Lithuanian raison d'état

In 19th-century Lithuania

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== In 19th-century Lithuania == == In 19th-century Lithuania == Even after the Commonwealth's independence was destroyed in the 18th century [[Partitions of Poland|Partitions]], the Polonization of Lithuania continued. Continuing Polish cultural influence led to the 19th-century[[Lithuanian National Revival]] as a defensive reaction, when [[Lithuanian culture]] slowly reappeared as a vigorous force. However, this revival was seen as a threat by [[Polish nationalism|Polish nationalists]] fighting for an independent Poland. Even after the Commonwealth's independence was destroyed in the 18th century [[Partitions of Poland|Partitions]], the Polonization of Lithuania continued. Continuing Polish cultural influence led to the 19th-century [[Lithuanian National Revival]] as a defensive reaction, when [[Lithuanian culture]] slowly reappeared as a vigorous force. However, this revival was seen as a threat by [[Polish nationalism|Polish nationalists]] fighting for an independent Poland.

In the words of the historian {{Interlanguage link|Bronius Makauskas|lt|4=pl}}:<blockquote>The main problem with Lithuanian-Polish coexistence has been programmed into their cultural heritage, which each side evaluates differently or does not want to analyze critically at all. The [[Lithuanian nobility|political elite of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania]], having adopted the [[Polish language]], opened the gates for [[Polonisation|Polonization]]. Neither then nor later did anyone create levers for maintaining or promoting the Lithuanian language. As a result, the process of Lithuanian culture went forward through, and by means of, the Polish language, in which masterpieces of [[high culture]] were created in Lithuania. Suffice it to recall [[Adam Mickiewicz]], [[Władysław Syrokomla]], [[Józef Ignacy Kraszewski]], and [[Stanisław Moniuszko]], without whom [[Polish culture]] would be inconceivable. Unfortunately for the Lithuanians, the romantic visions and images of Lithuania harbored by Mickiewicz and Kraszewski not only encouraged the Lithuanian patriotic movement that led to so-called “Lithuanian separatism,” but also helped to solidify the Polish image of Lithuania as a Polish area that can in no way be separated from, nor exist independently of, Poland.{{Sfn|Makauskas|2012}}</blockquote> In the words of the historian {{Interlanguage link|Bronius Makauskas|lt|4=pl}}:<blockquote>The main problem with Lithuanian-Polish coexistence has been programmed into their cultural heritage, which each side evaluates differently or does not want to analyze critically at all. The [[Lithuanian nobility|political elite of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania]], having adopted the [[Polish language]], opened the gates for [[Polonisation|Polonization]]. Neither then nor later did anyone create levers for maintaining or promoting the Lithuanian language. As a result, the process of Lithuanian culture went forward through, and by means of, the Polish language, in which masterpieces of [[high culture]] were created in Lithuania. Suffice it to recall [[Adam Mickiewicz]], [[Władysław Syrokomla]], [[Józef Ignacy Kraszewski]], and [[Stanisław Moniuszko]], without whom [[Polish culture]] would be inconceivable. Unfortunately for the Lithuanians, the romantic visions and images of Lithuania harbored by Mickiewicz and Kraszewski not only encouraged the Lithuanian patriotic movement that led to so-called “Lithuanian separatism,” but also helped to solidify the Polish image of Lithuania as a Polish area that can in no way be separated from, nor exist independently of, Poland.{{Sfn|Makauskas|2012}}</blockquote>