But Lithuanias period of progress was unfortunately brief. for the Second World War brought national tragedy to the Lithuanian people. In spite of the fact that they had pledged in a 1920 peace treaty to renounce forever all rights of sovereignty over Lithuania. the Soviets occupied Lithuania in June of 1940 and had incorporated Lithuania in the U.S.S.R. by autumn. Thus democracy and freedom were brutally ended. and Lithuania was tragically enslaved. Thousands of citizens were deported. and many others were tyrannized and threatened. Individual liberties and national independence were crushed. One thing was not destroyed: the desire of the Lithuanians to regain liberty and democracy and their steadfast faith that one day they would again be free.
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deported