Positive evaluation of the USSR-Lithuanian relations in Zenonas Ivinskis’ works

The author of the article aims to discuss Zenonas Ivinskis’ evaluation of the political relationships between the Republic of Lithuania and the former USSR and the historian’s stance on this issue. Therefore, pre-war and post–war works of this famous Lithuanian historian were taken into consideration. In the mid of 1930ies, Z. Ivinskis presented himself as both history theoretician and historiosopher. His predominant interests were the ancient period of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, its trade relations with Prussia, medieval Lithuanian culture. Nevertheless, the twentieth century was also the object of his continuous research attention, particularly in exile. Z. Ivinskis’ works on the 20th century Lithuanian history have not yet received adequate attention and evaluation on the part of the present-day historiography researchers. Unlike O. Spengler and L. Karsavin, Z. Ivinskis did not consider Russia to be a distinct world. Following A. Toynbee’s viewpoint, he tried to define regularities in Russia’s relationship with its Western neighbours. Z. Ivinskis’ observations concerning the foreign policy of the Russian Empire and the then USSR as well as perspectives of other 20th century totalitarian regimes are of great importance, especially rethinking possible historical parallels with the present-day politics; for example, relations of the post-Soviet Russia with the Baltic states. Therefore, Z. Ivinskis’ works are of relevance for the heritage of the interwar historiography as well as give food for thought about Lithuania’s 20th century historyVytauto Didžiojo universitetasČeslovo Milošo centra