Lithuania and Poland
The Kingdom of Lithuania
Before the formation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1386, Lithuania had a deep and colorful history.
During the Middle Ages, the land that would become Lithuania was home to a patchwork of Baltic tribes, including the Curonians, Semigallians, Selonians, among others. These tribes would eventually merge into two larger groups: the western Lithuanians and the eastern Aukštaitijans.
The formation of Lithuanian identity began in earnest during this time, due in large part to external threats. The Teutonic Knights and the Sword Brethren, Christian crusaders from the west, launched a campaign of conversion and conquest in the Baltic region. In response, the Lithuanian tribes consolidated their strength and resisted these invasions.
The 13th century marked a pivotal moment in Lithuanian history with the coronation of King Mindaugas. Recognized by the Pope, Mindaugas converted to Christianity, at least publicly, to protect his lands from the Christian crusaders. His kingdom, however, didn't last long after his death, but his reign was a critical step in establishing the resilience of Lithuania.
Following Mindaugas's rule, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania emerged. In the 14th century, Grand Duke Gediminas expanded Lithuanian territories and founded the city of Vilnius. He is often credited with setting the stage for a golden age in Lithuanian history, marked by significant cultural and economic growth.
This period of expansion continued under the rule of his successors, Grand Duke Algirdas and Vytautas the Great. By the end of the 14th century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania had become one of the largest political entities in Europe, spanning from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea.
The subsequent formation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1386 marked a significant change in Lithuania's history.
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The initiation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1386 was a strategic response to the rising threats from the Teutonic Knights and the Grand Duchy of Moscow. This union was officially established following the marriage of Lithuania's Grand Duke Jogaila (Władysław II Jagiełło of Poland) to Queen Jadwiga of Poland. Subsequently, Jogaila converted to Catholicism, bringing Christianity to Lithuania, and was crowned King of Poland.
The Commonwealth's political structure was a remarkable experiment in joint governance. It was essentially a bi-confederal union, combining elements of a federation and a confederation, with a shared monarch and an elected parliament, the Sejm. This model allowed Lithuania to maintain a degree of autonomy, preserving its distinct political and cultural identity while being part of a powerful alliance. This unique political framework represented a pioneering example of power-sharing in an age characterized by absolute monarchies.
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth thrived economically. Trade routes running through its territory connected Western Europe with the East, leading to prosperity. The cities flourished, with Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, becoming a significant center of commerce and learning. The growth in trade brought wealth to the Commonwealth and its people, leading to a surge in cultural and intellectual activity.
In terms of religion, the Commonwealth was a beacon of tolerance in a time when religious conflict was widespread in Europe. The Warsaw Confederation of 1573, although slightly beyond the 16th century, formalized this principle, granting all citizens freedom of religious belief and practice. This policy attracted religious refugees from all corners of Europe, contributing to the Commonwealth's cultural and intellectual diversity.
Culturally, the 15th and 16th centuries marked a period of significant development and exchange in the Commonwealth. Known as the Golden Age, this period witnessed a fusion of Polish and Lithuanian cultures, leading to a remarkable cultural synthesis. The Lithuanian nobility adopted the Polish language and customs, while Poland was influenced by Lithuanian cultural aspects.
The Commonwealth was one of the largest and most populous countries of 16th to 17th-century Europe, encompassing present-day Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Latvia, parts of Estonia, and Russia. The state's uniquely decentralized political structure — featuring a joint monarchy and an elective system — allowed the preservation of Lithuania's distinct political identity while sharing governance with Poland.
Despite its broad geographical reach and unique political structure, the Commonwealth was not free from strife. The pressures of external conflicts, religious differences, and internal discord posed significant challenges. The Commonwealth faced numerous wars against the Ottoman Empire, the Tsardom of Russia, and Sweden, which heavily strained its resources and population.
However, the later part of the 17th century and the 18th century saw a steady decline of the Commonwealth, wrought by incessant wars, internal conflicts, poor governance, and eventually, partitions by surrounding powers. Despite reform attempts, such as the Constitution of May 3, 1791 — Europe's first codified constitution and the second in the world after the United States — the Commonwealth was unable to sustain itself. The partitions of Poland-Lithuania by Prussia, Austria, and Russia in 1772, 1793, and 1795 marked the end of the Commonwealth and the beginning of a long period of foreign rule for Lithuania.
Lithuanian-Polish relations after the Commonwealth
With the partitions of the Commonwealth by Russia, Prussia, and Austria in the late 18th century, Lithuania ceased to be a separate entity and became an integral part of the Russian Empire. This marked the onset of a period of intense Russification and marginalization of Lithuanian culture and identity. Efforts to suppress the Lithuanian language and the Catholic faith were particularly pronounced under Tsar Nicholas I.
However, such measures engendered a counter-reaction, culminating in the November Uprising of 1830-31 and the January Uprising of 1863-64. Despite their ultimate failure, these uprisings fostered a national consciousness among Lithuanians. Paradoxically, the oppressions of the Russian regime fueled a resilient Lithuanian cultural nationalism that kept the spirit of independence alive.
It was during this period of political turmoil and cultural resistance that the Lithuanian press ban (1864-1904) came into effect, which prohibited the publication of Lithuanian texts in the Latin alphabet. The ban propelled the emergence of the 'knygnešiai' or 'book-carriers,' who covertly distributed Lithuanian language books, printed in East Prussia, back to Lithuania. The book-carriers played a crucial role in preserving Lithuanian culture and language during this period of Russian dominance.
The upheaval caused by the First World War and the subsequent Russian Revolution provided an opportunity for Lithuania to reestablish its independence. On February 16, 1918, the Council of Lithuania declared the restoration of an independent Lithuanian state, marking the end of more than a century of foreign rule.
However, the path towards statehood for both Lithuania and Poland was fraught with conflict, primarily over the disputed Vilnius Region. Vilnius, once the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, was home to a diverse population of Lithuanians, Poles, Jews, and Russians. Both Poland and Lithuania laid claim to the city, sparking the Polish-Lithuanian War in 1920.
The contentious issue of Vilnius strained Polish-Lithuanian relations during the interwar period. The dispute was temporarily settled by the Suwałki Agreement and later by the Treaty of Riga, with the city and its surrounding region remaining under Polish control. However, the perceived loss of their historic capital left a profound sense of grievance in Lithuania.
The aftermath of the Second World War saw Vilnius officially become part of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, while the Polish population was largely repatriated to the new Polish state, its borders shifted westwards according to the Potsdam Agreement.
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked a pivotal moment in the history of Polish-Lithuanian relations. With the shackles of Soviet domination removed, both nations embarked on a path towards renewed independence and self-determination, rekindling their ancient historical ties.
In 1991, both Poland and Lithuania embarked on ambitious paths of political and economic reform. The transition to market economies and democratic governance was challenging, yet it ushered in an era of unprecedented growth and development. Despite the turbulent process of transformation, the shared experience of shedding the communist past served to strengthen the bond between the two nations.
Poland, having a head start in initiating the transition, provided support to Lithuania in the form of expert assistance and advocacy on the international stage. Notably, Poland was one of the first countries to recognize Lithuania's independence in 1991.
However, the issue of the Polish minority in Lithuania became a sticking point in bilateral relations. Questions surrounding language rights, education, and property restitution were contentious and remain unresolved in some respects to this day.
The most significant development in Polish-Lithuanian relations in the post-Soviet era has been their joint accession to transatlantic and European structures. Both countries joined NATO in 1999, a momentous step that signified their full return to the Euro-Atlantic community. In 2004, they became members of the European Union, further cementing their ties to the West and to each other. Joining these organizations has amplified the strategic partnership between Poland and Lithuania. We have found common ground in our foreign policies, particularly concerning the European Union's Eastern Partnership and the evolving security challenges in the region.
Furthermore, our two countries have undertaken joint projects, such as the construction of the Via Baltica highway and the LitPol Link power bridge, underlining our shared economic and strategic interests.