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Česlovas Laurinavičius, chief researcher at the Lithuanian Institute of History (LII), Doctor of Humanities, says that the peace treaty between Lithuania and Soviet Russia on July 12, 1920 laid the foundations for our nation-state and its form.
“No other state has served as much as Soviet Russia has done with this treaty.” Let it be imperfect, let it be signed under great stress, because it still has to be taken into account that there were serious ideological, political and worldview obstacles to this agreement, a big difference between the political systems of Russia and Lithuania, but the cross-border interests coincided . In my opinion, this is a very serious sign that we can finally live in peace with Russia, “he said.
According to Professor Zenonas Butkus, Vilnius University (VU) Faculty of History, the signing of such an agreement was an important step in restoring Lithuania’s statehood.
photo from archivesofculture.com/R. A house and a roof pillar registered by Kalpok in 1930. during the expedition
“Recognition in the West was facilitated, because the Bolshevik government of Russia, although it was not recognized, recognized the Baltic States and Lithuania, it was also easier to recognize the western states. However, the Vilnius region was also claimed. Dargi A convention was signed between the Soviets and Lithuania on August 6, 1920. On August 2, Lenin decided that it was necessary to return Vilnius to Lithuania. Since it is difficult to maintain the Vilnius region, it is necessary to comply with that agreement to demonstrate that the Soviets can reach an agreement with their neighbors, ”explained Z.Butkus.
Recognition in the West was facilitated, as the Russian Bolshevik authorities, although unrecognized, recognized the Baltic States and Lithuania, which was easier for Western states to recognize.
Photo from the personal archive of Jonas Pranckevičius / Aleksas Pranckevičius, volunteer volunteer for Jieznietis in 1919. volunteers
There was serious opposition
According to Č.Laurinavičius, after the end of the First World War, a new international structure was formed. Especially in Eastern Europe.
“The imperial structures of Iro and the nation-state system were formed. It can be said that from the first days after the war, the struggle between these two tendencies begins: the new nation-state system and the old imperial system” said the historian.
Photo by LRT / Česlovas Laurinavičius
According to Č.Laurinavičius, the Lithuanians were firmly determined to create their own nation-state.
In accordance with their program, wishes and possibilities, they found themselves in the field of the forces that were behind the creation of the national states.
“But, of course, there was very serious opposition against the Lithuanians. That fight takes place in 1919 and especially in 1920. This year is a kind of culmination of the fight,” said the LII chief investigator.
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