Politinės studentų demonstracijos tarpukario Kaune

Abstract

During the period between the two world wars Kaunas did not experience much political upheaval which would openly express dissatisfaction with the policy of the state authorities. Historiography on this theme is very scanty and fragmentary. Two student demonstrations – one on the 21st of November, 1926 and the other on the 10th of December, 1938 – occurred during this period. The organisers were students as well as political parties and organisations representing the opposition. The first demonstration of the two mentioned above did not have the purpose of overthrowing the government; it simply expressed the dissatisfaction with the government's work, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Education in particular. However, the demonstration of 1938 attempted to overthrow the government and the President. The reason for such actions was the government's acceptance of the ultimatum from Poland and giving away Klaipėda; such steps were considered a proof of its total incapability to protect the most vital interests of Lithuania. At the same time, the internal policy of the country was characterised by censorship, violence and isolation of people who were thinking differently. The student demonstration of 21 November, 1926 was the prelude to the December 17 coup. The demonstration in 1938 was the result of Poland's ultimatum and was caused by the political behaviour of the government. Such political acts of student disobedience were rare but very important. They show the political maturity of students and their sincere anxiety about the future of Lithuania.