IV. The Early Modern Period, 1500–1800 > B. Early Modern Europe, 1479–1815 > 5. National Patterns, 1648–1815 > i. Poland > 1734, June 2
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1734, June 2
 
Capitulation of Danzig; Stanislas fled to Prussia. The war was ended by the Treaty of Vienna (Oct. 5, 1735, ratified 1738), which assured the victory of the Russian-Austrian policy in Poland.  1
 
1734–63
 
AUGUSTUS III, king. He spent a little time in Poland and did little to prevent Russian encroachment, especially during the Seven Years' War. Growing agitation for reform in Poland after 1740; two parties, led by the Potocki and Czartoryski families. The former looked to France for support and aimed at the establishment of an aristocratic constitution; the latter, relying on Russian support, envisaged strengthening of the royal power, abolition of the liberum veto, and so on. However, most reforms were private rather than public.  2
 
1740
 
The Collegium Nobilium founded by the educator Stanislaw Konarski.  3
 
1740s
 
Michal Ogiski built canals.  4
 
1748
 
Public library opened in Lunéville. The library was plundered by the Russians in 1795 and sent to St. Petersburg.  5
 
1760ff
 
Andrezej Zamoysky abolished serfdom on his estates.  6
 
1764
 
The Sejm created a Commission of Finance to develop a modern customs system. Prussia responded by creating a fortress at Marienwerder to terrorize Polish trade.  7
 
1766–68
 
Eastern Orthodox Catholics and Protestants granted equal rights with Roman Catholics at the insistence of Russia and Prussia. This raised a storm of protest in Poland and led (1768) to the formation of the Confederation of Bar, an anti-Russian association that soon enjoyed the active support of France.  8
 
1772, Aug. 5
 
THE FIRST PARTITION OF POLAND. Poland lost about a third of its territory and about half of its inhabitants (See 1772, Aug. 5).  9
 
1773
 
The Polish Diet, forced to accept the partition, began to effect reforms (council of state, divided into five ministries, to govern when the diet was not in session).  10
 
1775
 
Land possession made a requirement for all new nobles. Before this, nobility had been ascribed to one's role in society rather than to economic position.  11
 
1776
 
Royal decree ended witch hunts.  12
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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