Petras Klimas. Lithuania, Its Inhabitants and Borders

Description

During the First World War, when Germany occupied Lithuania, it was time to act and work towards the country's independence. The borders of the future state also had to be decided. They were defined in a well-reasoned way by Petras Klimas. Drawing on earlier insights from Lithuanian political debates, scholarly research and a wealth of statistical material, in the autumn of 1916 he reworked his study Lithuania, its population and borders. The book was published in German, French, Lithuanian and Polish between 1916 and 1919. Lithuanian politicians and diplomats used its conclusions in the negotiations on the borders of the restored state in 1919-1921. Klimas continued his research on Lithuanian history and became a recognised expert on the issue of borders. Not only his earlier public and journalistic activities, but also this study led him to the Lithuanian Council, and later led the signatory of the Act of Independence to choose diplomatic activity. The National Museum of Lithuania presents a book that contributed to the transformation of abstract political ideas into the Act of Independence, and soon afterwards into the vibrant, driven Lithuanian state.