Polish Constitution of 1791 Is Passed
The Polish Constitution of 1791, passed on May 3, represents a significant moment in Poland's history as it aimed to modernize the governance of the nation and address its weaknesses. Officially called the Bill on Government, the constitution established Poland as a constitutional monarchy, enhancing the rights of the middle class and peasantry while maintaining Roman Catholicism as the state religion. This legal framework sought to create a more centralized and stable government, moving away from the previously chaotic system of electing kings, which had led to corruption and external influence from neighboring powers.
During the late 17th century, Poland had been a formidable European power, playing a crucial role in regional conflicts, including the defense against the Ottoman Empire. However, by the late 18th century, internal divisions, particularly among the nobility, undermined national unity and paved the way for the partitions of Poland by Austria, Prussia, and Russia. The constitution emerged in response to national discontent and the desire for reform to restore Poland's sovereignty. Despite its ambitions, the constitution ultimately faced fierce opposition, leading to foreign intervention and the eventual dissolution of Poland as a state by the end of the 18th century. The legacy of the 1791 Constitution underscores the challenges faced by nations striving for self-determination amid external pressures and internal strife.
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Polish Constitution of 1791 Is Passed
Polish Constitution of 1791 Is Passed
On May 3, 1791, the Polish Sejm, or legislative assembly, approved a new constitution for the country. Officially called the Bill on Government, it made Poland a constitutional monarchy with greater rights for the middle class and the peasantry. It also provided for religious tolerance, although the privileged position of Roman Catholicism as the state religion was preserved. In addition, the monarchy was made hereditary, replacing the former system of electing kings which had led to considerable corruption and outside interference as other nations vied to place their favorite candidate on the throne.
Poland had been one of Europe's great powers. Polish kings had once controlled much of western Russia and had been instrumental in defending Western Christendom by defeating the Ottoman Turks when their invading armies nearly reached the gates of Vienna in the late 17th century. However, central authority was weak, due to the self-serving behavior of the Polish nobility, who jealously guarded their privileges, interests, and local power regardless of the nation's welfare. Since kings had to be elected by the nobles, it was difficult to build any lasting national government which could resist the centrifugal forces at work. Poland's neighbors Austria, Prussia, and Russia furthered the process of disintegration by bribing or otherwise influencing important nobles to support their various interests or causes.
By 1772 Poland was so weak that these neighboring powers decided to take various portions of the country for themselves, an agreement known as the First Partition of Poland, which led to the distribution of roughly one-fourth of the land to the Austrians, Prussians, and Russians. The resulting outrage among Polish patriots led to the passage of the Constitution of 1791 and other measures to reform the country so that it could stand on its own once again.
Unfortunately, this effort to reform was a failure. Nobles who had opposed the new constitution formed the Confederacy of Targowica in May 1792 and asked Empress Catherine the Great of Russia for assistance. The result was a Russian invasion of Poland which, despite valiant resistance by loyal Polish forces, ended with the Second Partition of Poland in 1793. When Polish resistance continued, the Austrians, Prussians, and Russians took all that remained of the nation in a third and final partition in 1797. Poland would not re-emerge as a nation until the 20th century.