351:
180:
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,
205:
1214:
371:, 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.
386:, 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
366:
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
434:
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
179:
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
429:
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
406:
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
378:. 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
248:
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
698:
390:, 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.
832:
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.).
1074:
190:), 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".
706:
220:
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
1067:
72:
398:
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
1060:
1100:
321:, 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 (
199:
104:
641:
301:
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. (
350:
479:
672:
139:
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
1213:
257:
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 (
132:
507:
Eidintas, Alfonsas; Žalys, Vytautas; Senn, Alfred Erich (September 1999). "Chapter 1: Restoration of the State". In Tuskenis, Edvardas (ed.).
107:
who composed the council at first were of different ages, social status, professions, and political affiliations. The council was granted the
1041:
1014:
987:
960:
842:
625:
440:
443:. The council began to organize an army, police, local government, and other institutions. It also expanded to include ethnic minorities (
439:
was invited to form the first Cabinet of Ministers. The first government was formed on 11 November 1918, the day that Germany signed the
1240:
923:
873:
816:
788:
748:
548:
516:
459:
140:
1092:
345:
120:
668:
163:. During the 19th century, the Poles and the Lithuanians attempted to restore their independence. They rebelled during the
1188:
645:
374:
The Germans broke their promise and did not recognize the state and did not invite its delegation to the negotiations of
1235:
426:
as Mindaugas II on 13 July 1918. The decision was very controversial and four members of the council left in protest.
419:
42:
702:
176:
467:
455:
258:
31:
859:
734:
1178:
1153:
399:
375:
294:
238:
591:
250:
1118:
354:
The original hand-written Act of Independence of Lithuania with twenty original signatures of signatories
290:
436:
415:
318:
262:
204:
35:
1168:
1113:
407:
administration were hindered. The form of government, however, was left undecided. Germany, ruled by a
387:
209:
1193:
330:
156:
136:
51:
1173:
1143:
1108:
270:
230:
108:
63:
835:
A Pragmatic Alliance. Jewish-Lithuanian Political Cooperation at the Beginning of the 20th Century
903:
359:
326:
234:
100:
804:
278:
254:
543:. Translated by Algirdas Budreckis (6th ed.). New York: Manyland Books. pp. 151–162.
1203:
1198:
1158:
1128:
1037:
1010:
983:
956:
950:
869:
838:
812:
784:
744:
621:
596:
554:
544:
512:
458:
started and political processes were derailed during the turmoil. Lithuanian elections to the
431:
423:
310:
286:
164:
112:
1031:
1004:
977:
615:
1183:
314:
302:
168:
135:. The council managed to establish the proclamation of independence despite the presence of
451:). There were no women in the council, despite a petition that gathered 20,000 signatures.
367:
federation with Germany, based on conventions concerning military affairs, transportation,
1163:
1133:
1123:
383:
306:
282:
266:
245:
213:
124:
84:
76:
41:
For main permanent institution of central government in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, see
927:
1148:
676:
379:
322:
182:
160:
422:, Count of Württemberg, to become the monarch of Lithuania. He agreed and was elected
175:. In 1915, Germany occupied Lithuania as its troops marched towards Russia. After the
1229:
1138:
403:
274:
116:
17:
358:
Soon after the council was elected, major developments took place in Russia. The
448:
297:) resigned (in protest over the election of Mindaugas II). After the capture of
172:
539:
Gerutis, Albertas (1984). "Independent Lithuania". In Gerutis, Albertas (ed.).
462:
were not held until April 1920. The council was not replaced by a parliament (
119:
Lithuanian state. On 16 February 1918, the members of the council signed the
363:
226:
128:
55:
879:
754:
509:
Lithuania in European Politics: The Years of the First Republic, 1918–1940
811:(in Polish). Białystok: Białoruskie Towarzystwo Historyczne. p. 92.
595:. Vol. I. Boston, Massachusetts: Juozas Kapočius. pp. 581–585.
222:
1052:
412:
368:
907:
463:
408:
952:
Aftermaths of War: Women's Movements and Female Activists, 1918–1923
511:(Paperback ed.). New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 24–31.
233:
and seven were not affiliated. All except one had gained degrees in
229:, a doctor, a publisher, and an engineer. Eight of the members were
863:
738:
349:
298:
418:. As an alternative, on 4 June 1918, the council voted to invite
600:
558:
444:
1056:
336:
By the spring of 1919, the council had almost doubled in size.
171:
in 1863, but the first realistic opportunity came about during
924:"Karališkojo kraujo paieškos: Lietuva ir šimto dienų karalius"
411:, preferred a monarchy. It proposed a personal union with the
644:(in Lithuanian). National Museum of Lithuania. Archived from
837:. Budapest: Central European University Press. p. 147.
589:
Sužiedėlis, Simas, ed. (1970–1978). "Council of Lithuania".
435:
government were entrusted to a three-member presidium, and
781:
War, Revolution, and Nation-Making in Lithuania, 1914–1923
868:(in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Elektroninės leidybos namai.
743:(in Lithuanian). Vilnius: Elektroninės leidybos namai.
27:
Governing body of newly-independent Lithuania (1917–20)
103:
that took place between 18 and 23 September 1917. The
131:
principles. 16 February is celebrated as Lithuania's
1099:
979:
Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century – And After
200:
Signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania
926:(in Lithuanian). Bernardinai.lt. Archived from
430:September 1918. The situation changed when the
157:Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
1036:. University of California Press. p. 79.
1068:
617:Lithuania: The Rebirth of a Nation, 1991–1994
8:
904:Lietuvos Respublikos švenčių dienų įstatymas
151:Historical background and Vilnius Conference
30:For a historical term of Jewish autonomy in
480:List of members of the Council of Lithuania
212:is sitting in the center of the front row.
1075:
1061:
1053:
774:
772:
502:
500:
498:
496:
494:
244:During the first meeting on 24 September,
159:in 1795, Lithuania had become part of the
728:
726:
724:
534:
532:
530:
528:
281:) were admitted and the four socialists (
673:Lithuanian National Radio and Television
208:The original 20 members of the council.
203:
949:Sharp, Ingrid; Stibbe, Matthew (2011).
860:"Nuo autonomijos prie nepriklausomybės"
809:Białoruskie formacje wojskowe 1917–1923
783:. Oxford University Press. p. 64.
735:"Vokietija ir Lietuvos nepriklausomybė"
490:
237:. The council's last surviving member,
1033:Die Geschichte der baltischen Staaten
918:
916:
865:Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės
740:Gimtoji istorija. Nuo 7 iki 12 klasės
699:"Aleksandras Stulginskis (1885–1969)"
7:
584:
582:
580:
578:
576:
574:
572:
570:
568:
1006:Historical Dictionary of Lithuania
669:"Vasario 16-osios Akto signatarai"
115:and was entrusted to establish an
25:
460:Constituent Assembly of Lithuania
141:Constituent Assembly of Lithuania
1212:
466:) until 2 August 1922, when the
346:Act of Independence of Lithuania
216:is seated to his immediate left.
121:Act of Independence of Lithuania
1009:. Scarecrow Press. p. 85.
1003:Suziedelis, Saulius A. (2011).
620:. Lexington Books. p. 11.
1:
614:Ashbourne, Alexandra (1999).
147:) first met on 15 May 1920.
91:), after July 11, 1918, the
420:Wilhelm Karl, Duke of Urach
340:Declaration of Independence
253:. Smetona was succeeded by
43:Lithuanian Council of Lords
1257:
1241:Legal history of Lithuania
1189:Kazimieras Steponas Šaulys
910:. Retrieved on 2007-02-07.
906:, Žin., 1990, Nr. 31-757,
703:Lithuanian National Museum
343:
241:, died in September 1969.
197:
123:and declared Lithuania an
93:State Council of Lithuania
40:
29:
1210:
1090:
1030:Rauch, Georg von (1974).
982:. Routledge. p. 97.
468:Constitution of Lithuania
394:Establishing independence
97:Lietuvos Valstybės Taryba
976:Crampton, R. J. (2002).
858:Skirius, Juozas (2002).
779:Balkelis, Tomas (2018).
733:Skirius, Juozas (2002).
32:Grand Duchy of Lithuania
1179:Aleksandras Stulginskis
667:Jegelevičius, Sigitas.
402:. It declared that the
400:Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
376:Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
329:) and one was Folkist (
239:Aleksandras Stulginskis
955:. Brill. p. 292.
592:Encyclopedia Lituanica
441:armistice in Compiègne
355:
251:President of Lithuania
217:
144:
99:) was convened at the
96:
88:
80:
67:
437:Augustinas Voldemaras
353:
263:Augustinas Voldemaras
207:
133:State Restoration Day
81:Litauischer Staatsrat
36:Council of Four Lands
1154:Stanisław Narutowicz
1084:Council of Lithuania
541:Lithuania: 700 Years
416:Hohenzollern dynasty
331:Nachman Rachmilewitz
295:Stanisław Narutowicz
60:Council of Lithuania
1174:Justinas Staugaitis
1144:Donatas Malinauskas
1109:Saliamonas Banaitis
1093:Act of Independence
930:on 11 February 2007
271:Eliziejus Draugelis
231:Christian democrats
145:Steigiamasis Seimas
109:executive authority
1236:1910s in Lithuania
1169:Jonas Smilgevičius
1114:Jonas Basanavičius
709:on 31 October 2014
679:on 13 October 2007
388:Jonas Basanavičius
360:October Revolution
356:
327:Shimshon Rosenboim
319:Władysław Tołoczko
235:tertiary education
218:
210:Jonas Basanavičius
177:Russian Revolution
101:Vilnius Conference
18:Lithuanian Council
1221:
1220:
1199:Jonas Vailokaitis
1159:Alfonsas Petrulis
1129:Pranas Dovydaitis
1043:978-0-520-02600-1
1016:978-0-8108-7536-4
989:978-1-134-71222-9
962:978-90-04-19172-3
844:978-615-5053-17-7
671:(in Lithuanian).
642:"Lietuvos taryba"
627:978-0-7391-0027-1
432:German Revolution
424:King of Lithuania
188:Echo of Lithuania
165:November Uprising
125:independent state
113:Lithuanian people
16:(Redirected from
1248:
1216:
1119:Mykolas Biržiška
1077:
1070:
1063:
1054:
1048:
1047:
1027:
1021:
1020:
1000:
994:
993:
973:
967:
966:
946:
940:
939:
937:
935:
920:
911:
902:
898:
892:
891:
889:
887:
878:. Archived from
855:
849:
848:
829:
823:
822:
805:Łatyszonek, Oleg
801:
795:
794:
776:
767:
766:
764:
762:
753:. Archived from
730:
719:
718:
716:
714:
705:. Archived from
695:
689:
688:
686:
684:
675:. Archived from
664:
658:
657:
655:
653:
638:
632:
631:
611:
605:
604:
586:
563:
562:
536:
523:
522:
504:
315:Dominik Semashko
303:Vaclau Lastouski
291:Mykolas Biržiška
169:January Uprising
167:in 1830 and the
75:
21:
1256:
1255:
1251:
1250:
1249:
1247:
1246:
1245:
1226:
1225:
1222:
1217:
1208:
1164:Antanas Smetona
1134:Steponas Kairys
1124:Kazys Bizauskas
1095:
1086:
1081:
1051:
1044:
1029:
1028:
1024:
1017:
1002:
1001:
997:
990:
975:
974:
970:
963:
948:
947:
943:
933:
931:
922:
921:
914:
901:(in Lithuanian)
900:
899:
895:
885:
883:
882:on 17 July 2007
876:
857:
856:
852:
845:
831:
830:
826:
819:
803:
802:
798:
791:
778:
777:
770:
760:
758:
757:on 17 July 2007
751:
732:
731:
722:
712:
710:
697:
696:
692:
682:
680:
666:
665:
661:
651:
649:
640:
639:
635:
628:
613:
612:
608:
588:
587:
566:
551:
538:
537:
526:
519:
506:
505:
492:
488:
476:
396:
384:Fourteen Points
348:
342:
307:Ivan Luckievich
283:Steponas Kairys
279:Stasys Šilingas
267:Juozas Purickis
255:Stasys Šilingas
246:Antanas Smetona
214:Antanas Smetona
202:
196:
155:After the last
153:
71:
68:Lietuvos Taryba
46:
39:
28:
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
1254:
1252:
1244:
1243:
1238:
1228:
1227:
1219:
1218:
1211:
1209:
1207:
1206:
1204:Jonas Vileišis
1201:
1196:
1194:Jokūbas Šernas
1191:
1186:
1181:
1176:
1171:
1166:
1161:
1156:
1151:
1149:Vladas Mironas
1146:
1141:
1136:
1131:
1126:
1121:
1116:
1111:
1105:
1103:
1097:
1096:
1091:
1088:
1087:
1082:
1080:
1079:
1072:
1065:
1057:
1050:
1049:
1042:
1022:
1015:
995:
988:
968:
961:
941:
912:
893:
874:
850:
843:
824:
817:
796:
789:
768:
749:
720:
690:
659:
648:on 14 May 2007
633:
626:
606:
564:
549:
524:
517:
489:
487:
484:
483:
482:
475:
472:
404:Baltic nations
395:
392:
382:announced his
380:Woodrow Wilson
344:Main article:
341:
338:
323:Jakub Wygodzki
311:Jan Stankievič
287:Jonas Vileišis
198:Main article:
195:
192:
183:Lietuvos aidas
161:Russian Empire
152:
149:
26:
24:
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1253:
1242:
1239:
1237:
1234:
1233:
1231:
1224:
1215:
1205:
1202:
1200:
1197:
1195:
1192:
1190:
1187:
1185:
1184:Jurgis Šaulys
1182:
1180:
1177:
1175:
1172:
1170:
1167:
1165:
1162:
1160:
1157:
1155:
1152:
1150:
1147:
1145:
1142:
1140:
1139:Petras Klimas
1137:
1135:
1132:
1130:
1127:
1125:
1122:
1120:
1117:
1115:
1112:
1110:
1107:
1106:
1104:
1102:
1098:
1094:
1089:
1085:
1078:
1073:
1071:
1066:
1064:
1059:
1058:
1055:
1045:
1039:
1035:
1034:
1026:
1023:
1018:
1012:
1008:
1007:
999:
996:
991:
985:
981:
980:
972:
969:
964:
958:
954:
953:
945:
942:
929:
925:
919:
917:
913:
909:
905:
897:
894:
881:
877:
875:9986-9216-9-4
871:
867:
866:
861:
854:
851:
846:
840:
836:
828:
825:
820:
818:9788390306858
814:
810:
806:
800:
797:
792:
790:9780199668021
786:
782:
775:
773:
769:
756:
752:
750:9986-9216-9-4
746:
742:
741:
736:
729:
727:
725:
721:
708:
704:
700:
694:
691:
678:
674:
670:
663:
660:
647:
643:
637:
634:
629:
623:
619:
618:
610:
607:
602:
598:
594:
593:
585:
583:
581:
579:
577:
575:
573:
571:
569:
565:
560:
556:
552:
550:0-87141-028-1
546:
542:
535:
533:
531:
529:
525:
520:
518:0-312-22458-3
514:
510:
503:
501:
499:
497:
495:
491:
485:
481:
478:
477:
473:
471:
470:was adopted.
469:
465:
461:
457:
452:
450:
446:
442:
438:
433:
427:
425:
421:
417:
414:
410:
405:
401:
393:
391:
389:
385:
381:
377:
372:
370:
365:
361:
352:
347:
339:
337:
334:
332:
328:
324:
320:
316:
312:
308:
304:
300:
296:
292:
288:
284:
280:
276:
275:Jurgis Alekna
272:
268:
264:
260:
259:Martynas Yčas
256:
252:
247:
242:
240:
236:
232:
228:
224:
215:
211:
206:
201:
193:
191:
189:
185:
184:
178:
174:
170:
166:
162:
158:
150:
148:
146:
143:(Lithuanian:
142:
138:
137:German troops
134:
130:
126:
122:
118:
114:
110:
106:
102:
98:
95:(Lithuanian:
94:
90:
89:Rada Litewska
86:
82:
78:
74:
69:
65:
61:
57:
53:
48:
44:
37:
33:
19:
1223:
1083:
1032:
1025:
1005:
998:
978:
971:
951:
944:
932:. Retrieved
928:the original
896:
884:. Retrieved
880:the original
864:
853:
834:
827:
808:
799:
780:
759:. Retrieved
755:the original
739:
711:. Retrieved
707:the original
693:
681:. Retrieved
677:the original
662:
650:. Retrieved
646:the original
636:
616:
609:
590:
540:
508:
456:Freedom Wars
453:
428:
397:
373:
362:brought the
357:
335:
243:
219:
187:
181:
154:
92:
59:
49:
47:
934:10 February
683:2 September
652:2 September
449:Belarusians
223:agronomists
173:World War I
117:independent
52:the history
1230:Categories
886:28 January
761:28 January
713:12 October
486:References
364:Bolsheviks
227:financiers
194:Membership
129:democratic
105:twenty men
64:Lithuanian
127:based on
73:‹See Tfd›
56:Lithuania
807:(1995).
601:74114275
559:75-80057
474:See also
413:Prussian
1101:Members
369:customs
111:of the
1040:
1013:
986:
959:
908:Seimas
872:
841:
815:
787:
747:
624:
599:
557:
547:
515:
464:Seimas
409:kaiser
225:, two
85:Polish
77:German
58:, the
34:, see
299:Minsk
1038:ISBN
1011:ISBN
984:ISBN
957:ISBN
936:2007
888:2007
870:ISBN
839:ISBN
813:ISBN
785:ISBN
763:2007
745:ISBN
715:2014
685:2006
654:2006
622:ISBN
597:LCCN
555:LCCN
545:ISBN
513:ISBN
454:The
447:and
445:Jews
325:and
277:and
333:).
54:of
50:In
1232::
915:^
862:.
771:^
737:.
723:^
701:.
567:^
553:.
527:^
493:^
317:,
313:,
309:,
305:,
293:,
289:,
285:,
273:,
269:,
265:,
261:,
87::
83:;
79::
70:;
66::
1076:e
1069:t
1062:v
1046:.
1019:.
992:.
965:.
938:.
890:.
847:.
821:.
793:.
765:.
717:.
687:.
656:.
630:.
603:.
561:.
521:.
186:(
62:(
45:.
38:.
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
