The fact that Lithuania was ever under Russian sovereignty does not place the Lithuanian people and their territory under any obligation to Russia. Lithuania was admitted to the League of Nations on September 22. 1921. During the next two decades Lithuania enjoyed a period of independence and national resurgence. With the outbreak of the Second World War. Lithuania became one of the first countries to experience the brutal aggression of both Hitler and Stalin. Soviet occupation began in 1940. and Lithuania was forcibly annexed into the U.S.S.R. It is estimated that duling this occupation. 45.000 Lithuanians lost their lives. Some 30.000 members of the Lithuanian intelligentsia were deported to Siberia. Hastily retreating under German attack. Soviet forces executed 5.000 political prisoners.
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