Priešo įvaizdžio įsitvirtinimas: Lenkijos suvokimas Lietuvoje 1919-1920 metais

Abstract

The problem of Lithuanian - Polish relationship during the interwar period has attracted attention of many scholars, but scientific research referring to the analysis of widely accepted considerations of Lithuanians concerning Poland limited itself to the evaluation of the position of governmental structures and political groups. This article tries to involve a broader social context and pays a special attention to the object that has been insufficiently investigated up till now - perception of Poland among common Lithuanian people during 1919- 1920. The article, while referring to a very limited data, aims to reveal the prevailing considerations among the broader strata of society and their interaction with the position of political elite. The article shows how the image of Poland as an enemy, which had been growing for decades though decreased during the war period by Poland, and due to the Lithuanian state position as well as the actions of Lithuanian and Polish politicians recovered and consolidated within the Lithuanian society and acted as an uncontrolled power influencing the political life of Lithuania. A mutual relationship could be seen: many actions were directly determined by the prevailing consideration. On the other hand, behaviour of the political elite influenced the formation of Poland's image. The most negative features were attributed to the Lithuanian Polish; they were treated as the traitors of homeland for social and economical interests. The most important periods for this very process were the summer of 1919 and the autumn of 1920 when the actions of Poland facilitated the explosion of suspicion and anger concealed in the society.