![]() Independent Lithuania, although it would soon be battling the Wars of Independence, became a reality. In November 1918 the first Cabinet of Lithuania was formed, and the Council of Lithuania gained control over the territory of Lithuania. The situation changed only when Germany lost World War I in the fall of 1918. ![]() The work of the Council was hindered, and Germans remained in control over Lithuania. Publication of the Act was prohibited by the German authorities, and the text was distributed and printed illegally. The immediate effects of the announcement of Lithuania’s re-establishment of independence were limited. The Council had to carefully maneuver between the Germans, whose troops were present in Lithuania, and the demands of the Lithuanian people. The Council of Lithuania also declares that the foundation of the Lithuanian State and its relations with other countries will be finally determined by the Constituent Assembly, to be convoked as soon as possible, elected democratically by all its inhabitants.” The Council of Lithuania, as the sole representative of the Lithuanian nation, based on the recognized right to national self-determination, and on the Vilnius Conference’s resolution of September 18–23, 1917, proclaims the restoration of the independent state of Lithuania, founded on democratic principles, with Vilnius as its capital, and declares the termination of all state ties which formerly bound this State to other nations. The Council of Lithuania in its session of Februdecided unanimously to address the governments of Russia, Germany, and other states with the following declaration: ![]() On 16 February 1918, the members of the Council signed, which was chaired by Jonas Basanavičius, the Act of Independence of Lithuania. The Council of Lithuania consisting of 20 elected members was charged to reach the objective. In 1917, over 200 delegates convened for the Vilnius Conference and adopted a resolution first stating the objective to make Lithuania an independent state. ![]() The outcome of the First World War created the preconditions for Lithuania, still suffering from German occupation, to reach the long-term goal of the nation: restore an independent state. ![]()
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