The European Crises-Reformation and Revolution Part III
Poland
The Polish-Lithuanian Constitution established a constitutional monarchy, uniting and democratising the nation in an unprecedented fashion. Its constitution would become a model for other nations like France. But not all supported the Constitution. All of Poland's neighbours felt threatened by a strengthened Poland. Prussia broke off their alliance, and a group of reactionary szlachta rose against their king and the reformed Sejm. Decades of stagnation had left Poland weak, and the nation suffered the humiliation of a Second Partition.
Poland was to rise again under Kosciuszko. He was an idealist, driven by Englightenment thought. He was lucky enough to lead Poland into rebellion at the same time that France was at its belligerent revolutonary height. France brought soldiers to Poland, as did the Batavians. They turned the tide against the Prusso-Austro-Russian onslaught, and they were forced to recognise Poland-Lithuania's independence and its new constitution. The war bound Poland and Lithuania as never before, and 1794 is usually thought of as the year of Polish-Lithuanian independence.
Spain
Spain experienced the most radical revolution in Europe. It spread across its whole empire, and shook Europe and the Americas to its core. It ha
Poland
The Polish-Lithuanian Constitution established a constitutional monarchy, uniting and democratising the nation in an unprecedented fashion. Its constitution would become a model for other nations like France. But not all supported the Constitution. All of Poland's neighbours felt threatened by a strengthened Poland. Prussia broke off their alliance, and a group of reactionary szlachta rose against their king and the reformed Sejm. Decades of stagnation had left Poland weak, and the nation suffered the humiliation of a Second Partition.
Poland was to rise again under Kosciuszko. He was an idealist, driven by Englightenment thought. He was lucky enough to lead Poland into rebellion at the same time that France was at its belligerent revolutonary height. France brought soldiers to Poland, as did the Batavians. They turned the tide against the Prusso-Austro-Russian onslaught, and they were forced to recognise Poland-Lithuania's independence and its new constitution. The war bound Poland and Lithuania as never before, and 1794 is usually thought of as the year of Polish-Lithuanian independence.
Spain
Spain experienced the most radical revolution in Europe. It spread across its whole empire, and shook Europe and the Americas to its core. It ha