Konstantin Ezovitov
Belarus- Early Life and Career
- Political Activism
- President of Lithuania
- Authoritarian Rule
- World War II and Death
Early Life and Career
Antanas Smetona was born on August 7, 1874, in Ukmergė, Lithuania. He was raised in a rural area and attended school in Vilnius. After graduating, he studied law at the University of St. Petersburg.
Political Activism
In 1899, Smetona joined the Lithuanian Democratic Party. He became involved in the movement for Lithuanian independence and was elected to the First Seimas (parliament) in 1920.
President of Lithuania
In 1926, Smetona was elected President of Lithuania. He served in this role for three terms, from 1926 to 1934, 1936 to 1938, and 1938 to 1940.
Authoritarian Rule
During his presidency, Smetona established an authoritarian government. He suspended civil liberties, dissolved the Seimas, and assumed executive power. He also introduced a new constitution that greatly diminished the powers of the legislature.
World War II and Death
With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Lithuania declared neutrality. However, in 1940, the Soviet Union invaded and annexed Lithuania. Smetona fled to Germany but was later captured by the Soviets. He died in a Soviet prison in 1944.
