Background Żeligowski's Mutiny

general lucjan Żeligowski

in late 1920, polish-soviet war ending soviets defeated @ battle of warsaw , in full retreat. disputed vilnius region centered on lithuanian capital of vilnius (polish wilno), had been founded lithuanian grand duke gediminas in 1323 , had been lithuanian capital ever since. vilnius had been retaken soviets during summer 1920 offensive. soviets returned region lithuanians because latter had allowed soviet troops move through lithuanian territory , engaged polish forces in disputed territories (see soviet-lithuanian treaty of 1920, , polish-lithuanian war).

this move allowed soviets retain tactical control of region, deny poles, , increase high tensions between poles , lithuanians, both of whom claimed disputed territory own.

in october 1920, under international pressure spa , suwałki conferences, poles , lithuanians signed ceasefire in sudova region, but, issue of vilnius remaining under lithuanian control, issue unresolved. poles rested claim on current ethnographic considerations. lithuania pointed vilnius historical capital , denied polish claims baseless. poles did not wish continue war polish army tired, , polish chief of state józef piłsudski still hoping create międzymorze federation, include lithuania friendly poland, wanted ensure vilnius part of polish sphere of influence. lithuanian point of view, highly unlikely, many lithuanians saw polish influence pernicious , had wanted rid of polish influence far marriage of grand duke jogaila 11-year-old queen jadwiga of poland in 1386. in particular, lithuanian nationalists opposed further connection poland, after polish invasion occupied vilnius.

the negotiations on future of disputed area, held under auspice of conference of ambassadors in brussels , paris, reached stalemate, , piłsudski feared entente might accept fait accompli had been created soviets transfer of territorial control lithuania.

poland , lithuania adhere mutually agreed upon ceasefire in suwałki region on october 10, poles decided circumvent ceasefire creating fait accompli of own. piłsudski concluded best course of action 1 supported pro-polish faction in lithuania, not traced directly poland. however, plans coup d état in 1919 had been foiled premature , unplanned sejny uprising, had led destruction of polish military organization (p.o.w.) intelligence network in lithuania lithuanian army , state security department.