Context

Kaunas, Lithuania

Jonas Makauskis lived here, with his family. Kaunas is close to Vilnius, Lithuania's capital-- as a result, social, work, and political connections were strong between the communities of these two important Lithuanian cities. Most of Jonas's work took place in Kaunas, and most photo accounts of his life were taken there as well.

Ellis Island Opens: 1892

  • Ellis island is an open option to those fleeing a country such as Lithuania

  • First wave of Lithuanian immigrants: 1865-1916

    • Halted mostly due to Lithuania's independence in 1916

    • Communities start to develop in cities like Chicago, IL, Brooklyn, NY and Brockton, MA

Independence: 1918-39

  • Lithuania was declared an independent country

  • Governments working to sustain economic and societal growth

    • Jonas's involvement in parliament started at the First Seimas, the first Lithuanian Parliament system.

  • In 1940, the first signs of disaster start to show: Soviet powers closing in on control.

    • Word spreads to representatives like Jonas to leave the country.

World War II: 1941-45

  • Soviet Union began occupations in 1940; targeted government officials, especially those fighting for continued sovereignty

  • Declared Lithuania the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1944

  • Vilnius is occupied July 13, 1944

  • Kaunas is occupied August 1, 1944

  • Strict officials and laws

    • "There was always someone watching and listening to your actions and words"

    • Harsh consequences for opposition to Soviet forces

  • Imprisonment likely of a family like the Makauskis' who had deep ties to Lithuanian government

Lithuanian Conflict Phase: 1944-1953

  • A revolt against the Soviet powers begins August 3, 1944

  • Attempted coup is staged

  • 20,000 Lithuanian Partisans, 13,000 Soviet soldiers, 2,600 unaffiliated citizens killed

  • Suppression from Soviet officials ultimately stifles the uprising

Displaced Persons Act: 1948

  • Around 36,000 Lithuanians allowed into the United States

    • Jonas and family in 1951

  • Immigrants tend to move into New York, and some to Massachusetts

    • Many are offered low-paying, low-skilled professions

    • General discrimination prevents many intelligent immigrants from pursuing their former careers

  • Occupation continued after the war

  • Lithuania declares independence 1991

    • Still a cautious tone because of suspicious Russian activity

Soviet Period: 1945-91