Lithuania was reoccupied by the Soviet Union in 1944. and has been considered a component republic by the Soviets ever since. The United States has never recognized the incorporation of Lithuania. nor any of the other Baltic States. The Stalin years brought dramatic changes in the composition of Lithuanias population. Approximately 80.000 Lithuanians fled to West Germany after Soviet occupation in 1944. An additional 60.000 were deported from East Germany during 1945 and 1946. After Stalins death. about onethird of these displaced people were allowed to return to their homeland. Yet. this cannot erase past cruelties committed by the U S.S.R.. nor the continuing effort to destroy Lithuanian national spirit.
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deported