Series – The Partitions of Poland Part Two

The First Partition of Poland (1772)

    The first partition of Poland occurred in 1772, after Frederick of Prussia presented a plan to Catherine of Russia to divide portions of the Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth into three sections for Prussia, Austria, and Russia. First, the plan was accepted by Catherine of Russia, then by Maria Theresa of Austria, thus ending a potential war between Austria and Russia. Before the Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth could be officially segmented, the Sejm met and ratified the verdict. The Sejm’s actions gained worldwide support, because it provided stability in the region of Central and Eastern Europe. The Sejm’s actions or non-actions would propel the downfall of the commonwealth (Davies, 2005).

    The Prussians plan provided each empire spoils that were tolerable for each. Prussia would obtain West Prussia, including Bydgoszcz (Bromberg) but not Gdansk. Austria would gain a portion of lower Poland that would be called Galicia, including L’wow (L’viv) and Nowy Sacz. Russia would take Polish Livonia and the lands of Eastern Belarus, including Polatsk and Vitsebsk (See Figure 2). Overall, 103,800 square miles of land and 4,530,000 people were incorporated in the empires of Austria, Prussia, and Russia after the first partition of the Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth (Magocsi, 2002).

Figure 2. Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth after the First Partition

Source: Halibutt, Tomekpe, Mareklug, & Dcoetzee Wikimedia Commons, 2005.

    The results of the first partition left the Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth in shambles. The remaining political structure redefined itself and implemented a new constitution. The constitution was ratified in 1791, which moved power from the noble democracy to a new hereditary monarchy. An element in Lithuania that was directed by the Russians revolted against the new constitution and in turn caused an internal conflict. As a result, the Russian government sent military aid and support to the Lithuanians. The new conflict directly propelled the second partition of the Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth (Magocsi, 2002).

To be continued on The Partitions of Poland Part Three…..