Lithuania? But which? The changing political attitude of the Jewish political elite in East Central Europe toward Emerging Lithuania, 1915-1919

During the First World War and in the first post-war years, there were various opinions about Lithuanian statehood. Jews also had a specific attitude on this issue. This text explores the changes of the attitude of the Jewish political elite towards the restoration of the state of Lithuania in 1915–1919: its borders, its relations with the neighbouring countries, the place of national communities within it (primarily Jewish). It can be stated that Jewish political elite regarded the Jews as an integral part of society, which must be given an opportunity to express their views on the future state. In 1915–1918 the idea of forming national autonomy within the federal and democratic Russian state was popular among the Jews. Another political perspective was also advocated - Lithuanian state with a large territory, which would unite all litvaks and would not be based on the dominance of any nation. There was also an aim to make Jews equal to other national communities in all social areas. It was expected in this way to ensure fair distribution of state resources to the entire population and opportunities of social mobility for Jews. The creation of a national state of Lithuania independent of Russia, based on the dominance of Lithuanian nation was seen as an intimidating prospect by Jews at first. However, in the end of 1917 - 1918 due to the international situation, the Jewish political elite abandoned federalist plans. Jews saw an aspiration to create ethnically egalitarian state of Lithuania in the activity of the Council of Lithuania, therefore began to support the idea of Lithuanian independence.