335:
164:
proclaim that the
Lithuanian nation wanted to be detached from Russia and wished for a closer relationship with Germany. However, the conference, held between 18 and 23 September 1917, adopted a resolution that an independent Lithuania should be established and that a closer relationship with Germany would depend on whether it recognized the new state. On 21 September, the attendees at the conference elected a 20-member Council of Lithuania to establish this resolution. The German authorities did not allow that resolution to be published, but they did permit the council to proceed. The authorities censored the council's newspaper,
189:
1198:
355:, and currency. The council agreed, on the condition that Lithuania would decide its own internal affairs and foreign policy. The Germans rejected this proposal. On 11 December, the council adopted a resolution agreeing to a "firm and permanent alliance" with Germany on the basis of the four conventions. Only fifteen members voted for this resolution, but all twenty signed it.
370:, the council proposed amendments to the declaration of 11 December calling for a constituent assembly. The amendments were rejected by the Germans and it was made clear that the council would serve only advisory functions. The council was torn apart and a few members threatened to leave. On 16 February, the council, temporarily chaired by
350:
to power. They signed a truce with
Germany on 2 December 1917 and started peace negotiations. Germany needed some documentation of its relationship with Lithuania. In the so-called Berlin Protocol Germany offered to recognize Lithuanian independence if the latter agreed to form a firm and permanent
418:
started and
Germany lost the war in the fall of 1918 – it was no longer in a position to dictate terms. On 2 November, the council adopted the first provisional constitution. The decision to invite King Mindaugas II was annulled and this helped to reconcile the political factions. The functions of
163:
in 1917, opportunities for independence opened up. Germany, avoiding direct annexation, tried to find a middle path that would involve some kind of union with
Germany. In the light of upcoming peace negotiations with Russia, the Germans agreed to allow the Vilnius Conference, hoping that it would
413:
Germany did not recognize the new king and its relationship with the council remained tense. The council was not allowed to determine the borders of
Lithuania, establish an embassy in Berlin, or begin forming a stable administrative system. It received small funds to cover its expenses only in
390:
were in the German interest zone and that Russia renounced any claims to them. On 23 March, Germany recognized independent
Lithuania on the basis of the 11 December declaration. However, nothing, in essence, changed either in Lithuania or in the council's status: any efforts to establish
362:. Lithuanians, including those living abroad, disapproved of the 11 December declaration. The declaration, seen as pro-German, was an obstacle in establishing diplomatic relations with England, France and the United States, the enemies of Germany. On 8 January 1918, the same day that
232:
was elected as the chairman of the council. The chairman, two vice-chairmen, and two secretaries made up the presidium. The vice-chairs and secretaries would change from time to time, but
Smetona retained the chairmanship until 1919 when he was elected the first
682:
374:, decided to re-declare independence, this time mentioning nothing specific about a relationship with Germany. That was left for a constituent assembly to decide. 16 February is celebrated as Lithuania's State Restoration Day.
816:
Silber, Marcos (2011). "Lithuania? But which? The
Changing Political Attitude of the Jewish Political Elite in East Central Europe toward Emerging Lithuania, 1915–1919". In Sirutavičius, Vladas; Staliūnas, Darius (eds.).
1058:
174:), preventing the council from reaching a wider public audience. The conference also resolved that a constituent assembly be elected "in conformity with democratic principles by all the inhabitants of Lithuania".
690:
204:
The twenty men who composed the initial council were of different ages (the youngest was 25; the oldest 66), social status, professions, and political affiliations. There were eight lawyers, four priests, three
1051:
382:
The
Germans were not satisfied with the new declaration and demanded that the council go back to the 11 December decision. On 3 March 1918, Germany and Bolshevik Russia signed the
1044:
1084:
305:, Kazimierz Falkiewic) on 27 November 1918. Sharing similar hopes for autonomy, three Jewish activists joined the Council on 11 December 1918. Among them two were Zionists (
183:
88:
625:
285:
by the
Bolshevik army, hoping some level of autonomy within the Lithuanian state, six members of the Vilnius Belarusian Council joined the Council of Lithuania. (
334:
463:
656:
123:
in the country until the autumn of 1918. By the spring of 1919, the council had almost doubled in size. The council continued its efforts until the
1197:
241:
as the chairman. He was not among the original twenty members. The first change in membership took place on 13 July 1918, when six new members (
116:
491:
Eidintas, Alfonsas; Žalys, Vytautas; Senn, Alfred Erich (September 1999). "Chapter 1: Restoration of the State". In Tuskenis, Edvardas (ed.).
91:
who composed the council at first were of different ages, social status, professions, and political affiliations. The council was granted the
1025:
998:
971:
944:
826:
609:
424:
427:. The council began to organize an army, police, local government, and other institutions. It also expanded to include ethnic minorities (
423:
was invited to form the first Cabinet of Ministers. The first government was formed on 11 November 1918, the day that Germany signed the
1224:
907:
857:
800:
772:
732:
532:
500:
443:
124:
1076:
329:
104:
652:
147:. During the 19th century, the Poles and the Lithuanians attempted to restore their independence. They rebelled during the
1172:
629:
358:
The Germans broke their promise and did not recognize the state and did not invite its delegation to the negotiations of
1219:
410:
as Mindaugas II on 13 July 1918. The decision was very controversial and four members of the council left in protest.
403:
31:
686:
160:
451:
439:
242:
20:
843:
718:
1162:
1137:
383:
359:
278:
222:
575:
234:
1102:
338:
The original hand-written Act of Independence of Lithuania with twenty original signatures of signatories
274:
420:
399:
302:
246:
188:
24:
1152:
1097:
391:
administration were hindered. The form of government, however, was left undecided. Germany, ruled by a
371:
193:
1177:
314:
140:
120:
40:
1157:
1127:
1092:
254:
214:
92:
52:
887:
819:
A Pragmatic Alliance. Jewish-Lithuanian Political Cooperation at the Beginning of the 20th Century
343:
310:
218:
84:
788:
262:
238:
527:. Translated by Algirdas Budreckis (6th ed.). New York: Manyland Books. pp. 151–162.
1187:
1182:
1142:
1112:
1021:
994:
967:
940:
934:
853:
822:
796:
768:
728:
605:
580:
538:
528:
496:
442:
started and political processes were derailed during the turmoil. Lithuanian elections to the
415:
407:
294:
270:
148:
96:
1015:
988:
961:
599:
1167:
298:
286:
152:
119:. The council managed to establish the proclamation of independence despite the presence of
435:). There were no women in the council, despite a petition that gathered 20,000 signatures.
351:
federation with Germany, based on conventions concerning military affairs, transportation,
1147:
1117:
1107:
367:
290:
266:
250:
229:
197:
108:
68:
60:
30:
For main permanent institution of central government in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, see
911:
1132:
660:
363:
306:
166:
144:
406:, Count of Württemberg, to become the monarch of Lithuania. He agreed and was elected
159:. In 1915, Germany occupied Lithuania as its troops marched towards Russia. After the
1213:
1122:
387:
258:
100:
342:
Soon after the council was elected, major developments took place in Russia. The
432:
281:) resigned (in protest over the election of Mindaugas II). After the capture of
156:
523:
Gerutis, Albertas (1984). "Independent Lithuania". In Gerutis, Albertas (ed.).
446:
were not held until April 1920. The council was not replaced by a parliament (
103:
Lithuanian state. On 16 February 1918, the members of the council signed the
347:
210:
112:
44:
863:
738:
493:
Lithuania in European Politics: The Years of the First Republic, 1918–1940
795:(in Polish). Białystok: Białoruskie Towarzystwo Historyczne. p. 92.
579:. Vol. I. Boston, Massachusetts: Juozas Kapočius. pp. 581–585.
206:
1036:
396:
352:
891:
447:
392:
936:
Aftermaths of War: Women's Movements and Female Activists, 1918–1923
495:(Paperback ed.). New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 24–31.
217:
and seven were not affiliated. All except one had gained degrees in
213:, a doctor, a publisher, and an engineer. Eight of the members were
847:
722:
333:
282:
402:. As an alternative, on 4 June 1918, the council voted to invite
584:
542:
428:
1040:
320:
By the spring of 1919, the council had almost doubled in size.
155:
in 1863, but the first realistic opportunity came about during
908:"Karališkojo kraujo paieškos: Lietuva ir šimto dienų karalius"
395:, preferred a monarchy. It proposed a personal union with the
628:(in Lithuanian). National Museum of Lithuania. Archived from
821:. Budapest: Central European University Press. p. 147.
573:
Sužiedėlis, Simas, ed. (1970–1978). "Council of Lithuania".
419:
government were entrusted to a three-member presidium, and
765:
War, Revolution, and Nation-Making in Lithuania, 1914–1923
852:(in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Elektroninės leidybos namai.
727:(in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Elektroninės leidybos namai.
16:
Governing body of newly-independent Lithuania (1917–20)
87:
that took place between 18 and 23 September 1917. The
115:
principles. 16 February is celebrated as Lithuania's
1083:
963:
Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century – And After
184:
Signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania
910:(in Lithuanian). Bernardinai.lt. Archived from
414:September 1918. The situation changed when the
141:Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
1020:. University of California Press. p. 79.
1052:
601:Lithuania: The Rebirth of a Nation, 1991–1994
8:
888:Lietuvos Respublikos švenčių dienų įstatymas
135:Historical background and Vilnius Conference
19:For a historical term of Jewish autonomy in
464:List of members of the Council of Lithuania
196:is sitting in the center of the front row.
1059:
1045:
1037:
758:
756:
486:
484:
482:
480:
478:
228:During the first meeting on 24 September,
143:in 1795, Lithuania had become part of the
712:
710:
708:
518:
516:
514:
512:
265:) were admitted and the four socialists (
657:Lithuanian National Radio and Television
192:The original 20 members of the council.
187:
933:Sharp, Ingrid; Stibbe, Matthew (2011).
844:"Nuo autonomijos prie nepriklausomybės"
793:Białoruskie formacje wojskowe 1917–1923
767:. Oxford University Press. p. 64.
719:"Vokietija ir Lietuvos nepriklausomybė"
474:
221:. The council's last surviving member,
1017:Die Geschichte der baltischen Staaten
902:
900:
849:Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės
724:Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės
683:"Aleksandras Stulginskis (1885–1969)"
7:
568:
566:
564:
562:
560:
558:
556:
554:
552:
990:Historical Dictionary of Lithuania
653:"Vasario 16-osios Akto signatarai"
99:and was entrusted to establish an
14:
444:Constituent Assembly of Lithuania
125:Constituent Assembly of Lithuania
1196:
450:) until 2 August 1922, when the
330:Act of Independence of Lithuania
200:is seated to his immediate left.
105:Act of Independence of Lithuania
993:. Scarecrow Press. p. 85.
987:Suziedelis, Saulius A. (2011).
604:. Lexington Books. p. 11.
1:
598:Ashbourne, Alexandra (1999).
131:) first met on 15 May 1920.
75:), after July 11, 1918, the
404:Wilhelm Karl, Duke of Urach
324:Declaration of Independence
237:. Smetona was succeeded by
32:Lithuanian Council of Lords
1241:
1225:Legal history of Lithuania
1173:Kazimieras Steponas Šaulys
894:. Retrieved on 2007-02-07.
890:, Žin., 1990, Nr. 31-757,
687:Lithuanian National Museum
327:
225:, died in September 1969.
181:
107:and declared Lithuania an
77:State Council of Lithuania
29:
18:
1194:
1074:
1014:Rauch, Georg von (1974).
966:. Routledge. p. 97.
452:Constitution of Lithuania
378:Establishing independence
81:Lietuvos Valstybės Taryba
960:Crampton, R. J. (2002).
842:Skirius, Juozas (2002).
763:Balkelis, Tomas (2018).
717:Skirius, Juozas (2002).
21:Grand Duchy of Lithuania
1163:Aleksandras Stulginskis
651:Jegelevičius, Sigitas.
386:. It declared that the
384:Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
360:Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
313:) and one was Folkist (
223:Aleksandras Stulginskis
939:. Brill. p. 292.
576:Encyclopedia Lituanica
425:armistice in Compiègne
339:
235:President of Lithuania
201:
128:
83:) was convened at the
80:
72:
64:
56:
421:Augustinas Voldemaras
337:
247:Augustinas Voldemaras
191:
117:State Restoration Day
65:Litauischer Staatsrat
25:Council of Four Lands
1138:Stanisław Narutowicz
1068:Council of Lithuania
525:Lithuania: 700 Years
400:Hohenzollern dynasty
315:Nachman Rachmilewitz
279:Stanisław Narutowicz
49:Council of Lithuania
1158:Justinas Staugaitis
1128:Donatas Malinauskas
1093:Saliamonas Banaitis
1077:Act of Independence
914:on 11 February 2007
255:Eliziejus Draugelis
215:Christian democrats
129:Steigiamasis Seimas
93:executive authority
1220:1910s in Lithuania
1153:Jonas Smilgevičius
1098:Jonas Basanavičius
693:on 31 October 2014
663:on 13 October 2007
372:Jonas Basanavičius
344:October Revolution
340:
311:Shimshon Rosenboim
303:Władysław Tołoczko
219:tertiary education
202:
194:Jonas Basanavičius
161:Russian Revolution
85:Vilnius Conference
1205:
1204:
1183:Jonas Vailokaitis
1143:Alfonsas Petrulis
1113:Pranas Dovydaitis
1027:978-0-520-02600-1
1000:978-0-8108-7536-4
973:978-1-134-71222-9
946:978-90-04-19172-3
828:978-615-5053-17-7
655:(in Lithuanian).
626:"Lietuvos taryba"
611:978-0-7391-0027-1
416:German Revolution
408:King of Lithuania
172:Echo of Lithuania
149:November Uprising
109:independent state
97:Lithuanian people
1232:
1200:
1103:Mykolas Biržiška
1061:
1054:
1047:
1038:
1032:
1031:
1011:
1005:
1004:
984:
978:
977:
957:
951:
950:
930:
924:
923:
921:
919:
904:
895:
886:
882:
876:
875:
873:
871:
862:. Archived from
839:
833:
832:
813:
807:
806:
789:Łatyszonek, Oleg
785:
779:
778:
760:
751:
750:
748:
746:
737:. Archived from
714:
703:
702:
700:
698:
689:. Archived from
679:
673:
672:
670:
668:
659:. Archived from
648:
642:
641:
639:
637:
622:
616:
615:
595:
589:
588:
570:
547:
546:
520:
507:
506:
488:
299:Dominik Semashko
287:Vaclau Lastouski
275:Mykolas Biržiška
153:January Uprising
151:in 1830 and the
1240:
1239:
1235:
1234:
1233:
1231:
1230:
1229:
1210:
1209:
1206:
1201:
1192:
1148:Antanas Smetona
1118:Steponas Kairys
1108:Kazys Bizauskas
1079:
1070:
1065:
1035:
1028:
1013:
1012:
1008:
1001:
986:
985:
981:
974:
959:
958:
954:
947:
932:
931:
927:
917:
915:
906:
905:
898:
885:(in Lithuanian)
884:
883:
879:
869:
867:
866:on 17 July 2007
860:
841:
840:
836:
829:
815:
814:
810:
803:
787:
786:
782:
775:
762:
761:
754:
744:
742:
741:on 17 July 2007
735:
716:
715:
706:
696:
694:
681:
680:
676:
666:
664:
650:
649:
645:
635:
633:
624:
623:
619:
612:
597:
596:
592:
572:
571:
550:
535:
522:
521:
510:
503:
490:
489:
476:
472:
460:
380:
368:Fourteen Points
332:
326:
291:Ivan Luckievich
267:Steponas Kairys
263:Stasys Šilingas
251:Juozas Purickis
239:Stasys Šilingas
230:Antanas Smetona
198:Antanas Smetona
186:
180:
139:After the last
137:
57:Lietuvos Taryba
35:
28:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1238:
1236:
1228:
1227:
1222:
1212:
1211:
1203:
1202:
1195:
1193:
1191:
1190:
1188:Jonas Vileišis
1185:
1180:
1178:Jokūbas Šernas
1175:
1170:
1165:
1160:
1155:
1150:
1145:
1140:
1135:
1133:Vladas Mironas
1130:
1125:
1120:
1115:
1110:
1105:
1100:
1095:
1089:
1087:
1081:
1080:
1075:
1072:
1071:
1066:
1064:
1063:
1056:
1049:
1041:
1034:
1033:
1026:
1006:
999:
979:
972:
952:
945:
925:
896:
877:
858:
834:
827:
808:
801:
780:
773:
752:
733:
704:
674:
643:
632:on 14 May 2007
617:
610:
590:
548:
533:
508:
501:
473:
471:
468:
467:
466:
459:
456:
388:Baltic nations
379:
376:
366:announced his
364:Woodrow Wilson
328:Main article:
325:
322:
307:Jakub Wygodzki
295:Jan Stankievič
271:Jonas Vileišis
182:Main article:
179:
176:
167:Lietuvos aidas
145:Russian Empire
136:
133:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1237:
1226:
1223:
1221:
1218:
1217:
1215:
1208:
1199:
1189:
1186:
1184:
1181:
1179:
1176:
1174:
1171:
1169:
1168:Jurgis Šaulys
1166:
1164:
1161:
1159:
1156:
1154:
1151:
1149:
1146:
1144:
1141:
1139:
1136:
1134:
1131:
1129:
1126:
1124:
1123:Petras Klimas
1121:
1119:
1116:
1114:
1111:
1109:
1106:
1104:
1101:
1099:
1096:
1094:
1091:
1090:
1088:
1086:
1082:
1078:
1073:
1069:
1062:
1057:
1055:
1050:
1048:
1043:
1042:
1039:
1029:
1023:
1019:
1018:
1010:
1007:
1002:
996:
992:
991:
983:
980:
975:
969:
965:
964:
956:
953:
948:
942:
938:
937:
929:
926:
913:
909:
903:
901:
897:
893:
889:
881:
878:
865:
861:
859:9986-9216-9-4
855:
851:
850:
845:
838:
835:
830:
824:
820:
812:
809:
804:
802:9788390306858
798:
794:
790:
784:
781:
776:
774:9780199668021
770:
766:
759:
757:
753:
740:
736:
734:9986-9216-9-4
730:
726:
725:
720:
713:
711:
709:
705:
692:
688:
684:
678:
675:
662:
658:
654:
647:
644:
631:
627:
621:
618:
613:
607:
603:
602:
594:
591:
586:
582:
578:
577:
569:
567:
565:
563:
561:
559:
557:
555:
553:
549:
544:
540:
536:
534:0-87141-028-1
530:
526:
519:
517:
515:
513:
509:
504:
502:0-312-22458-3
498:
494:
487:
485:
483:
481:
479:
475:
469:
465:
462:
461:
457:
455:
454:was adopted.
453:
449:
445:
441:
436:
434:
430:
426:
422:
417:
411:
409:
405:
401:
398:
394:
389:
385:
377:
375:
373:
369:
365:
361:
356:
354:
349:
345:
336:
331:
323:
321:
318:
316:
312:
308:
304:
300:
296:
292:
288:
284:
280:
276:
272:
268:
264:
260:
259:Jurgis Alekna
256:
252:
248:
244:
243:Martynas Yčas
240:
236:
231:
226:
224:
220:
216:
212:
208:
199:
195:
190:
185:
177:
175:
173:
169:
168:
162:
158:
154:
150:
146:
142:
134:
132:
130:
127:(Lithuanian:
126:
122:
121:German troops
118:
114:
110:
106:
102:
98:
94:
90:
86:
82:
79:(Lithuanian:
78:
74:
73:Rada Litewska
70:
66:
62:
58:
54:
50:
46:
42:
37:
33:
26:
22:
1207:
1067:
1016:
1009:
989:
982:
962:
955:
935:
928:
916:. Retrieved
912:the original
880:
868:. Retrieved
864:the original
848:
837:
818:
811:
792:
783:
764:
743:. Retrieved
739:the original
723:
695:. Retrieved
691:the original
677:
665:. Retrieved
661:the original
646:
634:. Retrieved
630:the original
620:
600:
593:
574:
524:
492:
440:Freedom Wars
437:
412:
381:
357:
346:brought the
341:
319:
227:
203:
171:
165:
138:
76:
48:
38:
36:
918:10 February
667:2 September
636:2 September
433:Belarusians
207:agronomists
157:World War I
101:independent
41:the history
1214:Categories
870:28 January
745:28 January
697:12 October
470:References
348:Bolsheviks
211:financiers
178:Membership
113:democratic
89:twenty men
53:Lithuanian
111:based on
45:Lithuania
791:(1995).
585:74114275
543:75-80057
458:See also
397:Prussian
1085:Members
353:customs
95:of the
1024:
997:
970:
943:
892:Seimas
856:
825:
799:
771:
731:
608:
583:
541:
531:
499:
448:Seimas
393:kaiser
209:, two
69:Polish
61:German
47:, the
23:, see
283:Minsk
1022:ISBN
995:ISBN
968:ISBN
941:ISBN
920:2007
872:2007
854:ISBN
823:ISBN
797:ISBN
769:ISBN
747:2007
729:ISBN
699:2014
669:2006
638:2006
606:ISBN
581:LCCN
539:LCCN
529:ISBN
497:ISBN
438:The
431:and
429:Jews
309:and
261:and
317:).
43:of
39:In
1216::
899:^
846:.
755:^
721:.
707:^
685:.
551:^
537:.
511:^
477:^
301:,
297:,
293:,
289:,
277:,
273:,
269:,
257:,
253:,
249:,
245:,
71::
67:;
63::
59:;
55::
1060:e
1053:t
1046:v
1030:.
1003:.
976:.
949:.
922:.
874:.
831:.
805:.
777:.
749:.
701:.
671:.
640:.
614:.
587:.
545:.
505:.
170:(
51:(
34:.
27:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
