In1918-1920 thousands of Lithuanians, Jews and other minorities had fought together to restore an independent state even as they entertained conflicting visions of the new polity. But the deteriating international situation of the 1930s and the realities of Soviet occupation profoundly affected communal attitudes. Examples of Lithaunian and Jewish responses are outlined in this article. Geopolitical realities contributed to the radicalization of society as well as the anti-Soviet resistance.