Kaunas at the presence of the War between the Polish - Lithuanian commonwealth and the Russian empire

On the 22nd of May, 1792, the Russian army which had to support the opposition of the reforms and the Constitution of May 3rd, crossed the border of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (further on the GDL). At that time, the army of the GDL and Poland was at the early stage of formation and was not ready for a war with the experienced Russian army. With the retreat of the GDL army, Vilnius and Kaunas were left without defence. Kaunas was occupied on the 22nd of June. The article focuses on the behaviour and attitude of Kaunas citizens towards the coming threat. Specifically, attention is given to the period of time which lasted from May 22nd to June 20th. Kaunas citizens supported the army from the first days and were among the most active pursuers of the orders of the central government in the state. On May 25th, the magistrate of Kaunas invited all towns of Kaunas region to gather and collect donations for the army. On May 29th, Kaunas nobility announced that they will defend the Constitution of May 3rd and started to bring donations. On May 30th, to ensure effective action under the conditions of war, the Civil Military Committee of Kaunas nobility joined the magistrate and formed a new institution of police. Such establishment of the joined institution of the nobility and citizens was first in the history of the Polish- Lithuanian Commonwealth. The event received a particular attention from the central government and press, which invited other districts (pavietai) and towns to follow the example of Kaunas. However, after the first week of the war, it became evident that the GDL army will not be able to protect Kaunas. Tension and fear of the approaching Russian army grew in the city; the citizens took precautions against and prepared for the occupation. [...]Istorijos katedraVytauto Didžiojo universiteta