Polityka zagraniczna Litwy wobec Polski w latach 1918-1923

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: 20 amžius; Lenkija (Lenkijos karalystė. Kingdom of Poland. Poland); Politika; Diplomatija; Vilnius; The Lithuanian XX c. history; Politics; Diplomacy; Vilnius.

ENThe present study is an attempt to present - on the basis of historical facts - the policy adopted by Lithuania’s authorities towards the Polish state in the years 1918-1923, as well as the processes of making decisions and factors influencing them from the outside. The human factor, the leading Lithuanian politicians’ likings and antipathies, fairly frequently played a decisive role when making decisions concerning the Lithuanian people. It should be noted that the main task the Lithuanian diplomacy had at a given period, despite being recognized de iure, was to counter Polish authorities’ attempts to conclude a Lithuanian-Polish federation, as well as to strive after regaining Lithuania’s historical capital, Vilnius. The issues discussed here are bordered by two dates: that of regaining independence by Lithuania in 1918, and that of the decision of the Conference of Ambassadors of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers of 15 March 1923, recognizing the eastern borders of Poland, with Vilnius remaining within the Second Republic of Poland. The study attempts to answer the following questions: Was there a uniform policy towards Poland that was adopted by the Lithuanian authorities at the period? What factors influenced consolidation or weakening of Lithuania’s foreign policy towards Poland? In what way was the attitude towards their opponents expressed by the politicians of that time? [...]. [From the publication]