During the Soviet period in Lithuania (1944–1990), significant political, social, and economic changes occurred under the heavy hand of Soviet control. Following the Red Army’s re-occupation of Lithuania in 1944, the republic was integrated into the Soviet Union as the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic. Soviet authorities moved quickly to consolidate power, suppressing opposition and deporting intellectuals, clergy, and political figures to Siberian labor camps. Collectivization devastated agriculture, while large industries were prioritized to align Lithuania's economy with Soviet economic goals. The forced nationalization of property and rural economic neglect led to declining living standards, compounded by poorly constructed postwar housing.
The Soviets also pursued demographic manipulation to integrate Lithuania more tightly into the USSR. However, unlike Estonia and Latvia, where mass migration from other Soviet republics drastically altered demographics, Lithuania experienced more limited Russian immigration. This was partly due to Lithuania's relative isolation and retention of its cultural identity. Ethnic Russians who settled in Lithuania before Soviet annexation were better integrated than those arriving later, helping mitigate some tensions. Nevertheless, the state favored Russian immigrants for housing and key administrative roles. Despite these pressures, Lithuania retained a stronger sense of national identity compared to other Baltic states, in part due to cultural revitalization efforts in Vilnius and the survival of Lithuanian-language education.
Economically, the Soviet government made heavy investments in energy infrastructure and manufacturing industries to integrate Lithuania into the Soviet system. Industrial development outpaced other sectors, including agriculture and housing, further disrupting the rural economy. Lithuania, however, benefited from these capital investments and performed relatively well compared to other Soviet republics. Despite this, urban development struggled with poor-quality construction, and many Lithuanians resented being economically subsumed into the Soviet sphere.
Culturally, the Soviet era saw a subtle national revival. While the regime repressed religious and political expression, Lithuanian language and literature flourished within certain constraints. Vilnius University became a hub for Baltic studies, and national identity was reinforced through education, art, and scholarship. This delicate balance between Soviet control and cultural preservation played a crucial role in sustaining Lithuanian identity during decades of occupation.