the independence of Lithuania, to allow the establishment of the Berlin Mission of Lithuania, to create a civil government. 1917, 11 December Independence was signed, the act of publication, which was also provided for a close union of Lithuania and Germany. This act has caused the population at, as it was understood as the Lithuanian connection to Germany. Council of Lithuania fell goodwill.

Next to the idea of independence was still considering other options:

     * Lithuania – Poland;
     * Kolaborantinė union with Germany;
     * Autonomy in Russia.

Independent State of Lithuania in 1918-1940

     For more information, see the history of Lithuania (1918-1940)

Independence declaration
Flag of Lithuania in 1918-1940. In comparison, the proportions of different

1918, the beginning of the 11 December Act, the experience of Lithuania, the Council discussed the future of the new Lithuanian state projects. 8 January was presented a new draft, which is repeated on 11 December Act, the first paragraph. The document was amended at the end of the Constituent Seimas need.

Council of Lithuania declared independence in 1918 16 February 1918, 23 March Lithuania declared independence in Germany, but on 11 December act basis. 1918, Lithuanian Council under the State Council of Lithuania. The full independence of Lithuania išsikovojo only after the German defeat of the first World War (1918, November). 1918, 2 November Interim Constitution was adopted, on 5 November State Council Presidium Augustine Voldemars appointed Prime Minister, who in 1918 11 November was the first government.

At the State Council, and included ethnic minorities: Jews and Belarusians. The Polish state has refused to participate in the activities of the Council.

The independence struggle and the recognition of

1918, December in the Red Army invaded Lithuania. By 1919, summer onslaught was stopped and the Bolsheviks out of Lithuania.

1919, 4 April was adopted by a new interim constitution. Under the Constitution, the laws of this edition is divided between the Council of State and Government. State Council in principle for the legislative and contract authority. The President shall have the right laws to allow the Council sessions.

1919, Autumn in Germany Antanta derived from the Lithuanian army, but the part of German troops moved into the ranks bermontininkų and tried to take over the territory of Lithuania, but Lithuania and the army of volunteers were blows.
The demarcation line established between 1919-1923 in Lithuania and Poland

1919, At the end of successful military operations of the Lithuanian Army atkovojus of the Red Army Ukmerge, Panevėžys, Zarasai and nubloškus enemy of the Daugava, began negotiations with Russia, which are useful to the Lithuanian Lithuanian-Soviet Russian peace treaty, signed in Moscow in 1920 12 July under which the eastern border of Lithuania went Maladečną, returned to Lithuania in Grodno and other ethnic land. Polish troops left Vilnius under the contract for the Entente the so-called Kerzono line. Lithuanian troops came to Vilnius on 15 July and it found the Russian Army, the Poles besivijusią, recognizing that on 12 July peace treaty between Lithuania and Russia in three stages transferred to Lithuania in their occupied territory.

1920 October 9 – 10 October, roughly pamindami of international law and has just signed a contract with Poland Suwalki, Vilnius and Vilnius region Želigovskio was led by the military, who, though sensitive, receiving instructions from Mr Piłsudski, the official Polish skelbėsi Vilnius region “rebels”, and announced the central state of Lithuania, which later joined the Polish. Most Poles intervened in favor of France, which, Forecasting of Russian influence, exerted pressure to merge with Poland. Temporary capital of Lithuania, moved the government, became the Kaunas.

1921, 22 September Lithuania adopted by the Union Nations, 1922, July. U.S. recognized Lithuania de jure. 1922, 08 01 adopted the first permanent constitution, which at that time reflected the prevailing Western liberalism, individualism and pluralism of values.

State Development and the 1926 coup

Due to the complex internal and external political situation Constituent Seimas Convening was long delayed. Constituent Seimas election law was published in 1919 November. Most elections were held in 1920 April 14-15 June, to elect 112 representatives.

Until the constituent Seym and almost all the political actors have agreed to Lithuania, Lithuania that the future regime will be democratic, parliamentary republic, which was established in 1922 1 August adopted by the Constitution. The total power of the Constitution established a parliamentary structure was a classic, then under the French model. Legislative powers granted exclusively to the family, which was answered by the Cabinet of Ministers. President of the Republic have been left to the representative function.

1923, Lithuania, after the rebellion succeeded inscenizuoto Klaipėda Region to connect with the important port.

By 1926, governments to conclude with the Christian Democrats koalicinėmis lots. In 1926, following a government crisis, the government was liaudininkai peasants and social, which the government has to act, causing the Christian Democrat opposition. Social vyrausybė tried to reduce the impact on the clergy and the separation of church from state, abolished the independence of the force fighting the military situation, the Ministry of Education has allowed to occupy and operate the new 75 Polish schools.

1926, 17 December Christian Democrats supported perversmininkai overthrew the legitimately elected authorities.

State evolution in the 1926 authoritarianism and the strengthening

After the 1926 17 December coup of the State ceased to be democratic, public authorities are increasingly rallied Antanas Smetona, which was published by the State Commander, and on 19 December elected president of the hands. Family of functions have been constrained. Although the formal public institutions remained the same, but their impact is actually changed, since the main decision-making has become a prerogative of the Government and the President. December 27, trying to justify the coup, the need for antivalstybinę activity, was shooting 4 Lithuanian Communist Party activists (so-called “four communard).

SEJM in 1927 12 April was released and re-gathered only in 1936 However, this was only SEJM government tool, not an independent body. According to 1936, 9 May law, the Sejm of the candidates proposed by political parties do not, but the county and city councils. A. Smetona adopted in 1938 5 May The Constitution introduced in 1926 coup and predicted that the president is headed.

A. Smetona hostile forces several times tried unsuccessfully to organize a coup d’etat (1927 June – peasants liaudininkai, 1927 in November – the Christian Democrats and the 1934 7 June – the so-called voldemarininkai). 1936; 1 February published Societies Societies Act limited the freedom of action. 1934, was made in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, reconciliation and cooperation agreements.

(For more, see. Lithuania’s relations with Estonia and Latvia 1918-1940).

1926 – 1933 m. took place mainly in the largest Lithuanian emigration to USA, Canada, South America. 1931, Lithuania in the global economic crisis. 1935, Strikes were held by farmers and Suwalki Dzukija which Smetona regime suppress violence.

1938, constitution definitively established the nature of authoritarian state, it does not even mention that the state is democratic. All the President’s power concentrated in hands, the Ministers and the Parliamentary functions further narrows. 1938, 14 September A. Smetona elected president of 7-year term (elections under the new constitution was undemocratic). Authoritarianism justified as the strengthening of the people uniting to resist the internal and external forces that were hostile to this idea. Parliamentary elections were held under the supervision of undetected administration. The Constitution clearly reflected in authoritarianism, traditionalism, conservatism and bendruomeniškumo Lithuanian political and social thought. 1938, The Constitution provides for forced labor, and this shows the strict nature of the regime.

Since 1935, Ministry of Foreign Affairs tried to conduct secret negotiations with Poland in Vilnius matter. The Poles have felt the advantage, because it was signed in 1934 agreement with Germany, and Lithuania – German relations were very poor. Poles not to make concessions, but the Lithuanians could not agree with the recognition of Poland in Vilnius. 1938, Negotiations broke down in 1938 11 March Poland announced Lithuania to note the requirement to establish diplomatic relations. Urgent cabinet formed Miron (J. tubes were absent) adopted the ultimatum.

Despite the pooling of the government with one hand, the international situation deteriorated in Lithuania. 1939; after the German ultimatum Lithuanian government has agreed to refer the Klaipeda region of Germany. 1939; 20 March Lithuanian Foreign Minister Juozas Urbs meeting with German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop was given ultimatum to Lithuania: Klaipeda, or region, or the German army moving to Lithuania. Government of Lithuania adopted the ultimatum as the inevitable and neatremiamą evil. 1939; 22 March about midnight, Ribbentrop’s office signed by the Republic of Lithuania and the German State Treaty on the edge of the transfer of Klaipeda. Lithuania has lost the port and 1 / 3 the industry. In the region of Klaipeda was evacuated 18 000 people. The opposition accused the president and the public dissatisfaction has been originating, 1939 formed “coalition in CERN’s office, which included two Christians and two Democrats liaudininkai.

Economic development

After the First World War, Lithuania was emaciated agricultural country, the level of industrialization in Lithuania was negligible. Atkovojus independence in 1920 6 banks in the city of Kaunas, and in the years 1921-1924 379 industrial enterprises in the city. Atgijus agriculture, “Food” the company has successfully exported meat products, ‘Dairy Center – butter, “Lietūkis” – the grain. The main trade partners were Germany, England, later the Soviet Union. Trade relations is very dependent on political relations, especially with Germany. Thus England became the major trading partner in 1935, when the deterioration of relations with Germany. Between the industry compared with the pre-increased four times and constituted 20-25% of total production.

World War II and the beginning of the independence of the loss

See more details. World War II, the beginning and the loss of Lithuania’s independence

The Second World War began in 1939, September 1., Nazi Germany attacked Poland Lithuania adjacent. Lithuania declared neutrality, while Germany offered to withdraw from Poland to Lithuania Vilnius. While in 1939 17 September, the publication of the partial mobilization, collected 100 000 troops, 2 October demobilized troops. Ribbentrop atskridus to Moscow, 1939; September. 28 July, the USSR and Germany signed a new agreement, which Russia, in exchange for Polish territory, was transferred to Stalin. Now, politicians have already started to prepare the USSR harness Lithuania. Already the day after the signing of the contract Lithuanian envoy in Moscow had brought the desire to discuss the relations between countries. 9 October Deputy Prime Minister Kazys Bizauskas and army commander Stasys Raštikis went to Kaunas to inform the government about the progress of negotiations. The choice of the Government of Lithuania was as follows: 1) it is signed or the Soviet Union required the mutual assistance treaty, generating the Soviet Union to keep certain areas of the territory of Lithuania agreed quantity crews recover Vilnius and Vilnius region as part of the territory. 2) or does not sign the contract and then neatgauna of Vilnius, and the age of the detrimental konliktą with the Soviet Union. What could take the form of the conflict showed the Finnish experience. Then the Government of Lithuania has chosen the first solution. 1939; 10 October Moscow signed a contract, which perpetuate and two Russian photographers. After the so-called mutual aid agreement is signed, the Soviet Union’s military crew immediately in the city of New Vilnīši to Jonava – Gaižiūnų, debate and Alytus.

After the fall of Poland, Lithuania lost the possibility of balancing between the major states in the region and its fate was determined Moltovo-Ribbentrop Pact to reach agreements on the major spheres of influence. Lithuania with the other Baltic States into the Soviet Union’s ambition of occupying the field. 1939; October. The Soviet Union returned to Lithuania only less than half of the Vilnius region occupied želigovskininkų 1920m. October., assigning a different part of the Belarusian SSR, the ‘de facto’ aneksuodama significant part of Lithuanian ethnic lands with the city of Grodno, and other Lithuanian islands.Part of the land returned to Lithuania was carried out with the ultimate satisfying deployed in Vilnius and the Lithuanian center of the edge of the Red Army military bases.

1940, Lithuanian territory after the challenge and the ultimate action the Soviet Union occupied by the military. Occupation puppet placed the People’s Seimas, elected during the simulation and the emissary like a Soviet election, the Soviet Union’s decision to request the connection of the Lithuanian SSR Soviet republics.

People’s SEJM in 1940 23 July elected the 11 members of the constitutional commission and instructed it to prepare a draft constitution. The draft constitution drawn up by the People’s Seimas 25 August

Selected 78 “People’s” Family representatives gathered at the Kaunas Musical Theater in July and 21-23 September legally įteisindami firsthand (occupation).

The “People’s Families, the meeting was opened by Acting President Just Paleckis. Elected “People’s” Family presidency: Liudas Adomauskas – Chairman, M. Gedvilas – Vice, J. Grigalavičius – Second Deputy, P. Cvirka and A. Vencova – secretaries. The five members of the Presidium of the whole family signed the declarations.

The first “People’s Family” session elected 20 representatives, who were entrusted with the mission – to TSSR Supreme Council Declaration on the accession of Lithuania into the Soviet Union, the composition and the “Stalin brought the Sun”: Just Paleckis Lithuanian president, the interior minister Mečys Gedvilas, a former priest, the oldest Controller Liudas Adomauskas, Minister of Agriculture, Matas Mickus, Education Minister Anton Venclova, writer Liudas Gira, the defense minister and army commander Vincas Vitkauskas, trade union chairman Matej Šumauskas, actor Charles kompartijos huge-Grosmane, writer Peter Cvirka, the poet Salome Neris, K. Petrauskas, laborer Pranas Zibertas, S. Vaineikienė, Icikas Meskupas-Adam, a soldier V. Ditkevičius, P. Petrauskas, J. Demska, M. Kutraitė, B. Abdulskaitė.

1940, 21 July “People’s FamilySafe Lithuania vote for the connection to the Soviet Union, Lithuania R. Representatives handed protest notes to the majority of the governments to which they were accredited. First the opposition on 21 July said K. Škirpos Reich Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop.

1940, 30 July Justo Paleckis Representatives delegation headed by the train had gone to Moscow, where the 3 August The Soviet Union’s Supreme Council meeting, had served a request for Lithuania’s accession to the Soviet Union. Soviet Supreme Council of Lithuania request. Lithuania becomes part of the Soviet Union.

1940, 9 October student organizations established in Kaunas Lithuanian Activist Front (Laf) than in accordance with, or even coordinating emerging underground anti-Soviet activities center, a kind of underground anti-Soviet central authority.

1941, 4 June Soviet NKVD, First Deputy Commissioner of Serov was signed “Instruction on the procedure for removal of the element prieštarybinio from Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.” Listings, mainly contributed to the village elder, and Communist Party members. Lithuania Exiles lists J. Paleckis and A. Snieckus.

1941, June 14 December 3. the morning began the mass occupied the Baltic States population deportations, the animal wagons susodinta was 60 thousand. Estonian, 34 thousand. Latvian and 38 thousand. Lithuanian, they were removed to concentration camps in Siberia. Only a very small part of their besugrįžo. Such political, economic and social shocks Lithuania have not been experienced since the time of a crusade. Was immediately introduced in 1941 June uprising.

The Nazi occupation regime in 1941-1944

See more details. – The Nazi occupation of Lithuania

1941, 22 June Hitler started the war with the Soviet Union. At the same time, Lithuania Laf and other patriotic organizations in the efforts of organized uprising, formed the Lithuanian government, but Germany did not recognize her, and after 43 days of action išvaikė. 1941 – 1944 m. Lithuania was incorporated into the German Ostlando reichskomisariatą as the Lithuanian General Field, operated by the civil administration.

Occupants set up a judicial, prosecutorial and extraordinary courts, which took over all the Jews and the German cases: Supreme Court of the whole Ostlandui – Board of Appeal and the supervisory authority; German court – for cases that received from the prosecutor or the police court.

1941, 17 December Vilnius was founded underground military organization – Lithuanian Freedom Army (LLA), which set the goal – the independence of Lithuania atkovojimą on its own merits.

1942, allowed the development of Lithuanian self-government bodies, but they have been occupying the strict control of government.

1943, 25 November Kaunas from political activists in the city of the Chief Lithuanian Liberation Committee (VLIK) – Lithuanian organization, founded political parties and organizations resistential founding meeting, the elected head of Steponas Cairo.

1944, 16 February gen. Povilas Plechavičiaus appealed to the Lithuanian youth in the short term, organized thousands of volunteers authorized 20 military organization Lithuania Local team. It is the second half of May, approaching the front, go up to German army and SS, and the leadership had išsislapstyti.

1944, 1 July LLA has issued an order to deploy their units in the forests and preparing for war partizaniniam for the independence of Lithuania.

Lithuania on the SS-SS officer Karl Jäger štandartenfiurerio and SS oberšturmfiurerio Joachim Hamann preceded the destruction of its Jews were killed in policy and in particular large cent Jewish population, as the German attack was sudden and the Jews could not and unable to withdraw. Vilnius and Kaunas was the establishment of a Jewish ghetto. Many people of Jewish nationality were killed in the Holocaust during Panerio and Kaunas IX forte.

German occupation of Lithuania in the USSR existed and sabotage group, whose activities were coordinated by Moscow.

Lithuanian SSR

1944, At the end of the Soviet army returned to Lithuania. From the Lithuanian army, LLA, Šaulių member organizations, and Laf VLIK activists and represuotų and exiled to the USSR of the relatives on the broad resistance to the Red Army and the communist government. September 1944 the Supreme Council met in session, but the active partisan movement of Supreme Council elections were held only in anti-1947, February., and the elections to local councils – in 1948 January. The U.S. announced that Lithuania does not recognize the incorporation of the Soviet Union.

Lithuanian control was carried out by the Lithuanian Office, 1944 11 November established in the Soviet Communist Party’s Central Committee. It was the most important political decision-level Lithuanian sovietizacijos time. The policy of the Republican Communist Party First Secretary Antanas Snieckus, held these positions since 1940, First secretaries were appointed to supervise the second secretaries – the Russians.

The Soviet Union occupied Lithuania, the number of Lithuanian exile to Siberia or killed, the other managed to withdraw in the West Country. From 1940 to 1953, Lithuania lost about one-third of the population of 1940-1941 and 1944 – 1953 m. held during the deportation to Siberia and other remote places of the Soviet Union was Driven at least 29 923 families.
Stalin’s death (1953) stopped further deportations, and the share of ištremtųjų were allowed to return immediately. However, they were forbidden to register the Lithuanian SSR. Deportees were expressed that they do not back current Moscow leadership loyal to the Lithuanian SSR. However grįžusiems deportees refused to stay home and Latvia and Estonia. So there was probably some kind of general instructions on how to proceed. Lithuania live a number of Latvian, which, after Stalin’s death and later were not allowed to register in Latvia, Lithuania, therefore, they have chosen. Latvia is a very substantial number of the Lithuanian.

Many returnees have been forced to hide in exile from the militia or the development of the neighboring Latvia and the Kaliningrad region. A similar context and fate of deportees from other Baltic countries.

Lithuania organized armed resistance to the occupation took place in 1953 Of scientists believe that this fight occupiers prevented the užmačioms colonize the country, the only Lithuania pavergtųjų of the three new Baltic republics remained high Lithuanian population cent.

During this period of national prohibition of symbols – the flag of the nation and the nationalist song and others for their use of people were persecuted.

Lithuanian economic recovery pretext of Moscow authorities to the workers and other population migration to Lithuania as it was intended to further the integration of Lithuania into the Soviet Union and the development of the industry. At the same time, Lithuania has been working population works in Russia to attract underneath, promising a new place every installation preferences.

Even suppress the partisan opposition to the Soviet government neužgniaužė the movement for the independence of Lithuania – the persecuted underground dissident groups, allowed underground press, Catholic literature. After the International Conference of the Finnish capital, where he was declared after World War II established the border, Lithuania created the Helsinki Group in the foreign radio announced the independence requirement. 1972, after Romo had Kalantos susideginimo unrest lasted for several days in Kaunas.

In 1989, the M. Gorbachev reforms, the management of the Lithuanian SSR, under pressure from the public originating traffic, began to seek more and more autonomy. 1989, November was the citizenship law. This law was very liberal, giving the right to seek citizenship to all permanent residents of the Lithuanian SSR, regardless of their origin. Lithuania has chosen the nationality of more than 90% of the population nelietuvių. (December 1991, the restoration of Lithuanian independence have, the law was tightened by requiring 10 years of living in the country before applying for citizenship.)

Independence

In 1985, Soviet leader Gorbachev launched perestrojkos in Lithuania strengthened the sovereignty and independence requirements. 1987, 23 August Lithuanian Freedom League, which coordinated the head of Anton Terlecki dissidents, political prisoners and exiles activities in Vilnius, the monument to A. Mickiewicz held a rally Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact of damnation. Rally užsipuolė communist “true”, and it has the opposite effect. 1988, 3 June Lithuania ‘Sajūdis’ adjustment form the steering group. A movement to greater autonomy of Lithuania, and from 1989 16 February and independence of the public. 1990, 11 March President of the Supreme Council elected Professor Vytautas Landsbergis. 1990, 11 March Lithuania declared independence. [1] Soviet Union has opposed the independence of Lithuania, and the possible confrontation with Russia reached the summit in 1991 13 January, when Soviet soldiers šturmavo the television tower. Iceland will soon recognized the independence of Lithuania.

Across the world, Lithuania’s independence was recognized in 1991, August pučo Moscow. Lithuania at the time the tragedy occurred Medininkai – 1991 31 July Omon night armed group trolly išžudė Lithuanian border – shot 7 of customs, the rapid response team “Aras” and several police officers. Tąnakt post budėjęs customs officer Tom Cabana has remained alive through the miracle.

Privatization

Opening of the assets in the privatization processes in Lithuania and the Lithuanian monetary system with the introduction of vouchers, and the temporary monetary units, does the lack of slandžiai and transparent – it was show and tremendous inflation. The last Russian soldiers in 1993 August 31, left Lithuania before the Pope John Paul II’s visit, but soon began a strong destabilization: pakaunės events, which narrowly avoided partly withdraws to the forest of volunteers armed actions, sabotage Bražuolė, the Lithuanian banking system crisis and the fall and other events. In his contribution to the Lithuanian degradation brought the fiscal indicators and the economic trade partner – a neighboring Russian crisis originated in 1998 Soon, he was elected President of Lithuania Valdas Adamkus, a change in the post 1998 February 25 Social Democratic leader Algirdas Brazauskas, who prezidentavo from 1993 on 25 February Internal destabilization worsened, shortly after the president of Lithuania in 2003 January 5d. Rolandas Paksas was elected in 2004 on 6 April European history after the first impeachment of President atstatydintas Parliament. Later, once he was elected President Valdas Adamkus.

Integration into the Western military and economic alliances

Despite these times of Lithuania integration into Western economic and military alliances: 2001 May 27-30 July Vilnius was the first former Soviet Union, NATO Parliamentary Assembly, in 2004, 29 March Lithuania became a full member of NATO, and after a general referendum of the membership – from 2004 1 May – Member of the European Union. Lithuania Lithuania Europarlamente has represented elected politicians, and the 2006-2012 period period of the 36 billion. EUR of EU support.

Demographic and social problems

The poor socio-economic situation in the country (particularly in the province), stagnation in health, education from the state during the period of independence emigrated over 100 thousand. population (mainly in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Germany, USA). It also raised the suicide, a large accident, aging population, problems of xenophobia, lack of policy crisis.