Lithuanian-Polish relations in 1918-1939 in the most up-to-date Lithuanian historiography

Lietuvos ir Lenkijos santykių 1918-1939 metais istoriografijos problematikoje Lietuvos istorikai jau drąsiau aptaria lietuviams skausmingus klausimus, tarp jų ir Vilniaus klausimą. Pastebėta, kad kritinės istorijos metodas vis labiau įsitvirtina tyrinėtojų darbuose. Straipsnyje paliesta tik keletas ryškesnių problemų ir su jomis susietų klausimų: 1927 m. A. Voldemaro ir J. Pilsudskio santykiai Ženevoje, S. Lozoraičio „naujo kurso“ politika 1934-1938 metais bei Lietuvos ir Lenkijos valstybių žlugimo 1939-1940 metais priežastys. Bandoma aptarti ir atkreipti dėmesį į Lietuvos istorikų išsakytas pozicijas, kurios gali ateityje tapti priežastimi naujiems tyrinėjimams.Article dedicated to the discussion of the issues of historiography of the Lithuanian-Polish relations in 1918-1939 limits with several more distinct problems: the relations of A. Voldemaras and J. Pilsudski in Geneva in 1927, S. Lozoraitis’ “new course” policy in 1934-1938 and the causes of the collapse of Lithuania and Poland in 1939-1940. These and other issues are discussed by Lithuanian historians in their research studies published in the period of 1990-2008. Free of any ideological preconceptions and detached from national belonging, Lithuanian historians are already more confident in discussing the touchy issues of the past and attempt to approach the events of that time from an unbiased viewpoint. The method of critical history used in the study is getting increasingly more popular in research works. Lithuanian historians do not only point out the development of rigorous policy on the part of the Polish government but also the negative impact of the policy of non-reconciliation chosen by the Lithuanian government on the existence of the state and unstable international situation in Eastern Europe. The promotion of anti-Polish moods in the Lithuanian society prevented the government from any degree of rationality in the relations with Poland on any side until the outbreak of World War II. The new studies of Polish and Lithuanian historians will ease the understanding of the problems arising in the past, enable to point out the mistakes made by Lithuanian and Polish governments at that time, to make more objective evaluations of certain circumstances and perhaps even learn in strengthening contemporary and future Lithuanian-Polish relations