Memel territory

Quick Facts: Who was Memel territory?

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Memel territory

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Historical territory of East Prussia, administered by the League of Nations post-WWI.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Klaipėda Region (Lithuanian: Klaipėdos kraštas) or Memel Territory (German: Memelland or Memelgebiet) was defined by the 1919 Treaty of Versailles in 1920 and refers to the northernmost part of the German province of East Prussia, when, as Memelland, it was put under the administration of the Entente's Council of Ambassadors. The Memel Territory, together with other areas severed from Germany (the Saar and Danzig), was to remain under the control of the League of Nations until a future date, when the people of those regions would be allowed to vote on whether or not the land would return to Germany. Today, the former Memel Territory is controlled by Lithuania as part of Klaipėda and Tauragė counties. In 1226, Duke Konrad I of Masovia requested assistance against the Prussians and other Baltic tribes, including the Skalvians who lived along the Neman (Memel) River. In March 1226, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II issued the Golden Bull of Rimini, which provided that the Teutonic Knights would possess lands taken beyond the Masovian border in exchange for securing Masovia.

Career & Major Achievements

After uprisings of the Baltic Prussian tribes in 1242 to 1274 failed, the Order conquered many remaining western Balts in Lithuania Minor, including the Skalvians, Nadruvians and Yotvingians. In 1252, the Order constructed Memel Castle where the Dangė river flows into the Neman, at the north end of the Curonian Spit. In 1422, after centuries of conflict, the Order and the Polish–Lithuanian union signed the Treaty of Melno, which defined a border between Prussia and Lithuania. Although Grand Duke Vytautas of Lithuania wanted the border to be coextensive with the Neman River, the treaty border started north of Memelberg and ran southeasterly to the Neman. This border remained until 1918.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After the Treaty of Melno was signed, many Lithuanians returned to northeastern Prussia, which became known as Lithuania Minor in the 16th century. After World War I ended in 1918, the Klaipėda Region was defined as a roughly-triangular wedge, with the northern border being the Treaty of Melno border, the southern border following the Neman River, and on the west abutting the Baltic Sea. In 1923, fearing that the western powers would create a free state, Lithuanians took control of the region and, as part of larger regional negotiations, incorporated the region into the State of Lithuania. In March 1939, Lithuania acquiesced to Nazi demands and transferred the Klaipėda Region to Germany. As World War II came to an end in 1945, the Soviet Union incorporated the region into the Lithuanian SSR.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1226: 1226 Milestone — In 1226, Duke Konrad I of Masovia requested assistance against the Prussians and other Baltic tribes, including the Skalvians who lived along the Neman (Memel) River.
2. 1242: 1242 Milestone — After uprisings of the Baltic Prussian tribes in 1242 to 1274 failed, the Order conquered many remaining western Balts in Lithuania Minor, including the Skalvians, Nadruvians and Yotvingians.
3. 1252: 1252 Milestone — In 1252, the Order constructed Memel Castle where the Dangė river flows into the Neman, at the north end of the Curonian Spit.
4. 1422: 1422 Milestone — In 1422, after centuries of conflict, the Order and the Polish–Lithuanian union signed the Treaty of Melno, which defined a border between Prussia and Lithuania.
5. 1918: 1918 Milestone — After World War I ended in 1918, the Klaipėda Region was defined as a roughly-triangular wedge, with the northern border being the Treaty of Melno border, the southern border following the Neman River, and on the west abutting the Baltic Sea.
6. 1919: 1919 Milestone — The Klaipėda Region (Lithuanian: Klaipėdos kraštas) or Memel Territory (German: Memelland or Memelgebiet) was defined by the 1919 Treaty of Versailles in 1920 and refers to the northernmost part of the German province of East Prussia, when, as Memelland, it was put under the administration of the Entente's Council of Ambassadors.
7. 1923: 1923 Milestone — In 1923, fearing that the western powers would create a free state, Lithuanians took control of the region and, as part of larger regional negotiations, incorporated the region into the State of Lithuania.
8. 1939: 1939 Milestone — In March 1939, Lithuania acquiesced to Nazi demands and transferred the Klaipėda Region to Germany.
9. 1945: 1945 Milestone — As World War II came to an end in 1945, the Soviet Union incorporated the region into the Lithuanian SSR.

Notable Quotes by Memel territory

“Memel is an entirely German town [...] which has never in its whole history belonged to Lithuania or to Poland.” (1919)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Memel territory

True or False: “The Treaty of Versailles immediately granted the Memel Territory full sovereignty to Lithuania upon signing.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The treaty initially placed the territory under the administration of the League of Nations until a future vote on its return to Germany.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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Frequently Asked Questions about Memel territory