A policy of forced assimilation and russification of this proud people began. Some 80.000 Lithuanians fled to West Germany when the Soviets took over the Baltic region in 1944. An additional 60.000 were found in East Germany and deported during 1945 and 1946. Their passive resistance to the collectivization of agriculture brought the deportation of some 60.000 Lithuanians in 1949. The death of Stalin eased the harassment of these displaced people. and about onethird of those who had been deported were permitted to return to their homeland. Yet. this cannot erase past cruelties committed by the U.S.S.R.. nor the continuing effort by the Soviets to destroy the Lithuanian national spirit. Despite all the hardships suffered. the strength and dignity of the Lithuanian people have survived.
Keywords matched
deported deportation