Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic

Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
Lietuvos Tarybų Socialistinė Respublika (Lithuanian)
Литовская Советская Социалистическая Республика (Russian)
1940–1941
1944–1990
Flag of Lithuanian SSR
Flag
(1953–1988)
State emblem (1940–1990) of Lithuanian SSR
State emblem
(1940–1990)
Motto: Visų šalių proletarai, vienykitės! (Lithuanian)
"Workers of the world, unite!"
Anthem: 
Tautiška giesmė
(1944–1950, 1988–1990)

Anthem of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic
(1950–1988)
Location of annexed Lithuania (red) within the Soviet Union
Location of annexed Lithuania (red) within the Soviet Union
StatusInternationally unrecognized territory occupied by the Soviet Union
(1940–1941; 1944–1990)
CapitalVilnius
Common languagesLithuanian · Russian
Religion
Secular state (de jure)
State atheism (de facto)
Demonym(s)Lithuanian
Soviet
GovernmentUnitary Marxist-Leninist one-party soviet socialist republic (1940–1989)
Unitary multi-party parliamentary republic (1989–1990)
First Secretary 
• 1940–1974
Antanas Sniečkus
• 1974–1987
Petras Griškevičius
• 1987–1988
Ringaudas Songaila
• 1988–1990
Algirdas Brazauskas
Head of state 
• 1940–1967 (first)
Justas Paleckis
• 1990 (last)
Vytautas Landsbergis
Head of government 
• 1940–1956 (first)
Mečislovas Gedvilas
• 1985–1990 (last)
Vytautas Sakalauskas
LegislatureSupreme Soviet
Historical eraWorld War II · Cold War
16 June 1940
• SSR established
21 July 1940
• Illegally annexed by USSR, Lithuania continued de jure
3 August 1940
June 1941
• Soviet re-occupation
SSR re-established
September–November 1944
1988
• Sovereignty declared
18 May 1989
11 March 1990
Area
198965,200 km2 (25,200 sq mi)
Population
• 1989
3,689,779
CurrencySoviet rouble (Rbl) (SUR)
Calling code+7 012
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Lithuania
Lithuania
Today part ofLithuania

The Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (Lithuanian SSR; Lithuanian: Lietuvos Tarybų Socialistinė Respublika; Russian: Литовская Советская Социалистическая Республика, romanizedLitovskaya Sovetskaya Sotsialisticheskaya Respublika), also known as Soviet Lithuania or simply Lithuania, was de facto one of the constituent republics of the Soviet Union between 1940–1941 and 1944–1990. After 1946, its territory and borders mirrored those of today's Republic of Lithuania, with the exception of minor adjustments to its border with Belarus.[1]

During World War II, the previously independent Republic of Lithuania was occupied by the Red Army on 16 June 1940, in conformity with the terms of the 23 August 1939 Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, and established as a puppet state on 21 July.[2] Between 1941 and 1944, the German invasion of the Soviet Union caused its de facto dissolution. However, with the retreat of the Germans in 1944–1945, Soviet hegemony was re-established and continued for forty-five years. As a result, many Western countries continued to recognize Lithuania as an independent, sovereign de jure state subject to international law, represented by the legations appointed by the pre-1940 Baltic states, which functioned in various places through the Lithuanian Diplomatic Service.

On 18 May 1989, the Lithuanian SSR declared itself to be a sovereign state, though still part of the USSR. On 11 March 1990, the Republic of Lithuania was re-established as an independent state, the first Soviet Republic to leave Moscow and leading other states to do so. Lithuania considered the Soviet occupation and annexation illegal and, like the other two Baltic States, claimed state continuity. This legal continuity has been recognised by most Western powers. The Soviet authorities considered the independence declaration illegal, but after the January Events in Lithuania and failed 1991 Soviet coup attempt in Moscow, the Soviet Union itself recognized Lithuanian independence on 6 September 1991.

  1. ^ "Закон о принятии Литовской Советской Социалистической Республики в Союз Советских Социалистических Республик. от 3 августа 1940 года".
  2. ^ Ronen, Yaël (2011). Transition from Illegal Regimes Under International Law. Cambridge University Press. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-521-19777-9.