Partitions of Poland

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Alegoria_Umarlej_Polski

Polish-Lithuanian_Commonwealth_1773-1789

Jan_Matejko_-_Upadek_Polski_(Reytan)

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== Partitions of Poland ==

The Partitions of Poland were a series of three territorial divisions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth that took place at the end of the 18th century and resulted in the elimination of sovereign Poland and Lithuania for 123 years. The partitions were conducted by the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Habsburg Monarchy (later known as the Austrian Empire).

First Partition (1772)[edit | edit source]

The First Partition of Poland occurred in 1772. The Russian Empire, under Catherine the Great, the Kingdom of Prussia, led by Frederick the Great, and the Habsburg Monarchy, ruled by Maria Theresa, agreed to divide the Commonwealth's territories among themselves. This partition was justified by the three powers as a means to restore order in the Commonwealth, which was seen as weak and ineffective.

Second Partition (1793)[edit | edit source]

The Second Partition took place in 1793. Following the War of the Bar Confederation and the Polish–Russian War of 1792, the Russian Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia agreed to a further division of Polish territories. The Sejm (Polish parliament) was coerced into ratifying the partition under the Grodno Sejm.

Third Partition (1795)[edit | edit source]

The Third Partition occurred in 1795, following the Kościuszko Uprising, a national insurrection led by Tadeusz Kościuszko. This final partition resulted in the complete dissolution of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. The remaining territories were divided among the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Austrian Empire, effectively erasing Poland and Lithuania from the map of Europe.

Impact and Aftermath[edit | edit source]

The partitions had a profound impact on the Polish and Lithuanian people, leading to a loss of sovereignty and national identity. The territories were subjected to the policies of the partitioning powers, which included efforts to suppress Polish culture and language. Despite this, the spirit of Polish nationalism persisted, leading to several uprisings and eventually the re-establishment of Poland as an independent nation in 1918, following World War I.