Polish perspectives on Lithuania during the Great War

• In Event: World War I and the Post-War Period in the Eastern Baltics (I)

Abstract

The development of the Lithuanian national movement at the turn of the 20th century raised some tensions and disagreements between Poles and Lithuanians concerning their political future, particularly among inhabitants of the historic lands of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, then under the Russian Empire.

The dominant Polish narrative before and during the Great War was the idea to rebuild an independent state of Poland closely associated with the historical territory of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The main Polish leadership and Poles in general did not discuss the Lithuanian aspirations, nor foresee a creation of a fully independent state ruled by Lithuanians themselves. Two key figures, namely Józef Piłsudski (with his concept of federation) and Roman Dmowski (with the idea of incorporation) dominated the discourse on the fate of Lithuania and its future place and association with Poland.
In order to understand the context of these perspectives it is useful to examine the role of cultural traditions, in particular the literary output, which was of major importance in shaping Polish sentiments, approaches and visions of Lithuania and its political future. The proclamation of independence of Lithuania in February1918 and establishing independent Poland raised a strong political controversy between the two neighboring states over Wilno (Vilnius) Region and the shape of Polish-Lithuanian border. The escalated tensions resulted in a local conflict and fighting between Poles and Lithuanians in 1919-1920.

Author

• Halina Parafianowicz, University of Białystok