World War I Grodno

after outbreak of world war i, grodno occupied germany (sept 3 1915) , ceded bolshevist russia under treaty of brest-litovsk in 1918. after war german government permitted short-lived state set there, first 1 belarusian name—the belarusian people s republic. declared independence russia in march 1918 in minsk (known @ time mensk), bnr s rada (council) had leave minsk , fled grodno. time military authority in city remained in german hands.

after outbreak of polish–bolshevik war, german commanders of ober ost feared city might fall soviet russia, on april 27, 1919 passed authority poland. city taken on polish army following day , polish administration established in city. city lost red army on july 20, 1920 in became known first battle of grodno. city claimed lithuanian government, after agreed soviet–lithuanian treaty of 1920 signed on july 12, 1920 in moscow city transferred lithuania. however, soviet defeat in battle of warsaw made these plans obsolete, , lithuanian authority never established in city. instead, red army organised last stand in city , battle of neman took place there. on september 23 polish army recaptured city. after peace treaty of riga, grodno remained in poland.

initially, prosperity reduced due fact city remained capital of powiat, while capital of voivodship moved białystok. however, in late 1920s city became 1 of biggest polish army garrisons. brought local economy on track. also, city notable centre of jewish culture, 37% of city s population being jewish.