Wileńszczyzna jako problem geopolityczny w XX wieku

ENThe appearance of the question of the region of Vilna in the form observed in the 20th century was the consequence of existence of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the years 1569-1795. This was linked, first of all, with the development of the Polish ethnic island, situated at a certain distance from the traditional Polish ethnic area, and separating two, traditionally functioning in this region, ethnic areas: the Belarusian and the Lithuanian ones. It appeared as the effect of the Lithuanian-Belarusian borderland, in specific cultural conditions of the territories of the ancient Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In view of the historical and cultural conditions, the main competitors for the political rule over the region became Poland, Lithuania and Belarus’, as well as Russia, closely politically linked with the three countries. In some periods, Germany also aspired to the role of a player deciding of the fate of the region. The factor that made the geopolitical situation of the region of Vilna especially complicated was the development of the Polish ethnic area on its territory. Were it not for this factor, the issue of political rule would have concerned only two countries: Lithuania and Belarus’. Polish territorial demands concerned the areas, which separated the two potential adversaries. These demands were also hard to realise in view of the spatial separation of the Polish ethnic island from the Polish ethnic mainland. The dispute over Vilna, which took place after the World War I, ended with the success of Poland. The peace treaty, signed between Poland and Soviet Russia in Riga, as well as pushing away of the Lithuanians from Vilna, decided on the shape of the boundaries in this area for two decades. The territory of Poland, adapting to the Polish ethnic area, drove a wedge between the independent Lithuania and the Soviet Belarus’, touching in the North directly the territory of the independent Latvia.World War II made the problem of the region of Vilna surface again. The secret agreement between the Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, concerning the division of the zones of influence in Eastern Europe, was concluded. Lithuania and eastern part of Poland (including Vilna) were ultimately incorporated into the Soviet Union. The contribution of the Red Army to victory over Hitler even strengthened this incorporation. The region of Vilna was divided up. The western part, including Vilna, was incorporated into the Soviet Lithuania. The eastern, much bigger part, was incorporated into the Soviet Belarus’. The Polish ethnic area of this region was, therefore, divided by an important political and administrative boundary. The agreement on the population exchange between USSR and Poland was meant to resolve the ethnic problems. Soviet authorities, though, allowed for leaving only half of the Polish population, mainly the urban dwellers. The reach of the Polish rural population did not change. Poles gained a limited ethnic autonomy only in Lithuania (schools, press, folk ensembles). In Belarus’ the politics of assimilation was conducted. The order, to which the inhabitants of the region of Vilna were subordinated owing to the World War II, lasted until the end of the 1980s. It was only the liberalisation of the period of “perestroika” that made the problem of the region of Vilna surface again. The majority of the Lithuanian Poles wanted autonomy within the ethnic boundaries, which was seen by the Lithuanians as the first step towards secession.Lithuania, aiming at regaining of independence, succeeded in stopping the drive of the Polish autonomists. The conflict was avoided, but the issue continues to cause numerous controversies in mutual relations between the Lithuanians and the Lithuanian Poles. The possibilities of conducting various activities that the Polish minority have in Lithuania nowadays, are, however, much broader than during the Soviet period. The collapse of the Soviet Union brought back the Polish problem also in Belarus’. Polish minority started to organise themselves, first Polish schools were established after several decades of absence. Yet, organisational activity of the local Poles is limited by the political system, in force in Belarus’, and, like in Lithuania, by the apprehension as to the potential increase of the Polish political demands.