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Since 1946 Kaliningrad has served as a trip wire in Russian defense strategy against aggression from [[Western Europe]]. Kaliningrad, which is separated from Russia proper, in Soviet and post-Soviet times as been described as the largest military base on the planet.
Since 1946 Kaliningrad has served as a trip wire in Russian defense strategy against aggression from [[Western Europe]]. Kaliningrad, which is separated from Russia proper, in Soviet and post-Soviet times as been described as the largest military base on the planet.
===Memel Territory===
The Memel territory was separated from German East Prussia in 1920, and put under French administration. The area had been conquered by the Teutonic Order in the Middle Ages, and had belonged to Prussia for at least 500 years. It was inhabited by Germans as the largest part of the population, while a quarter declared itself Lithuanian, and another quarter, as local Memelländer and/or Klaipedians depending on language.
In 1923, Lithuanian forces occupied the area during what is called the Klaipeda revolt. The French forces put up a token resistance and left, and later the annexation of the area now called the Klaipeda region by [[Lithuania]] was confirmed by the International Community. This was considered a Western betrayal by many, especially by France who did not protect autonomy either with their troops, or by diplomacy. Also, when the government of the [[Weimar Republic]] agreed to the annexation in 1928, it was also considered a betrayal by many Germans, by their own government.
==References==
==References==