The unified territory of Poland and Lithuania was partitioned thrice in 1772, 1792 and 1795 respectively. This led to the incorporation of
Lithuania under Russia. The greater portions of the erstwhile grand Duchy of Lithuania came under Russian control.
The partition also resulted in the obliteration of Lithuania from the political map of Europe. Lithuania lost its position and and faded into oblivion for over a century. The Russian rule in Lithuania sought to impose its cultural and sociological aspects on to the newly integrated territory. But this aroused resentment amongst the native Lithuanians and Lithuania overthrew the Russian forces in 1918 and was provided with protection by the German forces. The struggle between Lithuania and Russia, however, dates back to 1654. It was the time when Lithuania was involved in quite a few battles with Russia. Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital city was captured by the armies of the Russian Czar. Czar Nicholas I of Russia perceived a new threat with the coming of the French forces in Lithuania. They were looked upon as liberators and given a grand welcome by the Lithuanians. The Czar undertook a program of converting Lithuania into a provincial hinterland. The attempt was resisted twice by the Lithuanian nationals in 1831 and 1863. the Russians sought to impose Russian Orthodox Religion in Lithuania. A restriction was imposed on the language of Lithuania as well. But the Russian oppression did not continue for long enough as the Lithuania proclaimed its independence from Russia in 1918 after years of struggle.
