VOKIETIJOS IR SOVIETŲ POLITIKOS POVEIKIS BALTIJOS SĄJUNGOS KŪRIMUI 1919–1940 METAIS
THE IMPPACCT OF GERRMAN ANDD SSOVIVIET POLILITICS TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BALTICIC UNIION IIN 1919–1940

Summary/Abstract: Following the weakening of Rrussia and Germany, modern Baltic states – Llithuania, Llatvia and Eestonia – were established during World War I. Eeven though they succeeded in liberating themselves from the foreign yoke, the newly created states found it impossible to break free from the political and diplomatic influence exerted by the said great states. Postwar democratic development, outburst of democracy in international relations, the foreign policy conducted by Eengland and France in North-Eeastern part of Eeurope, as well as the activities of the Nations Union could lessen this influence only to a certain extent. Tthe process of breaking totally free from this influence was also hindered by the failure of the Baltic countries to unite, join their efforts and thus stabilize the position of the region on the international political scene. The unification and cohesion of the region was also impeded by UuSSRr and Germany, which implemented a conscious and well planned policy, deliberated on the top hierarchy level. It was conceived as a precondition towards the revisionism about to be introduced. In the attempt to undermine the unity of the Baltic states and hinder the establishment of the Uunion, both big states applied an extremely wide range of measures. Within this context, the following five measures, most widely applicable to implement the strategy, will be identified and dealt with: The first measure: Direct threats, mostly practiced by the Soviets. Llatvia and Eestonia were instructed that in the case of establishing the Uunion confrontation policy would be introduced, with the soviet troops deployed near their borders. Llithuania was threatened with an immediate termination of any support related to the Vilnius problem. The second measure: Measures of economic pressure were applied, luring the Baltic countries with the benefit related to the income from Soviet transit and rules of export restrictions to Germany. Tthe third measure: Aattempts were undertaken to discredit the most active supporters of the Baltic union, to oust them form power and force them to resign.the fourth measure: were made to cause tension and discord among the Baltic countries; disagreements on various matters were instigated, in particular focusing on the conflict between Lithuania and Poland. Preconceived notion was imposed in that its union with and would result in reconciliation with Poland, which would not return Vilnius afterwards. Germany tried to exert its influence in and Eestonia, shaping an opinion that ostensibly they should not join forces with Llithuania, which governed the „German“ Klaipėda. After all, Lithuania was known to be a backward country, devoid of any civilization. Furthermore, attempts were made to instill enmity among the politicians of the Baltic countries, by working on their personal ambitions.

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