Lithuania (Lithuanian: Lietuva) is one of the two Baltic countries in Europe, and a puppet German kingdom in Mitteleuropa, It is bordered by Germany to the west, the United Baltic Duchy to the north, White Ruthenia to the east and Poland to the south.
History
The history of the Kingdom of Lithuania starts as far back as the 13th century, with the unification of the Baltic tribes under the rule of Mindaugas, who accepted Christianity and was coronated as the first King of Lithuania. Even though he was soon assassinated by his rivals and the full baptism of the state had to wait, Mindaugas's primary legacy - the united Lithuanian nation - endured. Lithuania was the last European nation to accept Christianity, and later united with Poland in what is known as the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Much like it's partner, Lithuania was destroyed in the Partitions of the Commonwealth, and almost the entire nation was annexed by the Russian Empire. However, the spirit of the Lithuanian nation held on and strengthened during that time. The unsuccessful uprisings of 1830 and 1863 worsened the burden of annexation - the University of Vilnius was disestablished by the Tsarists, and the governorship of Mikhail Muravyov-Vilensky saw the beginning of a mass Russification program, started with a Lithuanian press ban in 1864. The Lithuanians responded with a development unique to them across all of history - book smuggling (knygnešiai). The 40 year long Russification period saw the beginning of the Lithuanian National Revival. This was the period when the modern Lithuanian nation developed, and many great writers created works in the name of it.
The National Revival culminated in the Great Seimas of Vilnius in 1904, where the gathered intellectuals and Lithuanian representatives declared the Lithuanian right to autonomy within the Russian Empire. While the Lithuanians achieved a cancellation of the press ban, the fanning flames of the 1905 Revolution brought an end to the hopes of freedom. Thus, the Lithuanians turned west - if a great war were to happen between Germany and Russia, and Russia was defeated, perhaps the Lithuanians could achieve their life long goal...
And thus, the Weltkrieg began. In 1917, the Great Seimas was repeated with the Vilnius Conference. The Council of Lithuania was elected as the representative of the Lithuanian nation, and in December of 1917, it declared the creation of the Kingdom of Lithuania, with "eternal ties to Germany". Wilhelm von Urach, a Catholic German duke, was elected as King of Lithuania and officially coronated in 1920 under the new name Mindaugas II. After his death in 1929, he was succeeded by his son, Mindaugas III.
The freshly baked Kingdom immediately joined Mitteleuropa, but still has it's big share of problems. Many Lithuanians were disappointed by the state of affairs and the German dominance in the kingdom, which led to the creation of extreme nationalist groups wishing to break this domination. Socialism has been big in Lithuania since the early 20th century, too, and the Social Democratic Party has been receiving many votes in the elections for many years, too. While the Christian Democrats remain in power for now, who knows what can happen in the next period of history?
Politics
King of Lithuania: J.K.D. Mindaugas III von Urach
Prime Minister: Antanas Merkys
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Juozas Urbšys
Minister of the Economy: Valdemaras Vytautas Carneckis
Minister of Internal Affairs: Antanas Smetona
Head of the Department of National Security: Dovas Zaunius
Chief of Staff: Jonas Galvydis-Bykauskas
Chief of Army: Stasys Raštikis
Chief of Navy: Garnis Dirmantas
Chief of Air Force: Antanas Gustaitis
Political Parties of Lithuania:
The ruling and biggest party in the nation is the Christian Democrats of Lithuania (Lietuvos krikščionys demokratai, LKD). Formed from the pro-German members of the Council of Lithuania and many Lithuanian intellectuals, the LKD is, as the name implies, in favor of conservatism, Christian democracy and a pro-German stance in foreign affairs. The party has been in power since the inception of the Republic of Lithuania. The leader of the Party is Antanas Smetona, who is represented in the Cabinet as the Minister of Internal Affairs, and the Head of Government is his loyal follower Antanas Merkys. The King of Lithuania is a honorary member.
The main opposition party is the Social Democratic Party of Lithuania (Lietuvos socialdemokratų partija, LSDP). The chairman of the party is Vladas Požela, but he is unwilling to take helm as Prime Minister despite his big popularity, thus their main candidate is the entrepreneur Jonas Pakalka. LSDP stands in favor of following Scandinavia's footsteps and creating a social democratic nation, a Baltic Model, if you will.
The Party of Lithuanian National Interests (Lietuvių tautinių interesų partija, LTIP) unites the radical nationalist elements in Lithuania, and it's undisputed leader is Augustinas Voldemaras. LTIP is increasingly anti-German, anti-Slavic and anti-Syndicalist, and is growing to be a strong contender in the upcoming 1938 elections. The paramilitary at Voldemaras's disposal, the Iron Wolf Brigades, are becoming a problem for Lithuanian internal security as well.
There is also an underground movement, led by Vincas Kapsukas, called the Lithuanian Democratic Syndicate (Lietuvos demokratinis sindikatas, LDS). However, most people more commonly know them as the Blue Cockades, a student and trade unionist movement in favor of creating a Syndicalist Lithuania in the likes of the Internationale. They have received a bit of funding from France and Britain, but for the most part are on their own.
Military
After the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, the need for the formation of a Lithuanian army under the King became imminent, and the effort of forming an early force of Lithuanian volunteers was headed by Silvestras Žukauskas, formerly an officer in Tsarist Russia. While his efforts were exemplary, his past as a Russian soldier made him untrustworthy, and Germany soon replaced him with Jonas Galvydis-Bykauskas, who heads the nation's army to this day.
The Lithuanian Royal Armed Forces are composed of five infantry divisions and an interceptor wing, led by Antanas Gustaitis, a famous aviator and airplane constructor. Conscription is mandatory and the army is very professional, but is arguably the weakest in Mitteleuropa.
Foreign Relations
Lithuania is part of the Mitteleuropa military and economic alliance.
Very good relations with Germany and other countries in Mitteleuropa.
Friendly relations with Poland.