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{{Refimprove|date=December 2007}} {{Refimprove|date=December 2007}}
:''"Central Lithuania" redirects here. This is an article about a former state. For the geographical and historical region, see ].'' :''"Central Lithuania" redirects here. This is an article about a former state. For the geographical and historical region, see ].''
{{Infobox Former Country {{Infobox Former Country
|native_name = ''Vidurio Lietuvos Respublika''<small>(])</small><br/>''Republika Litwy Środkowej''<small>(])</small> |native_name = ''Vidurio Lietuvos Respublika''<small>(])</small><br/>''Republika Litwy Środkowej''<small>(])</small>
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|image_coat = |image_coat =
|image_map = Rzeczpospolita_Central_Lithuania.png |image_map = Rzeczpospolita_Central_Lithuania.png
|image_map_caption = Territory of so called Republic of Central Lithuania (green) |image_map_caption = Territory of the Republic of Central Lithuania (green)
|national_anthem = |national_anthem =
|capital = Vilnius |capital = Vilna (Wilno, Vilnius)
|government_type = Republic |government_type = Republic
|leader1 = Lucjan Żeligowski |leader1 = Lucjan Żeligowski
}} }}
The '''Republic of Central Lithuania''' or '''Middle Lithuania''' ({{lang-lt|Vidurio Lietuvos Respublika}}, {{lang-pl|Republika Litwy Środkowej}}, {{lang-be|Рэспубліка Сярэдняе Літвы / ''Respublika Siaredniaje Litvy''}}), or simply '''Central Lithuania''' ({{lang-lt|Vidurio Lietuva'' or ''Vidurinė Lietuva}}, {{lang-pl|Litwa Środkowa}}, {{lang-be|Сярэдняя Літва / ''Siaredniaja Litva''}}), was a short-lived ] which did not gain international recognition. It was created in ] following ] of soldiers of the ] of the ]. Centered around the historical capital of ], ] (Polish: Wilno, Lithuanian: Vilnius), the entity served as a ], for eighteen months, between ], upon which it depended, and Lithuania, which claimed the area.<ref name="von Rauch">{{en icon}} {{cite book | author =] | editor=Gerald Onn | title =The Baltic States: Years of Independence - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, 1917-40 | year =1974 | pages =100-102 | chapter =The Early Stages of Independence | chapterurl =http://books.google.com/books?id=emBIdi4LPz8C&pg=PA101&lpg=PA101&sig=SuiAqB2S7xpCFGxBIBfJ_hzbmGA|publisher =C. Hurst & Co|id =ISBN 0-903983-00-1 }}</ref> Finally, on ], ], following ] held there, it was annexed to Poland.


The '''Republic of Central Lithuania''' or '''Middle Lithuania''' ({{lang-lt|Vidurio Lietuvos Respublika}}, {{lang-pl|Republika Litwy Środkowej}}, {{lang-be|Рэспубліка Сярэдняе Літвы / ''Respublika Siaredniaje Litvy''}}), or simply '''Central Lithuania''' ({{lang-lt|Vidurio Lietuva'' or ''Vidurinė Lietuva}}, {{lang-pl|Litwa Środkowa}}, {{lang-be|Сярэдняя Літва / ''Siaredniaja Litva''}}), was a short-lived ] which did not gain international recognition. It was created in ] following ] of soldiers of the ] of the ]. Centered around the historical capital of ], ], the entity served as a ], for eighteen months, between ], upon which it depended, and Lithuania, which claimed the area.<ref name="von Rauch">{{en icon}} {{cite book | author =] | editor=Gerald Onn | title =The Baltic States: Years of Independence - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, 1917-40 | year =1974 | pages =100-102 | chapter =The Early Stages of Independence | chapterurl =http://books.google.com/books?id=emBIdi4LPz8C&pg=PA101&lpg=PA101&sig=SuiAqB2S7xpCFGxBIBfJ_hzbmGA|publisher =C. Hurst & Co|id =ISBN 0-903983-00-1 }}</ref> Finally, on ], ], following ] held there, it was annexed to Poland. The elections were not recognized by the ] nor the ]<ref name="League">{{cite book |last=Various authors | title=The Vilna problem |publisher=Lithuanian Information Bureau|location=London|year=1922|page=24-25}}</ref>. The final Polish-Lithuanian borders, while recognized by the ] of the ]<ref name="conference">{{en icon}} {{cite book | author =], ], ], ], M. Matsuda | coauthors = | title =Decision taken by the conference of ambassadors regarding the eastern frontiers of Poland | year =1923 | editor = | pages = | chapter = | chapterurl = | publisher =] | location = | isbn= | url =http://www.forost.ungarisches-institut.de/pdf/19230315-1.pdf | format =pdf | accessdate =2008-03-11 }}</ref><ref name="LoN">as published in: {{cite book | author =various authors | coauthors = | title =League of Nations, Treaty Series | year =1923 | editor = | pages =261-265 | publisher =League of Nations | location = | volume = 15 }}</ref>, were not recognized by the ] nor the ] as such<ref name="League">{{cite book |last=Various authors | title=The Vilna problem |publisher=Lithuanian Information Bureau|location=London|year=1922|page=24-25}}</ref>. It was not until ] that Poland and Lithuania restored ].

==Status== ==Status==
Most historians agree that the state was dependent on Poland, although they differ with regards to what extent. Some historians refer to Republic of Central Lithuania just as ''state'',<ref>For example: Timothy Snyder, ''The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, 1569-1999'', p.64; Jeffrey Shandler, ''Awakening Lives: Autobiographies of Jewish Youth in Poland Before the Holocaust'', p.xlvii; Adam Kantautas, Filomena Kantautas, ''A Lithuanian Bibliography: A Check-list of Books and Articles'', p.307; Lola Romanucci-Ross, Takeyuki Tsuda, ''Ethnic Identity: Problems And Prospects for the Twenty-first Century'', p.75''</ref> while others characterize it with various terms such as '']'',<ref name=Jerzy>]. Historical Dictionary of Poland, 966-1945. 1996, </ref><ref>Royal Institute of International Affairs.International Affairs.Vol.36, No. 3, 1960 p.354</ref> ''puppet Republic'',<ref>Walter Kolarz. Myths and Realities in Eastern Europe. 1946, p.109</ref> ''so-called state'',<ref>Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America.The Polish Review.1956, p.67</ref> ''artificial creation'',<ref>Alfonsas Eidintas, Vytautas Žalys. Lithuania in European Politics: The Years of the First Republic, 1918-1940. 1998, p.40</ref> ''sham'' state.<ref>Arū­nas Vyš­niaus­kas. The Genocide and Resistance Research Center of Lithuania, retrieved on 2007-12-16</ref> Most historians agree that the state was dependent on Poland, although they differ with regards to what extent. Some historians refer to Republic of Central Lithuania just as ''state'',<ref>For example: Timothy Snyder, ''The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, 1569-1999'', p.64; Jeffrey Shandler, ''Awakening Lives: Autobiographies of Jewish Youth in Poland Before the Holocaust'', p.xlvii; Adam Kantautas, Filomena Kantautas, ''A Lithuanian Bibliography: A Check-list of Books and Articles'', p.307; Lola Romanucci-Ross, Takeyuki Tsuda, ''Ethnic Identity: Problems And Prospects for the Twenty-first Century'', p.75''</ref> while others characterize it with various terms such as '']'',<ref name=Jerzy>]. Historical Dictionary of Poland, 966-1945. 1996, </ref><ref>Royal Institute of International Affairs.International Affairs.Vol.36, No. 3, 1960 p.354</ref> ''puppet Republic'',<ref>Walter Kolarz. Myths and Realities in Eastern Europe. 1946, p.109</ref> ''so-called state'',<ref>Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America.The Polish Review.1956, p.67</ref> ''artificial creation'',<ref>Alfonsas Eidintas, Vytautas Žalys. Lithuania in European Politics: The Years of the First Republic, 1918-1940. 1998, p.40</ref> ''sham'' state.<ref>Arū­nas Vyš­niaus­kas. The Genocide and Resistance Research Center of Lithuania, retrieved on 2007-12-16</ref>
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While Poland under ] attempted to rebuild a multi-national ] with a number of ethnically non-Polish territories (see ] federation), ] similarly strove to create a state in the historical lands of ] (see ] and ]), a state including ethnically non-Lithuanian territories. Lithuanian authorities, however, argued that the majority of inhabitants living there, even if they did not speak Lithuanian and considered themselves Poles, were ] (or ]) Lithuanians.<ref name="Łossowski13-16">{{pl icon}}], ''Konflikt polsko-litewski 1918-1920'' (The Polish-Lithuanian Conflict, 1918–1920), Warsaw, Książka i Wiedza, 1995, ISBN 8305127699, pp. 13-16.</ref> While Poland under ] attempted to rebuild a multi-national ] with a number of ethnically non-Polish territories (see ] federation), ] similarly strove to create a state in the historical lands of ] (see ] and ]), a state including ethnically non-Lithuanian territories. Lithuanian authorities, however, argued that the majority of inhabitants living there, even if they did not speak Lithuanian and considered themselves Poles, were ] (or ]) Lithuanians.<ref name="Łossowski13-16">{{pl icon}}], ''Konflikt polsko-litewski 1918-1920'' (The Polish-Lithuanian Conflict, 1918–1920), Warsaw, Książka i Wiedza, 1995, ISBN 8305127699, pp. 13-16.</ref>


Further complicating the situation, there were two Polish factions with quite different views on creation of the modern state in Poland. One party led by ] saw modern Poland as an ethnic state, another led by ] – as rebuilt ].<ref name="Snyder64">], ''The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, 1569-1999'', Yale University Press, 2003, ISBN 030010586X, </ref> Both parties were determined to take the Poles of Vilnius into the new state. Piłsudski attempted to rebuild the GDL in a ] structure, as part of the ] federation<ref name="Snyder64"/>: Further complicating the situation, there were two Polish factions with quite different views on creation of the modern state in Poland. One party led by ] saw modern Poland as an ethnic state, another led by ] – as rebuilt ].<ref name="Snyder64">], ''The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, 1569-1999'', Yale University Press, 2003, ISBN 030010586X, </ref> Both parties were determined to take the Poles of Vilna into the new state. Piłsudski attempted to rebuild the GDL in a ] structure, as part of the ] federation<ref name="Snyder64"/>:
*Lithuania of Kaunas with Lithuanian language *Lithuania of Kaunas with Lithuanian language
*Lithuania of Vilnius or Central Lithuania with Polish language *Lithuania of Vilna or Central Lithuania with Polish language
*Lithuania of Minsk with Belarusian language *Lithuania of Minsk with Belarusian language


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{{main|Polish-Lithuanian War|Żeligowski's Mutiny}} {{main|Polish-Lithuanian War|Żeligowski's Mutiny}}


With the decline of the ], the former area of ] was divided between ], ] and the ]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Following the start of the ], in ] the territory was occupied by the ] which defeated and pushed local self-defence units (]), but shortly afterwards the ] were pushed back by the ] (see ]). ] saw Vilnius surroundings occupied by the Red Army for the second time. However, when the Red Army was defeated in the ], the Soviets made the decision to hand the city back over to Lithuania (see ]). Lithuania seized the southern ] (Polish: ] region) as well. The rationale for this was that several parts of the region had clear Lithuanian ethnic majorities{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. When the Polish army reached the Lithuanian lines (], ]), ] erupted. With the decline of the ], the former area of ] was divided between ], ] and the ]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Following the start of the ], in ] the territory was occupied by the ] which defeated and pushed local self-defence units (]), but shortly afterwards the ] were pushed back by the ] (see ]). ] saw Vilna surroundings occupied by the Red Army for the second time. However, when the Red Army was defeated in the ], the Soviets made the decision to hand the city back over to Lithuania (see ]). Lithuania seized the southern ] (Polish: ] region) as well. The rationale for this was that several parts of the region had clear Lithuanian ethnic majorities{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. When the Polish army reached the Lithuanian lines (], ]), ] erupted.


This made the compromise even harder to achieve, since the newly-established state of Lithuania declined to negotiate on the status of the ] area, claiming it as its capital and denying any Polish influence over it, whatsoever{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. A cease-fire agreement was signed on ], ], but it did not solve the issue. On ], ], the Lithuanian and Polish delegations concluded a truce in ] (Lithuanian: ''Suvalkai''). It was agreed upon that the ] would take effect on 12:00 ], ]. The treaty determined a demarcation line, in which Vilnius was given to the Lithuania.<ref name=Zigmas>{{cite book | last = Zinkevičius | first = Zigmas | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Rytų Lietuva praeityje ir dabar | publisher = Vilnius: ] | date= 1993 | location = | pages = p.158| url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 5-420-01085-2 }}</ref> This made the compromise even harder to achieve, since the newly-established state of Lithuania declined to negotiate on the status of the ] area, claiming it as its capital and denying any Polish influence over it, whatsoever{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. A cease-fire agreement was signed on ], ], but it did not solve the issue. On ], ], the Lithuanian and Polish delegations concluded a truce in ] (Lithuanian: ''Suvalkai''). It was agreed upon that the ] would take effect on 12:00 ], ]. The treaty determined a demarcation line, in which Vilna was given to the Lithuania.<ref name=Zigmas>{{cite book | last = Zinkevičius | first = Zigmas | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Rytų Lietuva praeityje ir dabar | publisher = Vilna: ] | date= 1993 | location = | pages = p.158| url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 5-420-01085-2 }}</ref>


However a day before Suwałki treaty came into force, on ], General ] with his ] and the help of local Polish inhabitants ] on the weak Lithuanian forces in the area, and most of them retreated.<ref name="von Rauch"/> Poland disclaimed all knowledge of the action, maintaining that the General had acted on his own initiative.<ref name="von Rauch"/> Later, in August 1923 speaking in public at Wilno theater Piłsudski did admit that he did gave his direct orders to Żeligowski.<ref name="Venclova">{{en icon}} {{cite book | author =] | coauthors =]| title =Winter Dialogue | year =1999 | editor = | pages =146 | chapter = | chapterurl = | publisher =] Press | location = | id =ISBN 0-8101-1726-6 | url =http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0810117266&id=t0_mJNrytgsC&pg=PA146&lpg=PA146&dq=Zeligowski+state&sig=JCub-ySaV2MFWSBEUZtjCMIcJNM}}</ref> However a day before Suwałki treaty came into force, on ], General ] with his ] and the help of local Polish inhabitants ] on the weak Lithuanian forces in the area, and most of them retreated.<ref name="von Rauch"/> Poland disclaimed all knowledge of the action, maintaining that the General had acted on his own initiative.<ref name="von Rauch"/> Later, in August 1923 speaking in public at Wilno theater Piłsudski did admit that he did gave his direct orders to Żeligowski.<ref name="Venclova">{{en icon}} {{cite book | author =] | coauthors =]| title =Winter Dialogue | year =1999 | editor = | pages =146 | chapter = | chapterurl = | publisher =] Press | location = | id =ISBN 0-8101-1726-6 | url =http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0810117266&id=t0_mJNrytgsC&pg=PA146&lpg=PA146&dq=Zeligowski+state&sig=JCub-ySaV2MFWSBEUZtjCMIcJNM}}</ref>
Instead of annexing the areas to Poland, Żeligowski set up a new state under the name of the Republic of Central Lithuania. Most historians agree that the state was dependent on Poland, although they disagree to what extent (Polish historian ] calls it a ], although this term is not used in majority of publications<ref name=Jerzy>]. Historical Dictionary of Poland, 966-1945. 1996, </ref>) This action cut off solid Lithuanian speaking lands lying southwest and northeast from Slavicized Vilnius vicinage and linguistic islands surrounding the Vilnius vicinage and stretching southeastward from Lithuania.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} Lithuanian culture in the territory was swept and the revival of language disrupted.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} Instead of annexing the areas to Poland, Żeligowski set up a new state under the name of the Republic of Central Lithuania. Most historians agree that the state was dependent on Poland, although they disagree to what extent (Polish historian ] calls it a ], although this term is not used in majority of publications<ref name=Jerzy>]. Historical Dictionary of Poland, 966-1945. 1996, </ref>) This action cut off solid Lithuanian speaking lands lying southwest and northeast from Slavicized Vilna vicinage and linguistic islands surrounding the Vilna vicinage and stretching southeastward from Lithuania.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} Lithuanian culture in the territory was swept and the revival of language disrupted.{{Fact|date=December 2007}}


The fighting between Kaunas and Central Lithuanian continued for a few weeks (see ]), but neither side was able to gain significant advantage, and with the mediation from the League of Nations, ceasefire was signed on November 21 and truce on November 27.<ref name="Łoss216-218">], ''Konflikt polsko-litewski 1918-1920'', p.216-218</ref> The fighting between Kaunas and Central Lithuanian continued for a few weeks (see ]), but neither side was able to gain significant advantage, and with the mediation from the League of Nations, ceasefire was signed on November 21 and truce on November 27.<ref name="Łoss216-218">], ''Konflikt polsko-litewski 1918-1920'', p.216-218</ref>
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] were decreed to take place on ], ], and the regulations governing this election were to be issued prior to ], ]. However, due to the ] mediation, and the Lithuanian ] of the voting, the elections were postponed.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} ] were decreed to take place on ], ], and the regulations governing this election were to be issued prior to ], ]. However, due to the ] mediation, and the Lithuanian ] of the voting, the elections were postponed.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}

The final Polish-Lithuanian borders, while recognized by the ] of the ]<ref name="conference">{{en icon}} {{cite book | author =], ], ], ], M. Matsuda | coauthors = | title =Decision taken by the conference of ambassadors regarding the eastern frontiers of Poland | year =1923 | editor = | pages = | chapter = | chapterurl = | publisher =] | location = | isbn= | url =http://www.forost.ungarisches-institut.de/pdf/19230315-1.pdf | format =pdf | accessdate =2008-03-11 }}</ref><ref name="LoN">as published in: {{cite book | author =various authors | coauthors = | title =League of Nations, Treaty Series | year =1923 | editor = | pages =261-265 | publisher =League of Nations | location = | volume = 15 }}</ref>, were not recognized by the ] nor the ] as such<ref name="League">{{cite book |last=Various authors | title=The Vilna problem |publisher=Lithuanian Information Bureau|location=London|year=1922|page=24-25}}</ref>.¶


===Mediation=== ===Mediation===
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Meanwhile in ] peace talks were held under the auspice of the ]. The initial agreement had been signed by both sides on ], ], and the talks started on ], ]. The ] considered the Polish proposal of a ] on the future of Central Lithuania. As a compromise, the so called "Hymans' plan" was proposed (named after the ] envoy to the conference). It consisted of 15 points, among them were{{Fact|date=February 2007}}: Meanwhile in ] peace talks were held under the auspice of the ]. The initial agreement had been signed by both sides on ], ], and the talks started on ], ]. The ] considered the Polish proposal of a ] on the future of Central Lithuania. As a compromise, the so called "Hymans' plan" was proposed (named after the ] envoy to the conference). It consisted of 15 points, among them were{{Fact|date=February 2007}}:
*Both sides guarantee each other's independence. *Both sides guarantee each other's independence.
*Central Lithuania is incorporated into the Federation of Lithuania, composed of two ] - the Lithuanian-inhabitated ] and multiethnic (], Tatars, ], ] and ]) Wilno area. Both cantons will have separate governments, parliaments, ]s and a common federative capital in Vilnius/Wilno.<ref name="Geouffre de Lapradelle">{{en icon}} {{cite book|author =] | coauthors =André Nicolayévitch Mandelstam, Louis Le Fur | title =The Vilna Question | year =1929| pages =15-18 | publisher =Hazell, Watson & Viney, ld. | location =London | url =http://books.google.com/books?vid=LCCN30006203&id=8DO6_mnXAO4C&q=Zeligowski+state&dq=Zeligowski+state&pgis=1 }}</ref> *Central Lithuania is incorporated into the Federation of Lithuania, composed of two ] - the Lithuanian-inhabitated ] and multiethnic (], Tatars, ], ] and ]) Wilno area. Both cantons will have separate governments, parliaments, ]s and a common federative capital in Vilna/Wilno.<ref name="Geouffre de Lapradelle">{{en icon}} {{cite book|author =] | coauthors =André Nicolayévitch Mandelstam, Louis Le Fur | title =The Vilna Question | year =1929| pages =15-18 | publisher =Hazell, Watson & Viney, ld. | location =London | url =http://books.google.com/books?vid=LCCN30006203&id=8DO6_mnXAO4C&q=Zeligowski+state&dq=Zeligowski+state&pgis=1 }}</ref>
*Lithuanian and Polish governments will create interstate commissions on both foreign affairs, trade and industry measures and local policies. *Lithuanian and Polish governments will create interstate commissions on both foreign affairs, trade and industry measures and local policies.
*Poland and Lithuania will sign a defensive alliance treaty. *Poland and Lithuania will sign a defensive alliance treaty.
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The plan was more or less acceptable for both sides. The talks came to a halt when Poland demanded that a delegation from Central Lithuania (boycotted by Lithuania) be invited to ]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. On the other hand Lithuanians demanded that the troops in Central Lithuania be relocated to the line of the ], ] cease-fire agreement{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Both claims were a step too far. The plan was more or less acceptable for both sides. The talks came to a halt when Poland demanded that a delegation from Central Lithuania (boycotted by Lithuania) be invited to ]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. On the other hand Lithuanians demanded that the troops in Central Lithuania be relocated to the line of the ], ] cease-fire agreement{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Both claims were a step too far.


A new plan was presented to the governments of Lithuania and Poland in September ]. It was basically a modification of "Hymans' plan", with the difference that the ] (the area between the Memel/] and the town of Memel/]) was to be incorporated into Lithuania while Central Lithuania was to be granted a certain level of internal autonomy instead of a ] status{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. However, both Poland and Lithuania openly criticized it and finally this turn of talks came to a halt as well{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. A new plan was presented to the governments of Lithuania and Poland in September ]. It was basically a modification of "Hymans' plan", with the difference that the ] (the area between the Memel/] and the town of Memel/]) was to be incorporated into Lithuania while Central Lithuania was to be granted a certain level of internal autonomy instead of a ] status{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. However, both Poland and Lithuania openly criticized it and finally this turn of talks came to a halt as well{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.


===Resolution=== ===Resolution===
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The elections were not recognized by ]. Polish factions, which gained control over the parliament (Sejm) of the Republic, on ] passed the request of incorporation into ] had been passed{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, accepted by Polish ] on ], ]. All of Republic's territory was eventually incorporated into the newly-formed ]. The elections were not recognized by ]. Polish factions, which gained control over the parliament (Sejm) of the Republic, on ] passed the request of incorporation into ] had been passed{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, accepted by Polish ] on ], ]. All of Republic's territory was eventually incorporated into the newly-formed ].


Lithuania declined to accept the Polish authority over the area of Wilno. Instead, it continued to treat the so-called ] as part of its own territory and the city itself as its constitutional capital, with ] being only a ]. Lithuania declined to accept the Polish authority over the area of Wilno. Instead, it continued to treat the so-called ] as part of its own territory and the city itself as its constitutional capital, with ] being only a ].


===Aftermath=== ===Aftermath===
It was not until the Polish ultimatum of ], when the Lithuanian authorities acquiesced to resume diplomatic relations with Poland, and '']'' accepted the borders of its neighbour{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. After the ] and the ] of 1939, Lithuania was given ], and its surroundings up to 30 km, on ], ]. A part of the region was given to the ].{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Lithuanian success was however short-lived: soon afterwards, Lithuania was forced to become the ]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. It was not until the Polish ultimatum of ], when the Lithuanian authorities acquiesced to resume diplomatic relations with Poland, and '']'' accepted the borders of its neighbour{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. After the ] and the ] of 1939, Lithuania was given ], and its surroundings up to 30 km, on ], ]. A part of the region was given to the ].{{Fact|date=February 2007}} Lithuanian success was however short-lived: soon afterwards, Lithuania was forced to become the ]{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.


== See also == == See also ==
* ] * ]
* ] * ]


==Notes and references== ==Notes and references==
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* *
* *
* *
* *
* {{de icon}} * {{de icon}}

Revision as of 18:46, 11 March 2008

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"Central Lithuania" redirects here. This is an article about a former state. For the geographical and historical region, see Vilna Region.
Republic of Central LithuaniaVidurio Lietuvos Respublika(lt)
Republika Litwy Środkowej(pl)
1920–1922
Flag of Central Lithuania Flag
Territory of the Republic of Central Lithuania (green)Territory of the Republic of Central Lithuania (green)
CapitalVilna (Wilno, Vilnius)
GovernmentRepublic
Historical eraInterwar period
• Żeligowski's Mutiny October 12 1920
• Election in Central Lithuania March 24 1922
Preceded by Succeeded by
Lithuania
Poland
Second Polish Republic

The Republic of Central Lithuania or Middle Lithuania (Template:Lang-lt, Template:Lang-pl, Template:Lang-be), or simply Central Lithuania (Template:Lang-lt, Template:Lang-pl, Template:Lang-be), was a short-lived state which did not gain international recognition. It was created in 1920 following the staged rebellion of soldiers of the 1st Lithuanian-Belarusian Infantry Division of the Polish Army. Centered around the historical capital of Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Vilna (Polish: Wilno, Lithuanian: Vilnius), the entity served as a buffer state, for eighteen months, between Poland, upon which it depended, and Lithuania, which claimed the area. Finally, on March 24, 1922, following the general elections held there, it was annexed to Poland.

The final Polish-Lithuanian borders, while recognized by the Conference of Ambassadors of the Entente, were not recognized by the Republic of Lithuania nor the League of Nations as such. It was not until 1938 that Poland and Lithuania restored diplomatic relations.

Status

Most historians agree that the state was dependent on Poland, although they differ with regards to what extent. Some historians refer to Republic of Central Lithuania just as state, while others characterize it with various terms such as puppet state, puppet Republic, so-called state, artificial creation, sham state.

History

Ethnic and national background

Main article: Ethnic composition of Central Lithuania

Following the decline of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in late 18th century, the state had been divided among its neighbours in what is known as the partitions of Poland. Most of the lands that formerly constituted the Grand Duchy of Lithuania were annexed by the Russian Empire. The Imperial government increasingly pursued a policy of both political and cultural assimilation of the newly-acquired lands (Russification). The failed January Uprising of 1864 further aggravated the situation, as the Russian authorities decided to pursue the policies of forcibly imposed Russification. The discrimination of local inhabitants included restrictions and outright bans on usage of Polish, Lithuanian (see Lithuanian press ban), Belorussian and Ukrainian (see Valuyev circular) languages. This has however not stopped the Polonization effort undertaken by the Polish patriotic leadership of the Vilna educational district even within the Russian Empire. Also, from the late 19th century, the Lithuanian National Revival increased the national awareness among Lithuanians.

Piłsudski's bi-lingual Appeal to the citizens of former Grand Duchy of Lithuania of April 1919

The national composition of the latter area is difficult to measure as censuses from that time and place are often unreliable. According to the first census of the Russian Empire, 1897, the population of the Vilna Governorate was distributed as follows.

The 1916 German census of the Vilna region; however, reported strikingly different numbers.

  • Poles - 58.0%
  • Lithuanians - 18.5%
  • Jews - 14.7%
  • Belarusians - 6.4%
  • Russians - 1.2%
  • Other - 1.2%

Aftermath of WWI

Policies

In the aftermath of the First World War, both Poland and Lithuania regained independence. The conflict between them soon arose as both Lithuania and Poland claimed Vilnius (known in Polish as Wilno) region.

While Poland under Józef Pilsudski attempted to rebuild a multi-national Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with a number of ethnically non-Polish territories (see Międzymorze federation), Lithuania similarly strove to create a state in the historical lands of Grand Duchy of Lithuania (see Lithuania proper and ethnographic Lithuania), a state including ethnically non-Lithuanian territories. Lithuanian authorities, however, argued that the majority of inhabitants living there, even if they did not speak Lithuanian and considered themselves Poles, were Polonized (or Russified) Lithuanians.

Further complicating the situation, there were two Polish factions with quite different views on creation of the modern state in Poland. One party led by Roman Dmowski saw modern Poland as an ethnic state, another led by Józef Piłsudski – as rebuilt Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Both parties were determined to take the Poles of Vilna into the new state. Piłsudski attempted to rebuild the GDL in a canton structure, as part of the Międzymorze federation:

  • Lithuania of Kaunas with Lithuanian language
  • Lithuania of Vilna or Central Lithuania with Polish language
  • Lithuania of Minsk with Belarusian language

Eventually, Piłsudski's plan failed; it was opposed both by the Lithuanian government in Kaunas, and by the Dmowski faction, whose representative - Stanisław Grabski - was in charge of the Treaty of Riga negotiations with the Soviet Union, in which they rejected the Soviet offer of territories needed for the Minsk canton (Dmowski preferred Poland that would be smaller, but with higher percentage of ethnic Poles).

Polish-Lithuanian War

Main articles: Polish-Lithuanian War and Żeligowski's Mutiny

With the decline of the Ober-Ost, the former area of Grand Duchy of Lithuania was divided between Republic of Poland, Belarusian National Republic and the Republic of Lithuania. Following the start of the Polish-Soviet War, in 1919 the territory was occupied by the Red Army which defeated and pushed local self-defence units (Lithuanian and Belarusian Self-Defence), but shortly afterwards the Bolsheviks were pushed back by the Polish Army (see Vilna offensive). 1920 saw Vilna surroundings occupied by the Red Army for the second time. However, when the Red Army was defeated in the Battle of Warsaw, the Soviets made the decision to hand the city back over to Lithuania (see Soviet-Lithuanian Treaty of 1920). Lithuania seized the southern Suvalkai region (Polish: Suwałki region) as well. The rationale for this was that several parts of the region had clear Lithuanian ethnic majorities. When the Polish army reached the Lithuanian lines (August 26, 1920), a war erupted.

This made the compromise even harder to achieve, since the newly-established state of Lithuania declined to negotiate on the status of the Vilna area, claiming it as its capital and denying any Polish influence over it, whatsoever. A cease-fire agreement was signed on October 7, 1920, but it did not solve the issue. On October 7, 1920, the Lithuanian and Polish delegations concluded a truce in Suwałki (Lithuanian: Suvalkai). It was agreed upon that the Suwałki Agreement would take effect on 12:00 October 10, 1920. The treaty determined a demarcation line, in which Vilna was given to the Lithuania.

However a day before Suwałki treaty came into force, on October 8, General Lucjan Żeligowski with his 1st Lithuanian-Belarusian Infantry Division and the help of local Polish inhabitants launched a surprise attack on the weak Lithuanian forces in the area, and most of them retreated. Poland disclaimed all knowledge of the action, maintaining that the General had acted on his own initiative. Later, in August 1923 speaking in public at Wilno theater Piłsudski did admit that he did gave his direct orders to Żeligowski. Instead of annexing the areas to Poland, Żeligowski set up a new state under the name of the Republic of Central Lithuania. Most historians agree that the state was dependent on Poland, although they disagree to what extent (Polish historian Jerzy J. Lerski calls it a puppet state, although this term is not used in majority of publications) This action cut off solid Lithuanian speaking lands lying southwest and northeast from Slavicized Vilna vicinage and linguistic islands surrounding the Vilna vicinage and stretching southeastward from Lithuania. Lithuanian culture in the territory was swept and the revival of language disrupted.

The fighting between Kaunas and Central Lithuanian continued for a few weeks (see Żeligowski's Mutiny), but neither side was able to gain significant advantage, and with the mediation from the League of Nations, ceasefire was signed on November 21 and truce on November 27.

Republic of Central Lithuania

A new country was created under the name of the Republic of Central Lithuania. After the staged mutiny, Lucjan Żeligowski, proclaimed an uprising of local people. On October 12, 1920, he announced the creation of a provisional government. Soon the courts and the police were formed by his decree of January 7, 1921, and the civil rights of Central Lithuania were granted to all people living in the area on January 1, 1919, or for five years prior to August 1, 1914.

The symbols of the state were a red flag with Polish White Eagle and Lithuanian Vytis and a coat of arms being a mixture of Polish, Lithuanian and Vilnian symbols, similar to the Coat of Arms of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Extensive diplomatic negotiations continued behind the scenes. Lithuania proposed creating a confederation of Baltic Western Lithuania (with Lithuanian as an official language) and Central Lithuania (with Polish as an official language). Poland added the condition that the new state must be also federated with Poland, pursuing the Józef Piłsudski's goal of creating the Międzymorze Federation. Lithuanians chose to reject this condition. With nationalistic sentiments rising all over Europe, many Lithuanians were afraid that such a federation, resembling the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth from centuries ago, would be a threat to Lithuanian culture, as during the Commonwealth times the many of the of Lithuanian nobility Polonized themselves under the influence of the Polish culture.

General elections in Central Lithuania were decreed to take place on January 9, 1921, and the regulations governing this election were to be issued prior to November 28, 1920. However, due to the League of Nations mediation, and the Lithuanian boycott of the voting, the elections were postponed.

Mediation

Selected demarcation lines during the struggle for central Lithuania

Meanwhile in Brussels peace talks were held under the auspice of the League of Nations. The initial agreement had been signed by both sides on November 29, 1920, and the talks started on March 3, 1921. The League of Nations considered the Polish proposal of a plebiscite on the future of Central Lithuania. As a compromise, the so called "Hymans' plan" was proposed (named after the Belgian envoy to the conference). It consisted of 15 points, among them were:

  • Both sides guarantee each other's independence.
  • Central Lithuania is incorporated into the Federation of Lithuania, composed of two cantons - the Lithuanian-inhabitated Samogitia and multiethnic (Belarusian, Tatars, Polish, Jewish and Lithuanian) Wilno area. Both cantons will have separate governments, parliaments, official languages and a common federative capital in Vilna/Wilno.
  • Lithuanian and Polish governments will create interstate commissions on both foreign affairs, trade and industry measures and local policies.
  • Poland and Lithuania will sign a defensive alliance treaty.
  • Poland will gain usage of ports in Lithuania.

The plan was more or less acceptable for both sides. The talks came to a halt when Poland demanded that a delegation from Central Lithuania (boycotted by Lithuania) be invited to Brussels. On the other hand Lithuanians demanded that the troops in Central Lithuania be relocated to the line of the October 7, 1920 cease-fire agreement. Both claims were a step too far.

A new plan was presented to the governments of Lithuania and Poland in September 1921. It was basically a modification of "Hymans' plan", with the difference that the Memel Territory (the area between the Memel/Neman River and the town of Memel/Klaipeda) was to be incorporated into Lithuania while Central Lithuania was to be granted a certain level of internal autonomy instead of a cantonal status. However, both Poland and Lithuania openly criticized it and finally this turn of talks came to a halt as well.

Resolution

Ribbon of the Cross of Military Merit of Central Lithuania

After the talks in Brussels failed, the tensions in the area grew. The most important issue was the huge army Central Lithuania fielded (27,000). General Lucjan Żeligowski decided to pass the power to the civil authorities and confirmed the date of the elections (January 8 1922). There was a significant electional propaganda campaign over the issue of the elections as both Poles tried to win the support of other ethnic groups present in the area, there are also accusations of various strong-arm policies on the part of Polish government (like closing of Lithuanian newspapers or frauds like not asking for a valid document of a voter).

The elections where boycotted by Lithuanians, most of the Jews and some Belarusians; a certain percentage had doubts over whether they should vote. Poles were the only major ethnic group out of which the majority of people voted.

The elections were not recognized by Lithuania. Polish factions, which gained control over the parliament (Sejm) of the Republic, on February 20 passed the request of incorporation into Poland had been passed, accepted by Polish Sejm on March 22, 1922. All of Republic's territory was eventually incorporated into the newly-formed Wilno Voivodeship.

Lithuania declined to accept the Polish authority over the area of Wilno. Instead, it continued to treat the so-called Vilna Region as part of its own territory and the city itself as its constitutional capital, with Kaunas being only a temporary seat of government.

Aftermath

It was not until the Polish ultimatum of 1938, when the Lithuanian authorities acquiesced to resume diplomatic relations with Poland, and de facto accepted the borders of its neighbour. After the Soviet-Nazi pact and the Polish Defensive War of 1939, Lithuania was given Vilna, and its surroundings up to 30 km, on October 10, 1939. A part of the region was given to the Belarusian SSR. Lithuanian success was however short-lived: soon afterwards, Lithuania was forced to become the Lithuanian SSR.

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ Template:En icon Georg von Rauch (1974). "The Early Stages of Independence". In Gerald Onn (ed.). The Baltic States: Years of Independence - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, 1917-40. C. Hurst & Co. pp. 100–102. ISBN 0-903983-00-1. {{cite book}}: External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
  2. Template:En icon Eric Phipps, Romano Avezzana, Raymond Poincaré, Maurycy Zamoyski, M. Matsuda (1923). Decision taken by the conference of ambassadors regarding the eastern frontiers of Poland (pdf). League of Nations. Retrieved 2008-03-11. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |chapterurl= and |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. as published in: various authors (1923). League of Nations, Treaty Series. Vol. 15. League of Nations. pp. 261–265. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. Various authors (1922). The Vilna problem. London: Lithuanian Information Bureau. p. 24-25.
  5. For example: Timothy Snyder, The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, 1569-1999, p.64; Jeffrey Shandler, Awakening Lives: Autobiographies of Jewish Youth in Poland Before the Holocaust, p.xlvii; Adam Kantautas, Filomena Kantautas, A Lithuanian Bibliography: A Check-list of Books and Articles, p.307; Lola Romanucci-Ross, Takeyuki Tsuda, Ethnic Identity: Problems And Prospects for the Twenty-first Century, p.75
  6. ^ Jerzy J. Lerski. Historical Dictionary of Poland, 966-1945. 1996, Google Print, p.309
  7. Royal Institute of International Affairs.International Affairs.Vol.36, No. 3, 1960 p.354
  8. Walter Kolarz. Myths and Realities in Eastern Europe. 1946, p.109
  9. Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America.The Polish Review.1956, p.67
  10. Alfonsas Eidintas, Vytautas Žalys. Lithuania in European Politics: The Years of the First Republic, 1918-1940. 1998, p.40
  11. Arū­nas Vyš­niaus­kas. Pirmoji sovietinė okupacija ir genocidas Lietuvoje 1940–1941 m. The Genocide and Resistance Research Center of Lithuania, retrieved on 2007-12-16
  12. Aviel Roshwald, Ethnic Nationalism and the Fall of Empires: Central Europe, Russia and the Middle East, 1914-1923, Routledge, 2001, ISBN 0415178932, Google Print, p.24
  13. Anna Geifman, Russia Under the Last Tsar: Opposition and Subversion, 1894-1917, Blackwell Publishing, 1999, ISBN 1557869952, Google Print, p.116
  14. Tomas Venclova, Four Centuries of Enlightment. A Historic View of the University of Vilnius, 1579-1979, Lituanus, Volume 27, No.1 - Summer 1981
  15. Rev. Stasys Yla, The Clash of Nationalities at the University of Vilnius, Lituanus, Volume 27, No.1 - Summer 1981
  16. The Lithuanian language and nation through the ages: Outline of a history of Lithuanian in its social context William R. Schmalstieg, Lituanus, 1989.
  17. Template:Pl iconPiotr Łossowski, Konflikt polsko-litewski 1918-1920 (The Polish-Lithuanian Conflict, 1918–1920), Warsaw, Książka i Wiedza, 1995, ISBN 8305127699, pp. 11.
  18. Template:Ru icon
  19. Template:Pl icon Michał Eustachy Brensztejn (1919). Spisy ludności m. Wilna za okupacji niemieckiej od. 1 listopada 1915 r. Biblioteka Delegacji Rad Polskich Litwy i Białej Rusi, Warsaw.
  20. Template:Pl iconPiotr Łossowski, Konflikt polsko-litewski 1918-1920 (The Polish-Lithuanian Conflict, 1918–1920), Warsaw, Książka i Wiedza, 1995, ISBN 8305127699, pp. 13-16.
  21. ^ Timothy Snyder, The Reconstruction of Nations: Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, 1569-1999, Yale University Press, 2003, ISBN 030010586X, Google Print, p.65
  22. Zinkevičius, Zigmas (1993). Rytų Lietuva praeityje ir dabar. Vilna: Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidykla. pp. p.158. ISBN 5-420-01085-2. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  23. Template:En icon Tomas Venclova (1999). Winter Dialogue. Northwestern University Press. p. 146. ISBN 0-8101-1726-6. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  24. Piotr Łossowski, Konflikt polsko-litewski 1918-1920, p.216-218
  25. Template:En icon Albert Geouffre de Lapradelle (1929). The Vilna Question. London: Hazell, Watson & Viney, ld. pp. 15–18. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  26. Čepėnas, Pranas. Naujųjų laikų Lietuvos istorija. Chicago: Dr. Griniaus fondas.
  27. Various authors (1924). Documents diplomatiques. Conflit Polono-Lituanien. Questions de Vilna 1918-1924.
  28. Zigmantas Kiaupa. The History of Lithuania. 2002, 2004. ISBN 9955-584-87-4

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