So one of the most disappointing events in Lithuanian history happened during the Thirteen Years' War, or, more accurately, Lithuania's (in)action during it. As we know, this was the war which was the death knell to the Teutonic Order, reducing it to a tiny fief around Koenigsberg.
Now, Poland fought this war without Lithuania, even though they were very interested in drawing them into the conflict, but they failed, and the only think that they got out of negotiations was Lithuania not allowing Livonian troops to pass through their territory.
Any amount of logic thinking points to helping Poland as the most reasonable solution - the Teutonic Order was Lithuania's eternal rival, and they were more than likely to acquire a lot of territory from it, most importantly a port, which they severely needed - but, as is unfortunately way too common in Lithuanian history, the Lithuanians were more interested in petty patriotic squabbles rather than the greater picture, and thus they instead spent the time complaining to Poland about losing Podolia.
And that's why it is a very disappointing event, because it was the best shot for Lithuania to incorporate East Prussia, which, at the time, was still Lithuanian enough to be a core territory. Klaipėda, Gumbinnen and Koenigsberg would be undoubtedly considered Lithuanian, stuff like that... And Prussia would not arise...
So what if the Thirteen Years War turned out different? What if Lithuania agreed to help Poland in the conflict and the Teutonic Order ended up partitioned between the two powers?
What would be the impact on the history of Central Europe?
What would happen in Germany now that the Duchy of Prussia has been erased from ever existing?
Now, Poland fought this war without Lithuania, even though they were very interested in drawing them into the conflict, but they failed, and the only think that they got out of negotiations was Lithuania not allowing Livonian troops to pass through their territory.
Any amount of logic thinking points to helping Poland as the most reasonable solution - the Teutonic Order was Lithuania's eternal rival, and they were more than likely to acquire a lot of territory from it, most importantly a port, which they severely needed - but, as is unfortunately way too common in Lithuanian history, the Lithuanians were more interested in petty patriotic squabbles rather than the greater picture, and thus they instead spent the time complaining to Poland about losing Podolia.
And that's why it is a very disappointing event, because it was the best shot for Lithuania to incorporate East Prussia, which, at the time, was still Lithuanian enough to be a core territory. Klaipėda, Gumbinnen and Koenigsberg would be undoubtedly considered Lithuanian, stuff like that... And Prussia would not arise...
So what if the Thirteen Years War turned out different? What if Lithuania agreed to help Poland in the conflict and the Teutonic Order ended up partitioned between the two powers?
What would be the impact on the history of Central Europe?
What would happen in Germany now that the Duchy of Prussia has been erased from ever existing?