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| ==Background== | ==Background== | ||
| * see ] | * see ] | ||
| In aftermath of WWI, historical ] was divided |
In aftermath of WWI, historical ] was divided onto 3 parts. The easternmost part, with majority of ], Bellorusians with minorities of ] and ], was already called ]. The western part, ] and speaking baltic ] language, with significant Polish minority, established its independence in February ]. The central part, with capital ], populated mostly by Roman Catholics and speaking Polish and Bellorussian, was called Central Lithuania. | ||
| ==Conflict== | ==Conflict== | ||
Revision as of 20:42, 2 December 2003
Central Lithuania was a pseudo independent state, created in 1920 by allegedly rebelious soldiers of Lithuanian-Belorussian division of Polish army.
Background
In aftermath of WWI, historical Grand Duchy of Lithuania was divided onto 3 parts. The easternmost part, with majority of orthodox, Bellorusians with minorities of Poles and Jews, was already called Belorussia. The western part, Roman Catholic and speaking baltic lithuanian language, with significant Polish minority, established its independence in February 1918. The central part, with capital Vilnius, populated mostly by Roman Catholics and speaking Polish and Bellorussian, was called Central Lithuania.
Conflict
Following the start of Polish-Soviet war, in 1919 was occupied by Red Army that were pushed back by Polish Army. In 1920 was again occupied by Red Army, that officially recognized sovereignity of Lithuanian Soviet Republic over the city. Probably Lenin was waiting for capture of Warsaw, to occupy the rest of Lithuania. However, when Red Army was defeated in the Warsaw battle, Soviets made decision to hand over the city to Lithuania. The Polish commander Pilsudski was emotionally connected to the city, so he ordered his subordinate to rebel his and capture the city, without declaring the war on Lithuania.
Negotiations
Officially the new country, called Central Lithuania, that inlcuded also some neighbouring Belorusian territories. There were extensive dyplomatic negotiatiations behind the scenes. Lithuania proposed to make confederation of baltic Western Lithuania, with Lithuanian as an official language and Central Lithuania with Polish. Poland added a condition, that the new state must be also federated with Poland. There were no approval from Lithuanian side for it.
Resolution
After 1922 election, Polish majority of 65% voted for annexation of the country to Poland, that was never officially recognised by Lithuania. After Soviet-Nazi pact 1939 Lithuania was given the Vilnius County.