When did Lithuania become the first of the 15 Soviet Republics to declare its independence?
March 1990
Understanding Lithuania's Declaration of Independence
This question asks about a significant historical event: when Lithuania declared its independence from the Soviet Union, becoming the first of the 15 Soviet Republics to do so. This event was a key moment in the process leading to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Lithuania's Path to Independence
Lithuania, like other Baltic states (Estonia and Latvia), was forcibly annexed by the Soviet Union during World War II. Throughout the Soviet era, there were movements advocating for independence. In the late 1980s, as the Soviet Union under Mikhail Gorbachev introduced reforms like Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring), opportunities for greater autonomy and eventually independence arose.
Popular fronts and independence movements gained momentum in the Baltic republics. Lithuania's Sajūdis movement was particularly strong.
The Historic Declaration in March 1990
On March 11, 1990, the newly elected Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania adopted the "Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania". This act declared the restoration of the independent Republic of Lithuania that existed before the Soviet occupation.
This declaration was a bold move, as it directly challenged the authority of the central Soviet government in Moscow. Lithuania was indeed the first of the Soviet Republics to make such a declaration.
| Event | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Lithuania declares independence | March 11, 1990 | First Soviet Republic to declare independence |
| Subsequent events | 1990-1991 | Other republics follow; Soviet Union dissolves |
Analyzing the Options
Let's look at the provided options in light of this historical context:
- January 1990: While independence movements were active, the official declaration did not happen this month.
- February 1990: Independence was not declared in February.
- March 1990: This is the month when the Supreme Council of Lithuania adopted the Act of Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania, making it the first Soviet Republic to declare independence.
- April 1990: This date is after the actual declaration took place.
Therefore, based on the historical timeline, March 1990 is the correct month when Lithuania declared its independence, marking a pivotal moment in the decline of the Soviet Union.
Revision Table: Lithuania Independence
| Key Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 11, 1990 | Lithuania declares the re-establishment of its independence. |
| Early 1990s | Period of independence declarations by Soviet Republics. |
| December 1991 | Dissolution of the Soviet Union. |
Additional Information: Dissolution of Soviet Union Context
The declaration of independence by Lithuania was followed by similar declarations from other Soviet Republics throughout 1990 and 1991. This wave of declarations, coupled with internal political and economic challenges within the Soviet Union, ultimately led to its formal dissolution in December 1991. The Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) played a crucial role as pioneers in asserting their sovereignty.
Understanding the sequence of these independence declarations helps in grasping the rapid changes that occurred in Eastern Europe at the end of the Cold War.
Important Questions from The End of Bipolarity
A leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991 who introduced policies of Perestroika (economic and political reform) and Glasnost (openness) and also stopped the arms race with the United States. Identify him from the following.
NIEO stands for:
In which year did the Russian Parliament declare its independence from the Soviet Union?
Which plan influenced the establishment of the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation in 1948?
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Vladimir Lenin founded the Bolshevik Party
Statement II: Joseph Stalin was the successor to Lenin and led the Soviet Union during its consolidation
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
