Duchy of Lithuania

The Duchy of Lithuania was a medieval state established in the 13th century, centered around the Baltic region. It was initially a pagan-led territory that expanded under the leadership of Grand Dukes like Gediminas and Vytautas, eventually uniting the Baltic tribes and neighboring territories. In 1386, it became part of the Polish-Lithuanian Union through the Union of Krewo, which strengthened its political and military power. The duchy played a crucial role in Eastern European history, resisting the Teutonic Knights and expanding its influence until it evolved into the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, a major political entity until the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth formed in the 16th century.