2023/03/31 by Jašinauskas, Linas
#FOS: History and archaeology
paper · doi:10.60513/rrne-3s59
The article analyzes the narrative used by the authors of Lithuanian history textbooks (11 items published in the last ten years, intended for grades 5-12) to describe the issues of rebirth and the functioning of Lithuanian and Polish states during World War I and in the first years after its end. The analysis showed that special attention was paid to the genesis of Lithuania's rebirth – phenomena related to Lithuanian social and political life. Textbooks for grades 9–12 more clearly link the attempts to regain independence initiated by the Lithuanian political class with the situation in Europe at that time. In terms of Poland, textbooks most often mention the importance that the Entente countries attached to its independence and the numerous armed conflicts that flared up at the dawn of its independence. The narrative of the authors of the textbooks also introduces students to the diverse concepts of Lithuanian and Polish politicians related to the reconstruction of Lithuanian statehood and its alternatives, such as the idea of rebuilding the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.