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Lithuania History: Difference between revisions
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The demise of the Russian Empire in World War I allowed Lithuania to proclaim its independence in 1918. It contended for territorial integrity against the Soviet Union, which attempted to create a Lithuanian-Belarusian Soviet Republic, and Polish efforts to reincorporate Lithuania into Poland. At the end of 1920, Polish forces took Vilnius and the surrounding area and the region was annexed into Poland. Kaunas became the capital of the rest of Lithuania and twenty counties [apskritis] were set up in the newly independent nation. In 1923, the territory of Klaipda (Memel), formerly part of East Prussia along the Baltic littoral, was annexed by Lithuania to form three more counties. During this period of independence, Lithuania made great progress. | The demise of the Russian Empire in World War I allowed Lithuania to proclaim its independence in 1918. It contended for territorial integrity against the Soviet Union, which attempted to create a Lithuanian-Belarusian Soviet Republic, and Polish efforts to reincorporate Lithuania into Poland. At the end of 1920, Polish forces took Vilnius and the surrounding area and the region was annexed into Poland. Kaunas became the capital of the rest of Lithuania and twenty counties [apskritis] were set up in the newly independent nation. In 1923, the territory of Klaipda (Memel), formerly part of East Prussia along the Baltic littoral, was annexed by Lithuania to form three more counties. During this period of independence, Lithuania made great progress. | ||
In March 1939, Nazi Germany seized the Lithuanian territory of Memel-Klaipda, a region with an ethnic German majority and part of Lithuania. Then, as a result of a non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union, the Soviets were permitted to take control of the rest of Lithuania in June of 1940. Lithuania was forced to agree to the stationing of Soviet troops on its territory. In return, the Soviet Union granted the city of Vilnius back to Lithuania after taking it from Poland. Lithuania became a Soviet republic in August of 1940. The Germans occupied Lithuania in June of 1941, and remained through most of World War II. During the Nazi German occupation, Lithuania was incorporated into the Ostland Reichs-Commissariat, a German civilian administration covering the Baltic states and western | In March 1939, Nazi Germany seized the Lithuanian territory of Memel-Klaipda, a region with an ethnic German majority and part of Lithuania. Then, as a result of a non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union, the Soviets were permitted to take control of the rest of Lithuania in June of 1940. Lithuania was forced to agree to the stationing of Soviet troops on its territory. In return, the Soviet Union granted the city of Vilnius back to Lithuania after taking it from Poland. Lithuania became a Soviet republic in August of 1940. The Germans occupied Lithuania in June of 1941, and remained through most of World War II. During the Nazi German occupation, Lithuania was incorporated into the Ostland Reichs-Commissariat, a German civilian administration covering the Baltic states and western Bel[orussia. Soviet forces re-occupied the country in the summer of 1944 and its status as a Soviet republic was reaffirmed. In 1949, the Russian government closed down most churches, deported many priests, and prosecuted people possessing religious images. Lithuanians continued their armed resistance until 1953. The Soviets replaced the 26 counties with a system of oblasts (regions) and raions (districts). | ||
In March 1990, the Lithuanian parliament declared independence from the Soviet Union. Lithuania’s independence was recognized by the Soviet Union on Sept. 6, 1991. It is now organized into 10 counties [apskritis], The counties are divided into smaller administrative units - districts [rajonas]. Lithuania later applied for admission to NATO and the EU and plans to join the EU in the next enlargement. In November of 2002 Lithuania was formally invited to join NATO.<ref name="profile">The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Lithuania,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 2003.</ref> | In March 1990, the Lithuanian parliament declared independence from the Soviet Union. Lithuania’s independence was recognized by the Soviet Union on Sept. 6, 1991. It is now organized into 10 counties [apskritis], The counties are divided into smaller administrative units - districts [rajonas]. Lithuania later applied for admission to NATO and the EU and plans to join the EU in the next enlargement. In November of 2002 Lithuania was formally invited to join NATO.<ref name="profile">The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Lithuania,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 2003.</ref> | ||
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== References == | == References == | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
== Websites == | |||
[http://www.spaudos.lt/Istorija/History_a.en.htm The Lithuanian Word] | |||
[[Category:Lithuania]] [[Category:History]] | [[Category:Lithuania]] [[Category:History]] | ||