Už vientisą ir laisvą Respubliką : Vilniaus miestiečiai 1794 metų sukilime

Abstract

In March of 1794, an uprising against the Russian army began in Poland. A month later the uprising swept over Lithuania. Fighting began for the liberation of Vilnius which later became the centre of the uprising in Lithuania. The Constitution of 1791 enabled Vilnius citizens to take part in the country's political life. However, this possibility was later limited by the Gardinas Seimas, which was the main reason why the discontented citizens were so active in the uprising. On the basis of the City Law of April 18, 1791 and the Constitution of May 3, the regional officers, elected in April 1792, came back to join Vilnius Magistrate. The majority of its members were also leaders of the uprising. For some time, the Magistrate worked together with the Civilian Military Board. The citizens of Vilnius became members of the leading bodies of the uprising. They made up about 25% of various deputations and about 10% of the Principal Council of Lithuania. Though they were not particularly influential in these institutions, the very fact of their acceptance was a significant step towards the abolishment of estates. The conditions were extreme. The regular responsibilities of the magistrate demanded more effort than usual. In addition, new problems arose, e.g. to organize armed squads of citizens, to supervise war prisoners, to supply the army with trans port, etc. The income drastically decreased while the expenses increased. Therefore, citizens were not payed or only partially payed for their services. New taxes were introduced and the magistrate was forced to ash the leadership of the uprising for financial support. The main contribution of Vilnius citizens to the uprising was the organization of the Vilnius Citizens' Guard. At the beginning, it was organized on voluntary basis, yet later recruiting was based on L.Gucevičius' project. Though at first the leaders of the uprising strongly approved of the guard their attitude gradually changed, and they started distrusting the units which were based on the territorial principle. Armed teams of Vilnius citizens patrolled the streets and guarded prisoners. Their contribution was especially great on July 19 and 20, when then managed to hold the city against the Russian arm-, practically on their own. When the Russian army entered Vilnius, the majority of Vilnius citizens swore allegiance to the Russian empress, since they feared repressions and confiscation. The former officers of the pre-revolt period returned to the magistrate the activities of which were greatly limited.