FORMER LITHUANIA

The ancestors of modern Lithuanians were a people called the Baltics (or Baltos) who
arrived in the area around 2,000 BC.C. In 1240 AD.C. a man named Mindaugas united the
Lithuanian tribes. He was the first King (Grand Duke) of the country, and in 1251 he
converted to Christianity. Mindaugas was assassinated in 1263 and his people returned
to paganism.
In 1316, Lithuania was united again by a man named Gediminas. He chose the title of
grand duke over king and under his rule Lithuania was strengthened. He made Vilnius the
capital and encouraged settlers from other parts of Europe.
Lithuania expanded eastward, to what is now Belarus and Ukraine. However, they faced
a growing threat, the Teutonic Knights. It was an order of German knights who fought
against the pagans in the Baltic region.
In 1377, Jogaila (Władysładysło Jagiellon) became Grand Duke of Lithuania. In 1381, he
was forced to flee Vilnius by his uncle, Kęstutis, who declared himself Grand Duke.
However, in 1382 Jogaila again took power in Vilnius while Kęstutis was away. He
captured Kęstutis and his son Vytautas.
In 1386, Grand Duke Jogaila married Edugives of Poland. The Polish Sejm (parliament)
elected him King of Poland. Jogaila accepted Christianity and most of its people were
converted. Subsequently, Jogaila moved to Poland.
He was too far from Lithuania to rule, so in 1392 he made peace with Vytautas, his former
enemy. Vytautas (1350–1430) was appointed Grand Duke of Lithuania, on condition
that he lend his support to Jogaila.