Really, when was this? I have never heard this before. Would he win the election? Id imagine a lot of people would be pissed at Russia at the partiton and pick another member of the Szlachta.Catherine had plans to replace Poniatowski with Potiomkin when Poniatowski proved to not be predictable and loyal enough.
I understand but I would think there would be a significant number of Szlachta who would field a candidate against Catherine, maybe even supported by austria to check Catherine’s power.It doesn't matter whom people want but whom Catherine wants. And she would want someone loyal to her. Potiomkin could suddenly discover, that he is of Polish ancestry, then convert to Catholicism and be 'elected'.
They'll be crushed. Austria and Prussia agreed for one Catherine's lover on PLC throne, second one would not make much difference.I understand but I would think there would be a significant number of Szlachta who would field a candidate against Catherine, maybe even supported by austria to check Catherine’s power.
If that’s the case then what would be different about Polish history. Would Potemkin marry?They'll be crushed. Austria and Prussia agreed for one Catherine's lover on PLC throne, second one would not make much difference.
Potemkin would not attempt to make alliance with Prussia against Russia, like SAP did, and he'll not make something like 3rd May Constitution. He'll be king from Catherine's expectations, her loyal follower.If that’s the case then what would be different about Polish history. Would Potemkin marry?
Potemkin would not attempt to make alliance with Prussia against Russia, like SAP did, and he'll not make something like 3rd May Constitution. He'll be king from Catherine's expectations, her loyal follower.
Perhaps.And she'd cockblock him the same as she did to Stanczyk?
Perhaps.
Catherine surely would not expect him to start his own dynasty.
Although I still wonder if 1772 is too early for Potemkin on the throne, he achieved his position in 1774. @alexmilman would know the answer-what do you think about possibility of King Potemkin?
Potemkin himself was interested in getting Polish crown late in his life (he had large estates in Podolya). So if he by chance had ambitions to became king, would Catherine refuse him?You are clearly overestimating my knowledge: I never heard about the schema.
Of course, it would not be a big deal to find Potemkin's Polish roots: his family was from Smolensk and by that time the local nobility still was considering itself "szhliahta". Not sure that this would be even necessary to become a candidate: country was ruled for a while by the Saxon dynasty (not to mention Vasas).
OTOH, Potemkin was a very useful and capable (if wasteful) statesman so why would Catherine decide to get rid of him? In 1774 he just started the huge project of developing "Novorossia" and, as far as I can tell, there was no alternative candidate. Surely, there were plenty of the PLC magnates ready to obey her orders while, even with the discovered Polish ancestry, Potemkin would remain a relative nobody as far as the pedigree was involved and his "assignment" to the throne would be a clear slap on the collective face of the Polish nobility.
But, strictly based on his personal style, he could become a popular figure: he was generous, charming (when he wanted), very good in staging the big celebrations, etc. Of course, there were moody periods as well and he could be very harsh and openly jealous and vengeful.
Potemkin himself was interested in getting Polish crown late in his life (he had large estates in Podolya). So if he by chance had ambitions to became king, would Catherine refuse him?