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May 3, 1791- Proclamation of the Polish-Lithuanian constitution.

December 1791 (POD) - Empress Catherine II of Russia dies after falling from a horse. That sudden death causes civil disorder in Russia and new emperor Paul I abandons the plans of intervention in Poland.

1793 - After excecution of Louis XVI, Poland joins the anti-French coalition, in enchange of neigbouring powers recognising the May Constitution and abandoning (unoficial) patrition plans. This moves proves to be highly controversial among the public opinion, however. Riots against the king Stanislaw Augustus break out in Warsaw. General Tadeusz Kosciuszko resign his comission in protest and eventually migrate to the USA.

1793-1796 Polish contribution to the Revolutionary wars goes largely unnoticed, and ends in humilation as the commander of the Polish Expeditionary Corps, Prince Józef Poniatowski, is taken prisoner by General Napoleon Bonaparte in Italy. The two becomes friends, however.

February 12, 1798. King Stanislaw Augustus dies at the age of 66. In accordande with the Article 7 of the May Constitution, Frederick Augustus III of Saxony becomes his succesor. He takes the regnal name of Augustus V.

April 1798 - Group of reactionary nobles led by Stanislaw Szczesny Potocki, Franciszek Ksawery Branicki and Seweryn Rzewuski declare Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich of Russia King during "election" in the town of Targowica.

May-June 1798 - Rebel forces are defeated by Prince Józef Poniatowski in the Battle of Kamieniec Podolski and by Jan Henryk Dąbrowski in Battle of Minsk.

September 1798- Alarmed by the Napoleon's invasion of Egypt, representatives of Russia and Poland travel to Prussia to sign the Tilsit Settlement . Constantine Pavlovich reanounce rights to Polish throne in enchange of Duchy of Courland-Semigales. Poland pays reparatation to the former Courland's ruler Peter von Biron, and agrees to join the Second Coalition.

1806-1807 - Saxony fights against France in the war of the Fourth Coalition, but Polish Sejm famously refuse the demand from King Augustus V to join.

1809 - War of the Fight Coaliton. Poland is allied with France this time. Austrians invade but are defeated in the Battle of Raclawice on April 19, 1809.

October 14, 1809 - Treaty of Schonbrunn. Poland regains Galicia from Austria.


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