Retorsijos įkaitai : lenkai Lietuvos respublikoje 1918-1940 metais

Abstract

According to the official census from 1923, the Republic of Lithuania was inhabited by 65,600 Poles, constituting 3,2% of its whole population. The results of the census were harshly criticised even during the period between the wars. The representatives of the Polish minority pointed out that because of political and national reasons the authorities wanted to prove a lower percentage of the Poles in the society. Based on the statistics from the parliamentary elections (Seimas), the Poles estimated their number at 202,000 (10%). The Polish population appeared in Lithuania as a result of the process of Polonisation lasting from the 16th to the 19th century. Lithuania stayed in the union with Poland. In the 20th century, an independent Lithuanian country emerged. Its authorities decided that the results of cultural and linguistic Polonisation were detrimental to Lithuania. Lithuanian nationalists regarded the Poles in Lithuania as 'polonised Lithuanians'. Their national identity was ignored and only their Lithuanian descent was emphasized. The aim of the national authorities was to re-Lithuanise this group of citizens. Because of these reasons the use of the Polish language was restricted and the authorities were reluctant to open Polish schools. Part of the Polish minority reacted towards the building of the independent Lithuanian state in 1918-1920 with hostility. The group opted for the reestablishment of the union with Poland. In 1919, Polska Organizacja Wojskowa (Polish Military Organisation), consisting of the members of the Polish minority, unsuccessfully attempted a coup. The detection of the plot worsened the situation of all Poles in Lithuania. In 1920s, an agricultural reform was made in Lithuania, which seriously limited the economic role of the gentry who were mainly Poles. The situation of the Polish minority was also connected with the conflict between Lithuania and Poland lasting during the whole discussed period. One of the pressure methods used by Poland was the repressions against the Lithuanian minority in Poland. Lithuania retaliated on the Polish minority. The years 1927-1928 and 1936-1938 were especially difficult in that respect. Nevertheless, the Polish minority managed to create a rich political, social and cultural life. In the years 1920-1926 two up to four Polish members were elected for the Lithuanian Parliament. "Pochodnia", an educational organisation, was established, whose main aim was to open and maintain Polish schools. Newspapers were pub lished, including the most important "Dzien Kow ienski" (since 1935 "Dzien Polski") and "Chata Rodzinna".