NORMALIZATION OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN POLAND AND LITHUANIA IN 1938 Cover Image

Diplomatinių santykių normalizacija tarp Lenkijos ir Lietuvos 1938 metais
NORMALIZATION OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN POLAND AND LITHUANIA IN 1938

Author(s): Rafał Cieśla, Tadeusz Juchniewicz
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: Vytauto Didžiojo Universitetas
Keywords: Poland; Lithuania; Diplomatic Relations; 1918-1939; Ultimatum Note

Summary/Abstract: Relations between Poland and Lithuania in the interwar period were determined by an abundance of events which differed in complexity and importance. These events had to a smaller or greater degree an influence on the shape of the conscience of the ruling elite and also the conscience of both Lithuanian and Polish citizens. The consequences of the mostly unfortunate events were issues which caused some differences in adopted positions on important social and political matters. The efforts for normalization of diplomatic relations between Poland and Lithuania were undoubtedly taken by both of the countries, thus, on different levels of engagement. It was, however, the problem of different positions they adopted that unfortunately prevented them from reaching the goal of normalization in their diplomatic relations. The lack of agreement led to the Polish ultimatum note directed at Lithuanian government. The ultimatum note of 17th of March 1938 for Lithuania concerned the normalization of relations between Poland and Lithuania according to the international customs since the previous lack of the relations through Lithuania’s fault created a very unfavorable situation. Since the end of the I World War, the relations between Poland and Lithuania had not been correct. The two neighboring countries did not have direct railway, post or road connection. In modern times it was something unusual and unheard of. It is worth mentioning that it was in 1938 that the diplomacy of the two countries tried to make a first step towards the normalization of mutual relations but did not succeed due to the beginning of the II World War. Tarpukariu Lietuvos ir Lenkijos santykiai buvo nulemti skirtingo sudėtingumo ir svarbos įvykių gausos. Šie įvykiai turėjo didesnę ar mažesnę įtaką ne tik valdančiojo elito, bet ir Lietuvos, ir Lenkijos piliečių sąmonei. Nepaisant abiejų valstybių pastangų normalizuoti dvišalius santykius, skirtingos valstybių pozicijos neleido pasiekti kompromiso. Nesutarimas dėl politinių ir socialinių problemų nulėmė Lenkijos sprendimą paskelbti Lietuvos vyriausybei ultimatumą. Ultimatumu buvo siekiama normalizuoti santykius, nes dėl Lietuvos kaltės dvišalių santykių nutraukimas sukūrė labai nepalankią situaciją: tarp kaimyninių valstybių nebuvo tiesioginių kelių, geležinkelio linijos, nebuvo teikiamos tiesioginės pašto paslaugos. Taigi, 1938 metais buvo žengti pirmieji žingsniai, siekiant normalizuoti santykius tarp Lietuvos ir Lenkijos, tačiau šis procesas taip ir nebuvo užbaigtas dėl 1939 metais prasidėjusio Antrojo pasaulinio karo.

  • Issue Year: 2016
  • Issue No: 19
  • Page Range: 39-59
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: English