Founding father, dictator: President Antanas Smetona to finally get a monument in Vilnius
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An important figure in Lithuania’s drive for independence after World War One, Smetona was elected the first president of the young republic by the State Council in April 1920 and stayed in the post for one year. In 1926, however, he led a military coup and headed a nationalist dictatorship until 1940. Following the Soviet occupation of the country, Smetona fled the country, initially to Germany and eventually ending up in the United States. He was killed in a house fire in 1944.
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An important figure in Lithuania’s drive for independence after World War One, Smetona was elected the first president of the young republic by the State Council in April 1920 and stayed in the post for one year. In 1926, however, he led a military coup and headed a nationalist dictatorship until 1940. Following the Soviet occupation of the country, Smetona fled the country, initially to Germany and eventually ending up in the United States. He was killed in a house fire in 1944.
I hadn't really thought about this part of Smetona's history.
He's also the guy who decided to allow Soviet military bases on Lithuania's territory in 1939 (or 1938?), leading to Soviet Union occupying all of Lithuania in 1940, from those bases. Soviet Union demanded those bases in all four countries that were considered Baltic countries back then. Finland refused. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania agreed. Things evolved from that and now we talk about three Baltic countries.
This decision by Smetona had hefty consequences indeed. Of course, the geography is different for Baltic countries: They are on the way from Central Europe to St. Petersburg. Finland is not.
But still, he's a guy who made the decision to give Lithuania to Soviet Union. I woudn't have thought Lithuanians might consider as having been a net-positive for their country.
Ah well... Would be interesting hearing what some actual Lithuanians hold of this. Does for example @dcoderlt@ohai.social have some insight to give here? :)
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