Lithuania Minor and Prussia on the old maps (1806–2008)

Abstract While continuing researches on ancient cartography (Lukosevicius 2013) the publication is aimed at viewing maps of Lithuania Minor and Prussia in the perspective of historical events, with a special emphasis on most important historical events as well as cartography development moments. The method used is analysis of different maps, by different authors, found in cartographical archives. The article presents the authors and designers 48 maps of Lithuania Minor and Prussia and discusses map characteristics. It also provides links that are helpful for the readers interested in a more detailed studies of specific maps. Summarizing research results the authors conclude that ancient maps where Lithuania Minor is marked are true historical witnesses helping to understand long and complicated formation process of Lithuania Minor and the state of Lithuania; however the analysis alone is insufficient to fully reveal its historic concept.


Maps expansion of Prussia, 1806-1871
When Napoleon's Russian campaign ended in disaster 1812 Prussia joined France's enemies again and its status as great power was restored at the Congress of Vienna. Its population and territory were roughly the same size as before 1806, but the territory had shifted to the south-west and a greater proportion of its population was therefore of German nationality in a greater extent. The German Confederation was created at the same time as a replacement for the dissolved Holy Roman Empire, this institution would however with time be more and more regarded as temporary solution only. The issue of Germany's unification would dominate the next half cetury. 201 years ago, on 24 June 1812, started the Russian campaign of Napoleon. With a total of about 475,000 soldiers, all in all, including rear-guard, about 610,000 men and 200,000 horses, Napoleon crossed the Russian border behind Klaipėda (Memel). The Fig. 1 shows Napoleon's additions to France and states under Napoleon's control, 1812.
In Fig. 2 map of Prussia and Poland to illustrate the campaigns of 1806. Publication: "Atlas to Alison's History of Europe", by Alexander. Keith Johnston, published by William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh Engraver: Anon. An engraving of central and eastern Europe during the Napoleonic era. Places where battles, fought in 1806, have been underlined. The map shows the newly created Duchy of Warsaw which was formely recognised by Prussia by the Treaty of Tilsit in 1807.
Alexander Keith Johnston (1804-1871), Scottish cartographer and geographer royal of Scotland. He issued many notable atlases, maps, and gazetteers, including The National Atlas of Historical, Commercial, and Political Geography (1843), The Physical Atlas of Natural Phenomena (1848), The Dictionary of Geography (1850; known as Johnston's Gazetteer), and The Royal Atlas of Modern Geography (1861). The maps were drawn for Alison's History of Europe by Alexander Johnston and drew high praise from historians and military experts when they were first published in 1850. In 1815 Prussia emerged from the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna as the dominant Germanic power. Its new borders included much of the Kingdom of Saxony, Rhineland, and Poland. In subsequent years Prussia would take a leading role in governing the German Confederation. The whole is beautifully engraved in the minimalist English style pioneered in the early part of the 19th century. Thomson maps are known for their stunning color, awe inspiring size, and magnificent detail. Thomson's work, including this map, represents some of the finest cartographic art of the 19th century. Relief is shown by hachure with towns, cities, and major topographical features identified. Engraved in 1815 and issued as plate no. 22 in the 1817 edition of Edinburgh cartographer John Thomson's New General Atlas.
Cartographer John Thomson was one of the leading masters of the Edinburgh school of cartography which flourished from roughly 1800 to 1830. Thomson and his contemporaries (Pinkerton and Cary) re-

Fig. 2. Map of Prussia and Poland by Alexander Keith
Johnston, 1806 Source: http://www.napoleonguide.com/maps_hmprpol06.htm defined European cartography by abandoning typical 18th century decorative elements such as elaborate title cartouches and fantastic beasts in favor of detail and accuracy. Thomson's principle works include the "Thomson's New General Atlas" published from 1814 to 1827 and his "Atlas of Scotland". The "Atlas of Scotland", a work of groundbreaking detail and dedication would eventually bankrupt the Thomson firm in 1830. Today Thomson maps are becoming increasingly rare as they are highly admired for their monumental size, vivid hand coloration, and superb detail.
In Fig. 4 detailled map of Prussia by Mollo Tranquillo, 1817 with its neighboring countries and the Baltic sea, divided up in its various provinces. With many engraved names of cities, villages and smaller places. A good map of Prussia after the newest cartographic scources in Vienna published. In the lower corner a small mileage scale and a table of explanations, as well a listing of Prussia's provinces. Prussia is divided up in political regions with outline and body colors. Moreover the various kingdoms are additional equipped with information of the various counties. Streets, rivers, mountains and many small cities and villages are engraved.
Mollo Tranquillo (1767-1837) was an Italian, engraver, printer and publisher. Collaborated with several French and English map makers and published Dirwaldt's atlas, but his works rarely appear on the market.
In Fig. 5  Alexander George Findlay (1812-1875), was an English geographer and hydrographer. He early devoted himself to the compilation of geographical and hydrographical works, and his atlases of "Ancient and Comparative Geography" are known all over the world.
In 1851 he completed the revision of Brookes's "Gazetteer", and the same year published his earliest important work, on the "Coasts and Islands of the Pacific Ocean", in 2 vols. of 1,400 pages. As a cartographer Findlay exhibited a wide practical knowledge of trated Atlas", one of the last decorative atlases. The five vignettes include a portrait of Frederick the Great and prospect of Berlin and a view of the Branderburg Gate.
John Tallis is considered among the renowned cartographers of the 19th century. John Tallis was born in the year 1838. Not only he was an expert cartographer, John Tallis was a renowned publisher too. John Tallis established the Tallis and Company and produced some of the best maps under that banner. One of the famous maps published by John's company was the Illustrated Atlas of World in the year of 1851. It was published in 1849 and the illustrations were done by J. Rapkin. Wide usage of vignettes and the sailor's requirements which even the hydrographic department of the admiralty was not able to surpass, and he executed a series of charts universally known and appreciated by the mercantile marine. In 1844 Findlay was elected a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. In 1870 the Società Geografica Italiana elected him one of its foreign honorary members. Findlay's various publications embrace a total of no less than ten thousand pages, all of which are in active use.
In Fig. 7 a delightfully whimsical 1846 map of Prussia, from a German kinderatlas or children's atlas. The map details the Kingdom of Prussia from Memel to Opplen as far as Aachen in the west with divisions shown by color coding. The whole is surrounded by a wide border featuring charming vignettes meant to illustrate the peoples and cultures of the region. These include the names of the various Prussian provinces at the bottom, two Prussian soldiers at each side, illustrations of important buildings on the top left and right corners, etc.
The map is accompanied by its adjacent page, which includes a poetic history of the Kingdom of Prussia in German gothic type. The wonderful and rare map was drawn by Anst. V. A. Boeden of Berlin in the 1846 issue of Julius Loewenberg's Geographische Landerfibel.
Cartographer Julius Loewenberg (1800-1893) was a German Jewish printer, geographer, and author active in Berlin during the middle part of the 19th century. Loewenberg was born in the Duchy of Posen. He attended Yeshiva in Kleczewo (Poland) and graduated to the Protestant Gymnasium of Thorn before moving on to study Christian theology and geography at the Universtiy of Berlin. His works include various atlases, histories, and several translations of the works of Alexander von Humboldt, with whom he was apparently close.
In Fig. 8  In Fig. 9 map of Prussia by John Tallis, 1851. Map was drawn and engraved by John Rapkin for the "Illus- Adolf Stieler (1775-1836) was a German cartographer who worked most of his life in the Justus Perthes Geographical Institute in Gotha. His atlases are deservedly held in high esteem for their excellence. His Handatlas was the leading German world atlas un- til the middle of the 20th century, parts of which were printed until 1944. 352 works in 639 publications in 12 languages. In Fig. 11 fascinating 1862 map by Justus Perthes and A. Stieler depicts Prussia and the states of northeastern Germany. Unlike other cartographic publishers of the period, the Justus Perthes firm, did not transition to lithographic printing techniques. Instead, all of his maps are copper plate engravings and hence offer a level of character and depth of detail that was impossible to find in lithography or wax-process engraving. All text in German. Issued in the 1862 edition of Stieler's Schul-Atlas.
Cartographer Justus Perthes (1749-1812) was one of the most important German cartographic engravers of the 19th century. Perthes began his publishing empire with the 1784 issue of the famed survey of European nobility known as the Almanac de Gotha. In 1817 Perthes switched his focus to cartographic publishing. From 1817 to 1890 the Perthes firm would issue thousands of maps for more than 20 different atlases. Along with the visionary editors Stieler, Peterman, Meyer and Spruner, the Perthes firm pioneered the Hand Atlas. He also produced a number of important wall maps and case maps. From 1817 to 1890 the Perthes firm would issue thousands of maps for more than 20 different atlases.
In Fig. 12 is presented map of Prussia by Alvin J. Johnson. This beautiful map shows Germanic nation as it was form a brief period in mid 19th century. It shows the areas geographic features, railroads, roads, cities and towns. Political divisions are delineated in hand applied pastel colors. Each is slightly different as the colors were applied by hand. Map is extraordinary examples of the 19th century printing and engraving arts.
Alvin Jewett Johnson (1827-1884) was a prolific American map publisher active from 1856 to the mid-1880s. Johnson was born into a poor family in Wallingford, Vermont where he received only a based public education. He is known to have worked as school teacher for several years before moving to Richmond, Virginia. Johnson got his first taste of the map business and a salesman and book canvasser for J. H. Colton and company. Alvin J. Johnson was not the most famous of American atlas publishers of the 19 th Century, in fact in most cartography texts he is merely an afterthought. However, family reference book. The fact Johnson most likely played a role in financially saving the failing Colton firm is probably as an important, if not greater, than his contribution to cartography.his atlases were extremely popular, as evidenced by their current availability relative to those of his competitors, and his success as a salesman and publisher helped establish the atlas as vital. In Fig. 13 map Gemany and Prussia by Mitchel, Samuel Augustus, 1865. This is one of the finest maps of Gemany and Prussia ever created. It was made to the unification of Prussia and the various Germanic States. The border is striking and the colors more vibrant than most other 19th century maps of this region. The original hand-painted map, from which this replica was made, was created by the second generation one of America's finest mapmaking families, Samuel Mitchell, Jr. of Philadelphia. This map was the one of the first created under son's watch, so he spared no expense to create one of the finest maps ever made.   With the coming war, the borders (particularly in the West) would be changing often and this view of the U.S. is fascinating.

Caricature and comic maps of Prussia
In Fig. 14 caricature map of Prussia, published in "Geographical Fun. Humorous Outlines of Various Countries", priced five shillings. The map was supposedly drawn by a fifteen year old girl, with the verse underneath by "Aleph", a pseudonym for William Harvey 1796-1873).
He was a popular journalist and author of "London Scenes and London People...", published in 1863. After the Battle of Sadowa, in which the Prussians destroyed the Austrian army with a new needle gun, Count Bismark of Prussia is approached by the other German states to head the North German Confederation.
In Fig. 15 comic map of Europe by Federic Rose, also called "Novel Carte de Europe designed for 1870"; England enraged forgets Ireland but still keeps it in her power; Spain and Portugal smoke away lazily; France tries to overthrow Prussia who advances one hand on Holland and knee over Austria; Italy advises Bismark to keep off; Corsica and Sardinia laugh on at all; Denmark hopes to recover Holstein; Turkey is drowsily awaking from smoke; Sweden crouchng like a panther; Russia as a beggar trying for anything to fill his basket. Whether imperial, soviet or post-communist, Russia is a favourite subject of octopodal cartography.

86
V. Lukoševičius. Lithuania Minor and Prussia on the old maps  So was its near-namesake, Prussia. A CLO map of the German Empire's core state dated 1915 (Fig. 16). The rather comical head of this Prussian Octopus is centred on Berlin, and its tentacles are scraping together extra territory from the general neighbourhood.
The pictorial map shows how Prussia has stolen one province after another from her neighbours and, like a baleful octopus, is still stretching out her tentacles to grasp further acquisitions.

Maps of Prussia within the Kaiserreich, 1871-1919
Before unification, German territory was made up of 27 constituent states. These states consisted of kingdoms, grand duchies, duchies, principalities, free Hanseatic cities and one imperial territory. The Kingdom of Prussia was the largest of the constituent states, covering some 60% of the territory of the German Empire (Figs 18 and 19).

Ethnic and Linguistic maps of Lithuania Minor
Determining ethnic-historical boundaries of countries is a very significant problem not only in case of Lithuania but in other countries too. The basic criterion in determine lands, inhibited by Lithuanians is to use historically documented resources. In this case the boundaries appear to be well-known. Historical land of Lithuania Minor is very well-known from German documents (Lietuvininkų žodis 1995; Pėteraitis et al. 2003;Garšva 2008; Mažoji Lietuva 2010). Our research considers it both interesting and important to dispute both Ethnic and Linguistic maps (Figs 21,22) as they reveal the extent of the Lithuanian language area, however, there are very few such maps preserved.
Two main factors helped Lithuanians perceive themselves nationally as a separate community, i.e. native tongue and ethnic culture. "Prussian Lithuanians were not a nation, only an ethnic group, that fulfilled criteria required to ethnos (ethnie) by Anthony D. Smith: common selfname or ethnonym, faith in common ancestry, common history, existence in historically stable territory, one or some signs of culture, solidarity feeling of a group" (Strakauskaitė 2001). Limited data regarding the Lithuanian language only moderately reveal its usage extent and users in Lithuania Minor. The rare data are found to be highly informative.
In 1584 K. Hennenberger in his work "Kurcze und wahrhaftige Beschreibung des Landės czu Preussen" (Koenigsberg 1584) pointed the boundaries of the Lithuanian language in Prussia. According to K. Hennenberger, Insterburg county is settled mainly by Lithuanians: "fast eitel Litau-er", however, the southern border of the Lithuanian language in Prussia goes along the Prieglius river, in the east it reaches the Great Lakes of Mozurija. If to take this border line into accout, the following areas are left outside: Piliava together with Karaliaučius, Girduva, Ungura and Galdapė. The Lithuanian-speaking area at that time in Prussia covered approximately 15,000 km 2 . In the 16th century the ethnographic area of Lithuania together with language area was divided into four provinces: Palatinate of Vilnius, Palatinate of Trakai, Duchy of Samogitia, Prussian Lithuania (Pakštas 1939).  At the beginning of the 17 c. Lithuanian ethnographic area covered 114,000 km 2 , i.e. as many as at the start of the state in the 13th c. (Fig. 22).
In Fig. 23 the language situation in Lithuania Minor in 1876 as described by professor Königsberg i. Pr. Friedrich Kurschat. The blue line indicates the extent of the Lithuanian language area in 1876.
Richard Boeckh in his book "German Population Census and Language Area in European Countries" using the official data about the population census in Prussia in 1861 created colourful ethnic map, called "Language Map of the State of Prussia". This is the first map to indicate settlements, inhabited by Lithuanians, Germans, the Polish, the Polish of Mozurai and Kursininkai. Its reproduction was used by Vincas Vileisis in his book: "National Relations in Lithuania Minor" (Vileišis 1935).
The culture of Lithuania Minor was basically destroyed during the eight decades . If due to plague in 1709-1711 in Lithuania Minor approximately of the the population died (150 000), so after the ban of Lithuanian schools in 1864-1925 the official number of Lithuanians reduced over a half (78 000) (Kushner 1951). In 1905 after the adoption of resolution for the autonomy of Vilnius in the Great Seimas in Vilnius there arouse a necessity to announce the world that Lithuania existed, is existing and will exist. A year later the first Lithuania map" Map of Lithuania and its Peripheries" was published. In 1918 in Lousana Juozas Gabrys published "Ethnographical Map of Europe". About 1918 in Geneva Antanas Viskanta created "Lithuania's Ethnographical Map", which shows the spread of the Lithuanian language in the part, belonging to Russia according to the data of 1897, as well as to Prussia according to the data of 1900 (Signatarų namai 2012). The map also includes seven insertions, depicting historical periods of Lithuania: Lithuania before its division (1772-1795); Lithuania as a European state; Lithuania in prehistoric times; the Duchy of Lithuania, reigned by Mindaugas (1242-1263); the Duchy of Lithuania, reigned by Gediminas (1316-1341); Lithuanian lands during the reign of Algirdas and Kęstutis (1345-1377); Lithuanian lands during the reign of Vytautas Magnus (1392-1439). Full description of this map is performed by R. Girkus (Girkus 1999).
Vladas Daumantas (Vladislovas Dzimidavičius) (1885-1977) was a diplomat of Lithuania, a political character and collector. Since 1919 January 10 he was a plenipotentiary of the Republic of Lithuania in Switzerland; in 1944 he moved west and since 1951 lived in the USA.

Maps of East Prussia, 1878-1937
A major event in German history was the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, making Germany a world power. It was during this war that, in 1870, Prussian Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck orchestrated the unification of the German states. The Creator of the map-Petras. Vileišis, 1905  German province of East Prussia, the earlier Ducal Prussia, and before that of the Monastic State of the Teutonic Knights. Map has a seperate index page identifying streets and sites. Fig. 35 presents A. Macijauskas' created in 1900, the scale 1: 840 000, Lithuanian Latvian map. This is the first original Lithuanian map. As it was published during the Lithuanian press banning period , its place-names and the legend are printed in Latin. The greater part of its editon was confiscated by the zcarist regime and the author of the map was sued. In 1904, after the cancel of press banning, the author of the map won his case in court. The map was published in St. Petersburg, A. Iljin cartography enterprise.

Old Lithuania Minor on the maps nowdays cartographers
Treasuring great respect for their own historical memory and referring to the criteria of truth and patriotism, cartography researchers of Old Lithuania strted resoring and presenting for the public the maps of historical lands. A few of them are presented here (Figs 40-48).
of East Prussia to be separated from the rest of Germany. The Rosenberg District was at this time contained in East Prussia. Klaipėda (Ger., Memel) and its surrounding district were severed from Prussia by the Treaty of Versailles. In 1923 Klaipėda region was returned to the Lithuania. Active members of Lithuanian government and active citizens of Lithuania Minor tried to join both parts of the country into one, independant state within ethnographic boundaries. Their efforts failed to succeed. Only a small part of Lithuania Minor, Karaliaučius region, could be attached to Lithuania (Stikliorius 1980). Even nowadays there are opinions that this area should be passed on to Lithuania; such passing would be unlawful revision of Potsdam agreements, i.e. "lawful act" (Brakas 1976;Pėteraitis et al. 2003;Iškauskas 2011). The pass of Karaliaučius region to Lithuania could be a compensation for the damage made during the ocupation period.
The larger southern part of East Prussia is now Polish territory, the northern portion around Königsberg came to Russia. Such way the former Soviet Union has secured an access to the Baltic Sea, together with the adherent port. However, this area has become an exclave since Lithuania came away from Russia and turned to the West.  Romas Batūra map (Fig. 41), made after Petras Dusburgietis "Chronical of Prussian Land" introduces regions of Prussian land, settlements, castles by crusaders, Prussians, Jotvingiai, Lithuanians, battle or figh-    Deutschland-Strassenkarten (1918-1945 Source: http:/www.landkartenarchiv.de/conti8_193036.php Algirdas Gustaitis (1916Gustaitis ( -2002 is a well-known writer, historian, journalist, cartographer and researcher of Lithuanian and Prussian cultures. While working for Vilnius University library he accumulated knowledge in history and cartography, which later used to preapare the map of Lithuania. (Fig. 42). He used to write commentaries to historical maps in order Juozas Andrius (Andžejauskas) (1900−1988) Lithuanian army colonel worked in War topography department: he taught topography in 1930-34 in Military School and also made maps. During German occupation he lived in Lithuania but in 1944 moved to Germany. Later he emigrated to the USA and lived in Boston and Los Angeles. He succeessfully compiled the following maps: Political map of Lithuania, Geographical map of Lithuania (together with A. Salys, 1956), Ethnographical borders of Lithuania (1968), School map of Lithuania's map for schools (1973), Lithuania (in English, 1978), Map of Lithuania with ethnographical borders of regions (1979).
Historic map of Lithuania Minor (Fig. 44) was made by Algirdas Matulevicius in 1989. It shows borders of Lithuania Minor, Lithuanian province, Lithuanian (Gumbines) department, East Prussia (Karalaiaucius) department borders until plague and German colonization (20th c. beginning). The map is nicely decorated with the coats of arms of Lithuania Minor towns.
Algirdas Matulevičius (born in 1939 January 9 in Giedraiciai) is Lithuania's historian, ecyclopedist, researcher of Lithuania Minor history as well as Lithuanian national press renaissance.
Jūratė Bučmytė and Albertas Krajinskas 1995 created a typical trade map of the Northen part of Lithuania Minor (Fig. 45).
In Fig. 47 Konigsberg in historical views and plans: With a foreword by Marion Dönhoff of the Berlin State Library, and Barbara Schneider-Kempf of Koehler and Amelang (Hardcover -July 19, 2007).

Conclusions
An encouraging factor to prepare this publication was the respect towards the history of Lithuania Minor and its cultural heritage, bearing a special historical value and also the hope that this everlasting Baltic land will never be forgotten. The history and the presence of Lithuania are inseparable parts. The separated culture of Lithuania Minor had a great impact on the development of the nation of Lithuania, so Lithuania does feel the moral obligation to actively take part in developing the future of Lithuania Minor.
The researchers of old cartoraphy in many foreign countries stick to the belief that the history of their countries can hardly be viewed without the assessment of the information found in the old maps and used. This very true attitude can be fully applied in history of Lithuania Minor and Prussia. Prussia's and Lithuania Minor place in European history has been subject to widely differing interpretations. So far historians, cartographers and linguists of Lithuania Minor have been approaching the country from different aspects, especially if Lithuanians, Germans and the Polish came together. There will never be the same attitude but the research of old maps opens additional and valuable sources of information, helping depolarize divergent views and opposing assessments. The maps of these countries and their analysis can give more light on the historical development of "lietu-   (Gliožaitis 2008) vininkai" nation, determine the historical-geographical spatial awareness of this region, and describe the subsequence of historical destiny of Lithuania Minor and its addition to Lithuanian nation. Old maps, picturing Lithuania Minor, with an exception of very few, have not been thoroughly assessed and studied yet. The history of Lithuania will never be complete without thorough assessment of information found in old maps of Lithuania Minor.
It is quite difficult to differentiate ethnic lands in Lithuanian and Prussian maps, especially in early historical periods. This publication presents over 80 maps of Lithuania Minor, Prussia, East Prussia and neighboring countries, where Lithuania Minor was treated as a neighboring land. We found it interesting to show Lithuania Minor in existing linguistic maps, and also in settlements, inhabited by lietuvininkai. We hope that the publication will encourage researchers to study the history of Lithuania Minor using maps in more depth. This is what the authors of the publication or other mentioned authors have done. Our article provides links that are helpful for the readers interested in more detailed studies of specific maps.
The attempts to mark Lithuania Minor or Prussian Lithuania territory were noticed in the maps of the 18th c. They had different names, like: Small Li-thuania, Lithuania Minor, Prussian Lithuania, Little Lithuania, Land Litauen, Lithuavie Prussiene, Lithuania Borussica, Litthauischer CREIS, Lithvania, Lithuania and other. The administrative terms "Lithuanian province" (Provinz Litthauen), "Lithuanian districts" (Littauischen Ämtern), "Lithuanian county" (Littauische Kreis) or simply "Prussian Lithuania" (Preuszisch Litauen), "Lithuania" (Litauen) were used to refer to the Lithuanian inhabited administrative units (Nadruvia and Scalovia) in the legal documentation of Prussian state since 1618. The Lithuanian Province was named Klein Litau, Klein Litauen, Preussisch Litthauen, Little Lithuania, Lithvania in the maps of Prussia since 1738. The official use of the concept Prussian Lithuania decreased considerably after administrative reform of 1815-18. In German maps of 18 th -19 th c. Prussia was called in such ways: Karte von ostpreussen und Litthauen, Carte Litthauen Ost und West preussen and so on. Such Prussian names were noticed by other authors, researching Prussian maps (Jeger 1982;Matulevičius 1989;Gliožaitis 2008).
Following the maps it is not complicated to trace back the periods of renaming the place-names of Lithuania Minor: antinational (1920Minor: antinational ( -1934Minor: antinational ( ), national (1935Minor: antinational ( -1944 and soviet (1955-199?). However, the dominating ones are brought from Russia complete-ly exchanged the original Lithuanian ones. The issue was widely analysed by V. Pėteraitis and J. Zinkevičius (Zinkevičius 1995;Pėteraitis 1976). Lithuania Minor place-names and hydronyms having existed for centuries are valuable cultural heritage worldwise. Taking this into account Russia should initiate and start the restoration of toponyms in Karaliaucius region.
The maps of these countries and their analysis urge the contemporary historians to try and give more light on the historical development of Lithuanian nation. The opponents of historians sometimes cannot avoid hot disputes for a good reason: the latter ones are unable to answer the questions, because the problem is really complex and a number of historians limited.