Guarding the honor of the nation and the prosperity of the state : national defense of Lithuania "Iron Wolf" (1928-1930)

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Fascism; Nationalism; Radicalism; Lithuania; Voldemaras; Smetona; Iron Wolf; Interwar.

ENThe radical right, semi-clandestine, and paramilitary organization called the National Defense of Lithuania "Iron Wolf" (1928–1930) is, perhaps, the best known and the only example of an attempt to introduce a fascist form of governance in interwar Lithuania. Established and controlled by the Lithuanian Nationalist Union (Lietuvių tautininkų sąjunga) authorities, its first and foremost task was to protect the new nationalist regime from its political opponents, spread propaganda, as well as report any acts of societal disloyalty and disobedience. The short-lived organization was shut down due to conflict between the highest authorities and the threat that ‘Iron Wolf’ was beginning to pose to President Smetona’s rule. [From the publication]

• Lietuvos tautinės apsaugos "Geležinis vilkas" Kauno grupės veiklos bruožai 1927-1930 m / Vytautas Petronis. Istorija. 2022, Nr. 125, p. 43-58.
• Opting for the national: the failure of the Lithuanian Committee for the Universality of Rome, 1934-1939 / Vytautas Petronis. Journal of Baltic studies. 2023, p. 1-18.