One Million Signatures: Lithuanian Americans’ Campaign for the US Recognition of Lithuania, 1919–21

• In Event: The Development of Baltic Public Diplomacy: Transitioning from Uncoordinated to Coordinated, 1915–23

Abstract

"One Million Signatures" explores a remarkable coordinated public diplomacy campaign by Lithuanian Americans from 1919 to 1921 to secure the recognition of an independent Lithuania by the United States. Through archival documents, published texts and expert commentary, it examines the extensive efforts of Lithuanian Americans tasked with collecting one million signatures from US citizens to support Lithuanian sovereignty. Linked to Carl Robert Byoir's promotion of the Lithuanian cause, the signatures aimed to convey a powerful message to the US government.

Despite numerous appeals by Lithuanian Americans and the collection of thousands of signatures nationwide, President Woodrow Wilson's Administration remained unresponsive during the 1920 presidential campaign. The initiative to collect one million signatures was supported by Republicans in opposition to Democrats supporting Wilson. The turning point came with the election of Republican President Warren Harding in November 1920. On May 31, 1921, Lithuanian Americans, along with Latvian and Estonian representatives, met with President Harding and Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes at the White House. They presented a petition signed by approximately one million American citizens, leaving a profound impression on the American leadership.

Lithuania's recognition remained uncertain, with Harding providing no explicit indications of his government's future steps. Nevertheless, the presentation of the petition marked a significant moment in the Lithuanian Americans' public diplomacy efforts to gain recognition for an independent Lithuania. It underscored the influential role of public opinion in shaping diplomatic decisions during that period.

Author

• Piotr Szlaużys, University of Bialystok