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Discussing the formation of the Duchy of Lithuania, the author guesses that the process was stimulated not just by the internal factors of social and political development, but also by the influence of the neighbouring countries (first of all that of the Slavic lands). It is supposed that the Duchy of Lithuania was an early state structure, which formed itself probably about the 11th century. The formation of the Duchy of Lithuania is connected with the growth of the system of castles and deepening of social stratification. The castles were defensive centres and ducal residences. In the 11-12th centuries they were appearing mainly in the eastern part of modern Aukštaitija and Dzūkija, where the initial land of Lithuania was. As T. Baranauskas guesses, the creation of the Duchy of Lithuania was stimulated by the needs of defence against the Kievan Ruthenia, as well as by cultural influence, spreading from there. Duchy was a natural stage in the political development of Lithuania. In the beginning of the 2nd millennium Lithuania became the leader of the Baltic lands in terms of level of political organisation. She was the only, who managed to grow into the grand duchy and defend her independence. The author dates the establishment of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL) to 1183. It is asserted that the main indication of its establishment was sudden growth of the Lithuanian military power and almost unchangeable intensity of the military raids in the period before Mindaugas and in the times of Mindaugas, when the GDL was already undoubtedly functioning. The author grounds this also with the written sources, for example, the information of the Livonian chronicle that the father of Mindaugas was a King, who had no equals.
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