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The '''Vilna Soviet of Workers Deputies''' ({{lang-lt|Vilniaus darbininkų atstovų tarybą}}, abbreviated '''VDAT''', {{lang-ru|Вильнюсский Совет рабочих депутатов}}) was a [[soviet (council)]] in the city of [[Vilna]]. Following end of the [[First World War]] on November 11, 1918, a political vacuum emerged in Vilna, as the German [[Ober Ost]] project crumbled.<ref name="Balkelis2018"/> The Vilna Soviet would become of the political forces seeking to govern the city, competing with the Lithuanian ''[[Taryba]]'' and the Polish ''[[Self-Defence of Lithuania and Belarus (1918)|Samoobrona]]''.<ref name="Balkelis2018"/> The Vilna Soviet was formed by elected representatives, elections began to be held in early December 1918 - before the withdrawal of German troops.<ref name="LiekisPolonskyFreeze2022">{{cite book | author1 = Sarunas Liekis | author2 = Antony Polonsky | author3 = ChaeRan Freeze | date = 23 August 2022 | title = Polin: Studies in Polish Jewry Volume 25: Jews in the Former Grand Duchy of Lithuania Since 1772 | publisher = Liverpool University Press | pages = 266-267 | isbn = 978-1-83764-899-3 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=z0OEEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA267}}</ref><ref>Antanas Sniečkus. ''[https://books.google.at/books?id=FATVAAAAMAAJ Soviet Lithuania on the Road of Prosperity]''. Progress Publishers, 1974. p. 17</ref>
The '''Vilna Soviet of Workers Deputies''' ({{lang-lt|Vilniaus darbininkų atstovų taryba}}, abbreviated '''VDAT''', {{lang-ru|Вильнюсский Совет рабочих депутатов}}) was a [[soviet (council)]] in the city of [[Vilna]] (Vilnius). Following end of the [[First World War]] on November 11, 1918, a political vacuum emerged in Vilna, as the German [[Ober Ost]] project crumbled.{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|p=3}} The pro-communist Vilna Soviet became one of the political forces seeking to govern the city competing with the Lithuanian ''[[Taryba]]'' and the Polish ''[[Self-Defence of Lithuania and Belarus (1918)|Samoobrona]]''.{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|p=3}} A total of 202 deputies were elected to the soviet in December 1918. Whilst the communists formed the largest faction, the Vilna Soviet was politically diverse. Bundists and communists clashed at the first meeting of the soviet.{{sfn|Jacobs|2022|p=267}} The soviet also did not welcome the [[Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (1918–19)|Provisional Revolutionary Workers and Peasants Government of Lithuania]] headed by [[Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas]]. As such, new elections were organized after Vilna was captured by the [[Red Army]] on January 5, 1919 during the [[Soviet westward offensive of 1918–1919]]. By allowing soldiers to vote, the [[Bolsheviks]] ensured their control of the soviet.{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|p=86}}


==December 1918 elections==
==December 1918: elections==
By late November 1918, upon the initiative of the Communist Party preparations in the Vilna labour movement for the formation of a soviet began. A Special Commission was set-up to organize elections to the Soviet. The Commission included representatives of the [[Communist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia]], [[Lithuanian Social Democratic Party]], [[Social Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania and Belorussia (internationalists)]] (Menshevik-Internationalists), [[General Jewish Labour Bund]], {{ill|Revolutionary Socialist People's Party of Lithuania|lt|Lietuvos revoliucinių socialistų liaudininkų partija}} (Left Socialist-Revolutionaries), [[Jewish Social Democratic Labour Party (Poalei Zion)]] and other Jewish socialist groups. The Commission circulated the provisional statutes for the Vilna Soviet in the press, outlining its goal to "unite and organize the masses of workers to strengthen, defend and deepen the achievements of the revolution." The provisional statutes outlined that the "[t]he right of representation in the Council is exercised by class-oriented trade unions and socialist parties." Furthermore the provisional statutes gave the Vilna Soviet the function as the central governing authority in Lithuania until a All-Lithuanian Congress of Soviets could be held.<ref name=metais4/>
By late November 1918, communists began preparations for the elections to a workers' soviet. A special commission was set-up to organize elections to the Vilna Soviet. The commission included representatives of the [[Communist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia]], [[Lithuanian Social Democratic Party]], [[Social Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania and Belorussia (internationalists)]] (Menshevik-Internationalists), [[General Jewish Labour Bund]], {{ill|Revolutionary Socialist People's Party of Lithuania|lt|Lietuvos revoliucinių socialistų liaudininkų partija}} (Left Socialist-Revolutionaries), [[Jewish Social Democratic Labour Party (Poalei Zion)]] and other Jewish socialist groups. The commission circulated the provisional statutes for the Vilna Soviet in the press which gave the Vilna Soviet the function as the central governing authority in Lithuania until an All-Lithuanian Congress of Soviets could be held.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=374}}


The elections took place amid tensions between the workers and the German authorities and factory owners.<ref name=metais4/> The German authorities clamped down on communist meetings and rallies.<ref name=metais4/> Among Polish workers there was an active campaign against the soviet election, spearheaded by the newspaper ''{{ill|Dziennik Wileński|lt}}''.<ref name=metais4/> Nevertheless, the electoral campaign continued. At the large mechanical factory of Count Tiškevičius, a gathering was organized by the communist, which elected two delegates to the Vilna Soviet (both communists).<ref name=metais4/> The railway workers union organized a mass meeting, which elected forty delegates (communists and allies) to the Vilna Soviet.<ref name=metais4/> Among the delegates of the railway workers was [[Zigmas Angarietis]].<ref name=metais4/>
Only members of the trade unions were allowed to vote in the elections.{{sfn|Jacobs|2022|p=266}} The elections took place amid tensions between the workers, the German authorities, and factory owners.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|pp=374–375}} The elections began to be held in early December 1918 – before the withdrawal of the German troops.{{sfn|Jacobs|2022|p=266}} Among Polish workers there was an active campaign against the soviet election, spearheaded by the newspaper ''{{ill|Dziennik Wileński|lt}}''.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=375}} Nevertheless, the electoral campaign continued. For example, the railway workers union organized a mass meeting, which elected forty delegates (communists and allies) to the Vilna Soviet. Among these delegates was [[Zigmas Angarietis]].{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=375}}


All in all, 202 deputies to the Vilna Soviet were elected.<ref name="Adomonis1986">{{cite book|author=Tadas Adomonis|title=Lithuania: An Encyclopedic Survey|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=guFoAAAAMAAJ|year=1986|publisher=Encyclopedia Publishers|page=152}}</ref> Out of the elected deputies, 96 deputies belonged to the Communist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia, 60 from the General Jewish Labour Bund, 22 from the Social Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania and Belorussia (internationalists), 15 from the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party and 9 from other groups (Jewish Social Democratic Labour Party (Poalei Zion), [[United Jewish Socialist Workers Party]], Revolutionary Socialist People's Party of Lithuania).<ref name=metais4/><ref name="Balkelis2018"/><ref name="LiekisPolonskyFreeze2022"/>
All in all, 202 deputies to the Vilna Soviet were elected.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=375}}{{sfn|Zinkus|1986|p=152}} Out of the elected deputies, 96 deputies were from the Communist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia, 60 from the General Jewish Labour Bund,{{sfn|Jacobs|2022|p=267}} 22 from the Social Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania and Belorussia (internationalists), 15 from the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, and 9 from other groups (Jewish Social Democratic Labour Party (Poalei Zion), [[United Jewish Socialist Workers Party]], Revolutionary Socialist People's Party of Lithuania).{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=447}}


==Proceedings==
==December 15, 1918 - First Session==
===December 15, 1918: first session===
On December 15, 1918 the Vilna Soviet held its inaugural session at the Vilna city hall (the present-day building of the [[Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society]]), decorated with red flags and banners with revolutionary slogans.<ref name=metais4/><ref>Juozas Bulavas. ''[https://books.google.at/books?id=d3HUAAAAMAAJ Rinkimai ir "tautos atstovavimas" buržuazinėje Lietuvoje]''. Valstybinė politines ir mokslinės literatūros leidykla, 1956. p. 12</ref> The session was opened with a speech by veteran labour leader {{ill|Andrius Domaševičius|lt}}.<ref name=metais4>Bronius Vaitkevičius. ''[https://books.google.at/books?id=aIO0AAAAIAAJ Socialistinė revoliucija Lietuvoje 1918-1919 metais]''. Mintis, 1967. pp. 374-375, 388-390, 402, 404-407, 409-410, 447-448, 467</ref> The meeting declared the Vilna Soviet as the sole governing authority of the city.<ref name="Balkelis2018"/><ref>Antanas Papšys. ''[https://books.google.at/books?id=HQZpAAAAMAAJ Vilnius: A Guide]''. Progress Publishers, 1981. p. 45</ref> The gathering declared the end of censorship, banned food exports out of the city and issued controls on food prices.<ref name="Balkelis2018"/> The Vilna Soviet sent its greetings, proposed by the Communist Party faction, to the [[All-Russian Central Executive Committee]], the [[Council of People's Commissars of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic]], the [[Red Army]] and the 'fighting proletariat in the occupied lands'<ref name=metais4/>
On December 15, 1918, the Vilna Soviet held its inaugural session at the Vilna city hall (the present-day building of the [[Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society]]),{{sfn|Bulavas|1956|p=12}} decorated with red flags and banners with revolutionary slogans.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=388}} The session was opened with a speech by a veteran labour leader {{ill|Andrius Domaševičius|lt}}.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=388}}


The December 15, 1918 session elected a nine-member Presidium of the Vilna Soviet consisting of five communists, three Bundists and one Menshevik-Internationalist. The Communist Party was represented in the Presidium by {{ill|Pranas Eidukevičius|lt}} (chairman), J. Vileiskis (deputy chairman), {{ill|Iulius Shimeliovich|ru|Шимелиович, Юлий Абрамович}} (secretary, a former Bundist turned communist), [[Zigmas Angarietis]] and E. Senkevičius.<ref name="Vaitkevičius1988"/><ref>''[https://books.google.at/books?id=Gb9MAQAAIAAJ Immigrants & minorities, Volume 1]'', 1982. p. 82</ref><ref name="Sukiennicki1984">{{cite book | author = Wiktor Sukiennicki | date = 1984 | title = East Central Europe During World War I: From Foreign Domination to National Independence | publisher = East European Monographs | pages =1083, 1173 | isbn = 978-0-88033-012-1 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=aFdpAAAAMAAJ}}</ref><ref name="Sloin2017">{{cite book | author = Andrew Sloin | date = 13 February 2017 | title = The Jewish Revolution in Belorussia: Economy, Race, and Bolshevik Power | publisher = Indiana University Press | pages = 84 | isbn = 978-0-253-02463-3 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nzrqDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA84}}</ref> The three Bundists were Yankef Vaynshteyn (deputy chairman), Nisn Pups (secretary) and L. Novopoliantas, whilst the sole Menshevik-Internationalist was E. Sokofovskis (deputy chairman).<ref name="Vaitkevičius1988">{{cite book | author = Bronius Vaitkevičius | date = 1988 | title = Pirmoji darbininkų ir valstiečių valdžia Lietuvoje: monografija skiriama LKP įkūrimo ir Tarybų valdžios paskelbimo Lietuvoje 70-mečiui | publisher = Mokslas | pages = 107| language = lt | isbn = 9785420000359 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3xcKAQAAIAAJ}}</ref><ref name="LiekisPolonskyFreeze2022"/>
The soviet elected a nine-member presidium of the Vilna Soviet consisting of five communists, three Bundists and one Menshevik-Internationalist. The Communist Party was represented in the Presidium by {{ill|Pranas Eidukevičius|lt}} (chairman), Andriejus Novikovas also known as J. Vileiskis{{sfn|Kapsukas|1958|pp=216–217}} (deputy chairman), {{ill|Iulius Shimeliovich|ru|Шимелиович, Юлий Абрамович}}{{sfn|Sloin|2017|p=84}} (secretary, a former Bundist turned communist), [[Zigmas Angarietis]], and E. Senkevičius.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=389}} The three Bundists were Yankef Vaynshteyn (deputy chairman), Nisn Pups (secretary),{{sfn|Jacobs|2022|p=267}} and L. Novopoliantas, whilst the sole Menshevik-Internationalist was {{ill|Edvardas Sokolovskis|lt}} (deputy chairman).{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=389}}{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1988|p=107}}


The meeting declared the Vilna Soviet as the sole governing authority of the city.{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|p=85}}{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=390}}{{sfn|Papšys|1981|p=45}} The gathering declared the end of censorship, banned food exports out of the city, and issued controls on food prices.{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|p=85}}
Whilst the communists formed the largest faction, the Vilna Soviet was political heterogenous. Bundists and Communists clashed at first meeting of the Soviet<ref name="LiekisPolonskyFreeze2022"/> At the meeting [[Boris Kamkov]], the ideologue of Lithuanian Left Socialist-Revolutionaries, stated that the "Lithuanian working people do not have to follow the path followed by the Russian communists, who caused so much damage to the course of the revolution"<ref name=metais4/>


⚫
In late 1918, on the suggestion of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia, three communists were named as commissars of the Vilna Soviet – {{ill|Bonifacas Verbickas|lt}} (Commissar for City Economy), K. Rimša (Commissar for Prisons) and J. Vileiskis (Commissar for Railways).{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=402}} The soviet attempted to organize militia to control the railway traffic, including German military trains.{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|p=86}} This resulted in arrests of 30 deputies of the soviet.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=403}}
⚫
==December 22, 1918 - Second Session==
⚫
On December 22, 1918, the second session of the Vilna Soviet was held. The Menshevik-Internationalists fielded a motion which was backed by the other non-communist groups, that refused to cede power to the [[Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (1918–19)|Provisional Revolutionary Workers and Peasants Government of Lithuania]] and instead called for the holding of a Lithuanian congress of Soviets, and that the Executive Committee of the Vilna Soviet would function as the governing authority in Lithuania until such an event could be held.<ref name=metais4/> The Vilna Soviet majority described the Provisional Revolutionary Government as an imposition by 'Bolshevik commissars in Moscow'.<ref name="Balkelis2018">{{cite book | author = Tomas Balkelis | date = 2018 | title = War, Revolution, and Nation-making in Lithuania, 1914-1923 | publisher = Oxford University Press | pages = 3, 68-69, 85-86 | isbn = 978-0-19-966802-1 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=LZRODwAAQBAJ&pg=PA86}}</ref> The communist faction rejected the motion, and refused to take part in the vote.<ref name=metais4/>


⚫
===December 22, 1918: second session===
Eidukevičius fielded a motion to demand release of political prisoners, including 30 elected deputies of the Vilna Soviet, which was approved by the December 22, 1918 session. The German authorities refused to comply. Thus on December 24, 1918 a general strike was called. Electricity and water systems were shut down. In the evening the German authorities allowed the Vilna Soviet to send a commission to visit the [[Lukiškės Prison]] were 200 prisoners were identified as political prisoners. Some prisoners, including railway workers elected to the Vilna Soviet, were released. But as the release of all political prisoners was delayed and strike actions resumed. By the evening of December 25, 1918 German authorities caved in and released the remaining political prisoners. The German authorities handed over the managed of the prison to the Vilna Soviet.<ref name=metais4/>
⚫
On December 22, 1918, the second session of the Vilna Soviet was held. Non-communist groups proposed a motion which refused to cede power to the newly proclaimed [[Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (1918–19)|Provisional Revolutionary Workers and Peasants Government of Lithuania]] headed by [[Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas]].{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=404}} Instead, the governing power should belong to a Lithuanian congress of Soviets, and that the Executive Committee of the Vilna Soviet would govern until such congress could be called.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=404}} The Vilna Soviet majority described the Provisional Revolutionary Government as an imposition by "Bolshevik commissars in Moscow".{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|p=86}} The communist faction rejected the motion, and refused to take part in the vote.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=404}}


Vilna Soviet adopted a resolution on political prisoners held at [[Lukiškės Prison]]: if the prisoners (including 30 deputies of the soviet) were not freed by December 23, 1918, workers would begin a political strike.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|pp=404–405}} Since German authorities refused to comply, a general strike began on December 24, 1918.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=405}} Electricity systems were shut down.{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|p=86}} By the evening of December 25, 1918, German authorities released the political prisoners and handed over the management of the prison to the Vilna Soviet.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=407}}
⚫
In late 1918, on the suggestion of the Communist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia Central Committee, three communists were named as commissars of the Vilna Soviet - {{ill|Bonifacas Verbickas|lt}} (Commissar for City Economy), K. Rimša (Commissar for Prisons) and J. Vileiskis (Commissar for Railways).<ref name=metais4/>


Preparing for an armed confrontation with the Polish legionnaires, the Vilna Soviet would proceed to building a workers militia.<ref name=metais4/><ref name="Balkelis2018"/> Doctors {{ill|Stasys Matulaitis|lt}} and A. Domaševičius began organizing a paramedical unit.<ref name=metais4/>
Preparing for an armed confrontation with the Polish legionnaires, the Vilna Soviet proceeded to organize a workers militia.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=402}}{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|pp=85–86}} Doctors {{ill|Stasys Matulaitis|lt}} and {{ill|Andrius Domaševičius|lt}} began organizing a paramedical unit.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=402}}


==December 27, 1918 - Third Session==
===December 27, 1918: third session===
The third session of the Vilna Soviet was held on December 27, 1918. Around this time German army was handing over resources (supplies, food, funds, etc) to the bourgeois Vilna City Duma. In the Vilna Soviet session, the Communist Party faction presented a motion calling for confrontation with the bourgeoisie, demanding the transfer of all institutions, resources and government employees to the Vilna Soviet, threating non-compliant public employees with dismissal and prosecution under Soviet rule and called for looters of food stuffs to be court-martialed. The Bund rejected the communist motion, arguing that the struggle be directed solely against the German occupation forces, not the local bourgeoisie. The Bundists argued that the communist line would bring civil war. The communist motion was passed with 110 votes in favour, 25 votes against.<ref name=metais4/>
The third session of the Vilna Soviet was held on December 27, 1918. Around this time, German army was handing over resources (supplies, food, funds, etc.) to the [[bourgeois]] Vilna City Duma.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=408}} The Communist Party presented a motion calling for a confrontation with the bourgeoisie, demanding the transfer of all institutions, resources, and government employees to the Vilna Soviet, and for looters of food stuffs to be court-martialed. The Bund rejected the communist motion, arguing that the struggle should be directed solely against the German occupation forces, not the local bourgeoisie. The Bundists argued that the communist line would bring a civil war. The communist motion was passed with 110 votes in favour.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=408}}


==January 1-2, 1919 siege==
==January 1–2, 1919: shoot-out with Polish ''Samoobrona'' ==
On December 31, 1918 German troops began to retreat from Vilna.<ref name=metais4/> On January 1, 1919 Polish ''Samoobrona'' legionnaires laid seige to the Vilna Soviet, which had barricaded at the Workers Club building on 5, Varnu Street (later 9, Komunaru Street, present-day A. Jakšto Street).<ref name="Sloin2017"/><ref name="Balkelis2018"/><ref name=metais4/><ref>[https://books.google.at/books?id=ADFDAAAAIAAJ Ветры революции: Сборник воспоминаний о пролетарской революции 1918-1919 гг. в. Литве]. Partijos istorijos institutas. Минтис, 1968. p. 44</ref> Inside the building were the Vilna Soviet deputies and some fifty members of the worker militia.<ref name=metais4/> Around 11 pm the leader of the Polish forces, general [[Władysław Wejtko]], issued an ultimatum to the Vilna Soviet - to surrender or he would proceed to 'destroy the building and drown everyone in blood'.<ref name=metais4/> The Vilna Soviet refused to surrender.<ref name=metais4/>
As German troops retreated from Vilna, Polish ''Samoobrona'' attempted to establish its control over the city.{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|p=68}} On January 1, 1919, ''Samoobrona'' surrounded to the Vilna Soviet, which had barricaded at the Workers' Club building at 5 Wrona (Varnių) Street (later 9 Komunarai Street, present-day A. Jakštas Street).{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|p=68}}{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=409}} Inside the building were the Vilna Soviet deputies and some fifty members of the workers' militia.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=409}} Around 11 pm the leader of the Polish forces, general [[Władysław Wejtko]], issued an ultimatum to surrender which the soviet refused.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|pp=409–410}}


The battle lasted for over twelve hours.<ref name="Senn1975">{{cite book | author = Alfred Erich Senn | date = 1975 | title = The Emergence of Modern Lithuania | publisher = Greenwood Press | pages = 71| isbn = 978-0-8371-7780-9 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=r_cNAQAAMAAJ}}</ref> A militia unit had been sent to {{ill|Kirtimai|de}} to gather firearms, but was unable to return to the city<ref name=metais4/> A group of German soldiers aided the Vilna Soviet combatting the Polish forces.<ref name=metais4/> Bundists in the besieged building sought to surrender and raised a [[white flag]], which was cut down by the communists.<ref name=metais4/> With the Workers Club being lost, eight men managed to escape over the roof to the house at 11, Varnu Street. From this house, where B. Verbickas' family lived, the communists continued the gun fight.<ref name=metais4/><ref name=broga>L. Broga. ''[https://books.google.at/books?id=yhX0AAAAMAAJ Lietuvos TSR turistinis z̆emėlapis]''. Valstybinė politinės ir mȯkslinės literatùros leidykla, 1963. p. 42</ref> Cornered in the basement of the building, rather than surrendering using Shimeliovich (Raisenas), Leonas Caplinskis, {{ill|Antanas Liaudanskas|lt}}, Jankelis Sapira (Asas) and B. Verbickas used their last remaining bullets to commit suicide.<ref name=metais4/><ref name=broga>L. Broga. ''[https://books.google.at/books?id=yhX0AAAAMAAJ Lietuvos TSR turistinis z̆emėlapis]''. Valstybinė politinės ir mȯkslinės literatùros leidykla, 1963. p. 42</ref><ref name="Sloin2017"/><ref name="Balkelis2018"/><ref>''[https://books.google.at/books?id=TPjNAAAAMAAJ Tarybų Lietuvos enciklopedija: Grūdas-Marvelės]''. Vyriausioji enciklopedijų redakcija, 1986. p. 362</ref> [[Roman Pilar]] managed to survive.<ref name=metais4/> E. Senkevičius and J. Vileiskis managed to escape.<ref name=metais4/>
The shoot-out lasted for over twelve hours.{{sfn|Senn|1975|p=71}} A militia unit had been sent to {{ill|Kirtimai|de}} to gather firearms, but was unable to return to the city.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=409}} Cornered in the basement of the building, rather than surrendering {{ill|Iulius Shimeliovich|ru|Шимелиович, Юлий Абрамович}} (Raisenas), Leonas Čaplinskas, {{ill|Antanas Liaudanskas|lt}}, Jankelis Šapira (Asas), and {{ill|Bonifacas Verbickas|lt}} used their last remaining bullets to commit suicide.{{sfn|Sloin|2017|p=84}}{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=410}}{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|p=69}}{{sfn|Broga|Danilevičius|1963|p=42}}{{sfn|MELC|2019}} [[Roman Pilar]] attempted to shoot himself, but survived.{{sfn|Saldžiūnas|2017}}


After the bloody shoot-out, the Polish legionnaires captured dozens of Vilna Soviet organizers and seized some 1,000 weapons that the revolutionaires had obtained from retreating German troops.<ref name="Balkelis2018"/> On January 9, 1919, after the Red Army capture of Vilna, a ceremonial burial for the deceased Vilna Soviet leaders was organized at [[Cathedral Square, Vilnius|Cathedral Square]].<ref>15min. ''[https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/istorija/kaip-vilnieciai-bolsevikus-sutiko-vilnius-1919-metu-pradzioje-582-1670096 Kaip vilniečiai bolševikus sutiko: Vilnius 1919 metų pradžioje]''</ref> Varnu Street would be renamed Komunaru Street in memory of the five Vilna Soviet leaders.<ref name="Вилейкис1988">{{cite book | author = Альгирдас Вилейкис | date = 1988 | title = Вильнюс - столица советской Литвы | publisher = Mintis | pages = 28 | language = ru | isbn = 9785417000409 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=xwMMAQAAIAAJ}}</ref>
After the shoot-out, the Polish ''Samoobrona'' captured dozens of Vilna Soviet organizers and seized some 1,000 weapons that the revolutionaries had obtained from the retreating German troops.{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|pp=68–69}} On January 9, 1919, after the Red Army captured Vilna, a ceremonial burial for the deceased members of the Vilna Soviet was organized at the [[Cathedral Square, Vilnius|Cathedral Square]].{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|p=69}}{{sfn|Balkelis|2022}} During the post-World War II [[Lithuanian SSR|Soviet era]], Wrona Street was renamed Komunarai Street in memory of the five men.{{sfn|Rimkė|2014}}{{sfn|Vileikis|1988|p=28}}


==February 1919 Reorganization==
==February 1919: reorganization==
Following the capture of Vilna by the Red Army, new elections to the Vilna Soviet were held in which Red Army soldiers could take part.<ref name="Balkelis2018"/> As of February 4, 1919 the Vilna Soviet of Workers and Red Army Deputies included 130 communists (in addition to representatives of the Red Army units), 45 representatives of the Bund, 9 Menshevik-Internationalists, 5 [[Polish Socialist Party of Lithuania and Belarus|Polish Socialist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia]], 2 Left Socialist-Revolutionaries, 1 United Jewish Socialist Workers Party and 4 non-party representatives.<ref name=metais4/> On Febryary 7, 1919 at its first meeting the Vilna Soviet of Workers and Red Army Deputies a 16-member Executive Committee was elected with 16 communists, 3 Bundists and 1 Menshevik-Internationalist. On the suggestion of the Communist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia Central Committee [[Kazimierz Cichowski]] was elected as chairman, E. Senkevičius deputy chairman and {{ill|Jan Olski|pl}} secretary.<ref name=metais4/> The Vilna Soviet took charge as the governing authority of city.<ref name=metais4/>
Following the capture of Vilna by the [[Red Army]] on January 5,{{sfn|Senn|1975|p=72}} new elections to the Vilna Soviet were held in which Red Army soldiers could take part.{{sfn|Balkelis|2018|p=86}} As of February 4, 1919, the Vilna Soviet of Workers and Red Army Deputies included 130 communists (in addition to representatives of the Red Army units), 45 representatives of the Bund, 9 Menshevik-Internationalists, 5 [[Polish Socialist Party of Lithuania and Belarus|Polish Socialist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia]], 2 Left Socialist-Revolutionaries, 1 United Jewish Socialist Workers Party, and 4 non-party representatives.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|pp=467–468}}


At its first meeting on February 7, 1919, the Vilna Soviet of Workers and Red Army Deputies elected a 20-member Executive Committee which included 16 communists, 3 Bundists, and 1 Menshevik-Internationalist.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=468}} On the suggestion of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia, [[Kazimierz Cichowski]] was elected as chairman, E. Senkevičius as deputy chairman, and {{ill|Jan Olski|pl}} as secretary. The Vilna Soviet took charge as the governing authority of city.{{sfn|Vaitkevičius|1967|p=468}}
⚫
On February 18, 1919 Vilna Soviet unanimously adopted resolution approving the merging of Soviet Lithuania with the [[Socialist Soviet Republic of Belorussia]].<ref name="Page1970">{{cite book | author = Stanley W. Page | date = 1970 | title = The Formation of the Baltic States: A Study of the Effects of Great Power Politics Upon the Emergence of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia | publisher = H. Fertig | pages =132 | isbn = 978-0-86527-068-8 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=iKkqAAAAYAAJ}}</ref>

On February 18, 1919, Vilna Soviet unanimously adopted a resolution approving the merger of the [[Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (1918–19)|Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic]] with the [[Socialist Soviet Republic of Belorussia]].{{sfn|Page|1970|p=132}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|25em}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book | first= Tomas |last=Balkelis | date = 2018 | title = War, Revolution, and Nation-making in Lithuania, 1914-1923 | publisher = Oxford University Press | isbn = 978-0-19-966802-1 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=LZRODwAAQBAJ&pg=PA86 }}
* {{cite web |first=Tomas |last=Balkelis |date=April 24, 2022 |title=Kaip vilniečiai bolševikus sutiko: Vilnius 1919 metų pradžioje |url= https://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/istorija/kaip-vilnieciai-bolsevikus-sutiko-vilnius-1919-metu-pradzioje-582-1670096 |publisher=[[15min.lt]] |language=lt |access-date=September 23, 2022}}
* {{cite book |first1=Linas |last1=Broga |last2=Danilevičius |first2=Eugenijus |url=https://books.google.at/books?id=yhX0AAAAMAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=nusi%C5%A1ov%C4%97 |title=Lietuvos TSR turistinis z̆emėlapis |publisher= Valstybinė politinės ir mokslinės literatūros leidykla |year= 1963 |language=lt |oclc=80295871}}
* {{cite book |first=Juozas |last=Bulavas |url=https://books.google.at/books?id=d3HUAAAAMAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=filharmonijos |title=Rinkimai ir "tautos atstovavimas" buržuazinėje Lietuvoje |publisher= Valstybinė politines ir mokslinės literatūros leidykla |year=1956 |oclc=29436546}}
* {{cite book |first=Jack |last=Jacobs | editor-first1 = Sarunas |editor-last1=Liekis | editor-first2 = Antony |editor-last2=Polonsky | editor-first3 = ChaeRan |editor-last3=Freeze | date =2022 | title = Polin: Studies in Polish Jewry Volume 25: Jews in the Former Grand Duchy of Lithuania Since 1772 |chapter=The Bund in Vilna, 1918–1939 | publisher = Liverpool University Press | isbn = 978-1-83764-899-3 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=z0OEEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA267}}
* {{cite book |first=Vincas |last=Kapsukas |title=Pirmoji Lietuvos Proletarinė revoliucija ir tarybų valdžia |language=lt |year=1958 |publisher=Valstybinė politinės ir mokslinės literatūros leidykla |edition=2nd |oclc=420008}}
* {{cite encyclopedia |author=MELC |date=October 11, 2019 |orig-year=2006 |url=https://www.vle.lt/straipsnis/komunarai-1/ |title=komunarai |encyclopedia=[[Visuotinė lietuvių enciklopedija]] |publisher=Mokslo ir enciklopedijų leidybos centras |language=lt |access-date=September 23, 2022}}
⚫
* {{cite book | first = Stanley W. |last=Page |date = 1970 | title = The Formation of the Baltic States: A Study of the Effects of Great Power Politics Upon the Emergence of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia | publisher = H. Fertig | isbn = 978-0-86527-068-8 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=iKkqAAAAYAAJ}}
* {{cite book |first=Antanas |last=Papšys |url=https://books.google.at/books?id=HQZpAAAAMAAJ |title=Vilnius: A Guide |publisher= Progress Publishers |year= 1981 |oclc=9621385}}
* {{cite web |first=Edita |last=Rimkė |title= Vilniaus senamiesčio gatvių pavadinimai sovietinėje Lietuvoje |url=https://www.bernardinai.lt/2014-11-25-edita-rimke-vilniaus-senamiescio-gatviu-pavadinimai-sovietineje-lietuvoje/ |date=November 25, 2014 |publisher=[[Bernardinai.lt]] |language=lt |access-date=September 23, 2022}}
* {{cite web |first=Vaidas |last=Saldžiūnas |title=Detektyvas: kodėl nuo Gedimino kalno dingo pagrindinis valstybės simbolis ir kuo čia dėtas Kaunas? |date=December 29, 2017 |url=https://www.delfi.lt/news/daily/medijos-karas-propaganda/detektyvas-kodel-nuo-gedimino-kalno-dingo-pagrindinis-valstybes-simbolis-ir-kuo-cia-detas-kaunas.d?id=76763543 |publisher=[[Delfi.lt]] |language=lt |access-date=September 23, 2022}}
* {{cite book | first = Alfred Erich |last=Senn | date = 1975 | title = The Emergence of Modern Lithuania | publisher = Greenwood Press | isbn = 978-0-8371-7780-9 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=r_cNAQAAMAAJ}}
* {{cite book | first = Andrew |last=Sloin | date = 2017 | title = The Jewish Revolution in Belorussia: Economy, Race, and Bolshevik Power | publisher = Indiana University Press| isbn = 978-0-253-02463-3 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nzrqDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA84}}
* {{cite book |first=Bronius |last=Vaitkevičius |url=https://books.google.at/books?id=aIO0AAAAIAAJ |title=Socialistinė revoliucija Lietuvoje 1918-1919 metais |publisher= Mintis |year= 1967 |language=lt |oclc=19496712}}
* {{cite book | first = Bronius |last=Vaitkevičius | date = 1988 | title = Pirmoji darbininkų ir valstiečių valdžia Lietuvoje: monografija skiriama LKP įkūrimo ir Tarybų valdžios paskelbimo Lietuvoje 70-mečiui | publisher = Mokslas | language = lt | isbn = 9785420000359 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3xcKAQAAIAAJ}}
* {{cite book | first =Algirdas |last=Vileikis | date = 1988 | script-title =ru: Вильнюс - столица советской Литвы | publisher = Mintis | language = ru | isbn = 9785417000409 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=xwMMAQAAIAAJ}}
* {{cite book | editor1-first=Jonas |editor1-last=Zinkus |display-editors=etal |title=Lithuania: An Encyclopedic Survey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=guFoAAAAMAAJ |year=1986 |publisher=Encyclopedia Publishers |oclc=469438907}}
{{refend}}

[[Category:History of Vilnius]]
[[Category:History of Vilnius]]
[[Category:1918 in Lithuania]]
[[Category:1919 in Lithuania]]
[[Category:Communism in Lithuania]]

Revision as of 04:23, 24 September 2022

The Vilna Soviet of Workers Deputies (Lithuanian: Vilniaus darbininkų atstovų taryba, abbreviated VDAT, Russian: Вильнюсский Совет рабочих депутатов) was a soviet (council) in the city of Vilna (Vilnius). Following end of the First World War on November 11, 1918, a political vacuum emerged in Vilna, as the German Ober Ost project crumbled.[1] The pro-communist Vilna Soviet became one of the political forces seeking to govern the city competing with the Lithuanian Taryba and the Polish Samoobrona.[1] A total of 202 deputies were elected to the soviet in December 1918. Whilst the communists formed the largest faction, the Vilna Soviet was politically diverse. Bundists and communists clashed at the first meeting of the soviet.[2] The soviet also did not welcome the Provisional Revolutionary Workers and Peasants Government of Lithuania headed by Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas. As such, new elections were organized after Vilna was captured by the Red Army on January 5, 1919 during the Soviet westward offensive of 1918–1919. By allowing soldiers to vote, the Bolsheviks ensured their control of the soviet.[3]

December 1918: elections

By late November 1918, communists began preparations for the elections to a workers' soviet. A special commission was set-up to organize elections to the Vilna Soviet. The commission included representatives of the Communist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia, Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, Social Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania and Belorussia (internationalists) (Menshevik-Internationalists), General Jewish Labour Bund, Revolutionary Socialist People's Party of Lithuania [lt] (Left Socialist-Revolutionaries), Jewish Social Democratic Labour Party (Poalei Zion) and other Jewish socialist groups. The commission circulated the provisional statutes for the Vilna Soviet in the press which gave the Vilna Soviet the function as the central governing authority in Lithuania until an All-Lithuanian Congress of Soviets could be held.[4]

Only members of the trade unions were allowed to vote in the elections.[5] The elections took place amid tensions between the workers, the German authorities, and factory owners.[6] The elections began to be held in early December 1918 – before the withdrawal of the German troops.[5] Among Polish workers there was an active campaign against the soviet election, spearheaded by the newspaper Dziennik Wileński.[7] Nevertheless, the electoral campaign continued. For example, the railway workers union organized a mass meeting, which elected forty delegates (communists and allies) to the Vilna Soviet. Among these delegates was Zigmas Angarietis.[7]

All in all, 202 deputies to the Vilna Soviet were elected.[7][8] Out of the elected deputies, 96 deputies were from the Communist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia, 60 from the General Jewish Labour Bund,[2] 22 from the Social Democratic Labour Party of Lithuania and Belorussia (internationalists), 15 from the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, and 9 from other groups (Jewish Social Democratic Labour Party (Poalei Zion), United Jewish Socialist Workers Party, Revolutionary Socialist People's Party of Lithuania).[9]

Proceedings

December 15, 1918: first session

On December 15, 1918, the Vilna Soviet held its inaugural session at the Vilna city hall (the present-day building of the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Society),[10] decorated with red flags and banners with revolutionary slogans.[11] The session was opened with a speech by a veteran labour leader Andrius Domaševičius.[11]

The soviet elected a nine-member presidium of the Vilna Soviet consisting of five communists, three Bundists and one Menshevik-Internationalist. The Communist Party was represented in the Presidium by Pranas Eidukevičius (chairman), Andriejus Novikovas also known as J. Vileiskis[12] (deputy chairman), Iulius Shimeliovich [ru][13] (secretary, a former Bundist turned communist), Zigmas Angarietis, and E. Senkevičius.[14] The three Bundists were Yankef Vaynshteyn (deputy chairman), Nisn Pups (secretary),[2] and L. Novopoliantas, whilst the sole Menshevik-Internationalist was Edvardas Sokolovskis [lt] (deputy chairman).[14][15]

The meeting declared the Vilna Soviet as the sole governing authority of the city.[16][17][18] The gathering declared the end of censorship, banned food exports out of the city, and issued controls on food prices.[16]

In late 1918, on the suggestion of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia, three communists were named as commissars of the Vilna Soviet – Bonifacas Verbickas [lt] (Commissar for City Economy), K. Rimša (Commissar for Prisons) and J. Vileiskis (Commissar for Railways).[19] The soviet attempted to organize militia to control the railway traffic, including German military trains.[3] This resulted in arrests of 30 deputies of the soviet.[20]

December 22, 1918: second session

On December 22, 1918, the second session of the Vilna Soviet was held. Non-communist groups proposed a motion which refused to cede power to the newly proclaimed Provisional Revolutionary Workers and Peasants Government of Lithuania headed by Vincas Mickevičius-Kapsukas.[21] Instead, the governing power should belong to a Lithuanian congress of Soviets, and that the Executive Committee of the Vilna Soviet would govern until such congress could be called.[21] The Vilna Soviet majority described the Provisional Revolutionary Government as an imposition by "Bolshevik commissars in Moscow".[3] The communist faction rejected the motion, and refused to take part in the vote.[21]

Vilna Soviet adopted a resolution on political prisoners held at Lukiškės Prison: if the prisoners (including 30 deputies of the soviet) were not freed by December 23, 1918, workers would begin a political strike.[22] Since German authorities refused to comply, a general strike began on December 24, 1918.[23] Electricity systems were shut down.[3] By the evening of December 25, 1918, German authorities released the political prisoners and handed over the management of the prison to the Vilna Soviet.[24]

Preparing for an armed confrontation with the Polish legionnaires, the Vilna Soviet proceeded to organize a workers militia.[19][25] Doctors Stasys Matulaitis and Andrius Domaševičius began organizing a paramedical unit.[19]

December 27, 1918: third session

The third session of the Vilna Soviet was held on December 27, 1918. Around this time, German army was handing over resources (supplies, food, funds, etc.) to the bourgeois Vilna City Duma.[26] The Communist Party presented a motion calling for a confrontation with the bourgeoisie, demanding the transfer of all institutions, resources, and government employees to the Vilna Soviet, and for looters of food stuffs to be court-martialed. The Bund rejected the communist motion, arguing that the struggle should be directed solely against the German occupation forces, not the local bourgeoisie. The Bundists argued that the communist line would bring a civil war. The communist motion was passed with 110 votes in favour.[26]

January 1–2, 1919: shoot-out with Polish Samoobrona

As German troops retreated from Vilna, Polish Samoobrona attempted to establish its control over the city.[27] On January 1, 1919, Samoobrona surrounded to the Vilna Soviet, which had barricaded at the Workers' Club building at 5 Wrona (Varnių) Street (later 9 Komunarai Street, present-day A. Jakštas Street).[27][28] Inside the building were the Vilna Soviet deputies and some fifty members of the workers' militia.[28] Around 11 pm the leader of the Polish forces, general Władysław Wejtko, issued an ultimatum to surrender which the soviet refused.[29]

The shoot-out lasted for over twelve hours.[30] A militia unit had been sent to Kirtimai [de] to gather firearms, but was unable to return to the city.[28] Cornered in the basement of the building, rather than surrendering Iulius Shimeliovich [ru] (Raisenas), Leonas Čaplinskas, Antanas Liaudanskas [lt], Jankelis Šapira (Asas), and Bonifacas Verbickas [lt] used their last remaining bullets to commit suicide.[13][31][32][33][34] Roman Pilar attempted to shoot himself, but survived.[35]

After the shoot-out, the Polish Samoobrona captured dozens of Vilna Soviet organizers and seized some 1,000 weapons that the revolutionaries had obtained from the retreating German troops.[36] On January 9, 1919, after the Red Army captured Vilna, a ceremonial burial for the deceased members of the Vilna Soviet was organized at the Cathedral Square.[32][37] During the post-World War II Soviet era, Wrona Street was renamed Komunarai Street in memory of the five men.[38][39]

February 1919: reorganization

Following the capture of Vilna by the Red Army on January 5,[40] new elections to the Vilna Soviet were held in which Red Army soldiers could take part.[3] As of February 4, 1919, the Vilna Soviet of Workers and Red Army Deputies included 130 communists (in addition to representatives of the Red Army units), 45 representatives of the Bund, 9 Menshevik-Internationalists, 5 Polish Socialist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia, 2 Left Socialist-Revolutionaries, 1 United Jewish Socialist Workers Party, and 4 non-party representatives.[41]

At its first meeting on February 7, 1919, the Vilna Soviet of Workers and Red Army Deputies elected a 20-member Executive Committee which included 16 communists, 3 Bundists, and 1 Menshevik-Internationalist.[42] On the suggestion of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Lithuania and Belorussia, Kazimierz Cichowski was elected as chairman, E. Senkevičius as deputy chairman, and Jan Olski [pl] as secretary. The Vilna Soviet took charge as the governing authority of city.[42]

On February 18, 1919, Vilna Soviet unanimously adopted a resolution approving the merger of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic with the Socialist Soviet Republic of Belorussia.[43]

References

  1. ^ a b Balkelis 2018, p. 3.
  2. ^ a b c Jacobs 2022, p. 267.
  3. ^ a b c d e Balkelis 2018, p. 86.
  4. ^ Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 374.
  5. ^ a b Jacobs 2022, p. 266.
  6. ^ Vaitkevičius 1967, pp. 374–375.
  7. ^ a b c Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 375.
  8. ^ Zinkus 1986, p. 152.
  9. ^ Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 447.
  10. ^ Bulavas 1956, p. 12.
  11. ^ a b Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 388.
  12. ^ Kapsukas 1958, pp. 216–217.
  13. ^ a b Sloin 2017, p. 84.
  14. ^ a b Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 389.
  15. ^ Vaitkevičius 1988, p. 107.
  16. ^ a b Balkelis 2018, p. 85.
  17. ^ Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 390.
  18. ^ Papšys 1981, p. 45.
  19. ^ a b c Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 402.
  20. ^ Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 403.
  21. ^ a b c Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 404.
  22. ^ Vaitkevičius 1967, pp. 404–405.
  23. ^ Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 405.
  24. ^ Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 407.
  25. ^ Balkelis 2018, pp. 85–86.
  26. ^ a b Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 408.
  27. ^ a b Balkelis 2018, p. 68.
  28. ^ a b c Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 409.
  29. ^ Vaitkevičius 1967, pp. 409–410.
  30. ^ Senn 1975, p. 71.
  31. ^ Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 410.
  32. ^ a b Balkelis 2018, p. 69.
  33. ^ Broga & Danilevičius 1963, p. 42.
  34. ^ MELC 2019.
  35. ^ Saldžiūnas 2017.
  36. ^ Balkelis 2018, pp. 68–69.
  37. ^ Balkelis 2022.
  38. ^ Rimkė 2014.
  39. ^ Vileikis 1988, p. 28.
  40. ^ Senn 1975, p. 72.
  41. ^ Vaitkevičius 1967, pp. 467–468.
  42. ^ a b Vaitkevičius 1967, p. 468.
  43. ^ Page 1970, p. 132.

Bibliography

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