Kas Yra Tauta : Vedlio Misija Istorijoje
What is the Nation: Role of the Leader in History

Summary/Abstract: The strong wave of national revival that started in 19th century forced the new Lithuanian intellectuals to reflect on the concept and nature of nation. On the one hand, J. Šliūpas gave an extensive definition of nation that includes material, spiritual and ethical foundations. However, the representatives of romantic views stated that the basis of the nation is language, which conceals the spirit of nation. M. Römeris and J. Herbačiauskas disagreed with interpretation of natural background of the nation and emphasized the importance of deliberate choice. A related question is the question of the national hero: the importance of person for the self-creation of the nation. Though both Catholic intellectuals and socialists stated that the main creator of history is mankind (Catholics) or class (Marxists), the view that the eminent personality was the formative factor for the nation, i.e. its worldview and values, began to prevail.

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