First Partition Partitions of Poland

polish–lithuanian commonwealth after first partition protectorate of russian empire 1773–1789

in february 1772, agreement of partition signed in vienna. in august, russian, prussian , austrian troops simultaneously invaded commonwealth , occupied provinces agreed upon among themselves. on august 5, 1772, occupation manifesto issued, consternation of country exhausted endeavors of confederation of bar offer successful resistance; nevertheless, several battles , sieges took place, commonwealth troops refused lay down arms (most notably, in tyniec, częstochowa , kraków).

the partition treaty ratified signatories on september 22, 1772. frederick ii of prussia elated success; prussia took of royal prussia (without danzig) stood between possessions in kingdom of prussia , margraviate of brandenburg, ermland (warmia), northern areas of greater poland along noteć river (the netze district), , parts of kuyavia (but not city of toruń). despite token criticism of partition austrian empress maria theresa, austrian statesman wenzel anton, prince of kaunitz-rietberg, proud of wresting large share did, rich salt mines of bochnia , wieliczka. austria fell zator , auschwitz (oświęcim), part of lesser poland embracing parts of counties of kraków , sandomir , whole of galicia, less city of kraków. catherine of russia satisfied. diplomatic document russia came possession of section of livonia had remained in commonwealth control, , of belarus embracing counties of vitebsk, polotsk , mstislavl.

rejtan @ sejm 1773, oil on canvas jan matejko, 1866, 282 cm × 487 cm (111 in × 192 in), royal castle in warsaw.

by partition, polish–lithuanian commonwealth lost 30% of territory , half of population (four million people), of large portion had not been ethnically polish. seizing northwestern poland, prussia instantly gained control on 80% of commonwealth s total foreign trade. through levying enormous customs duties, prussia accelerated collapse of commonwealth.

after having occupied respective territories, 3 partitioning powers demanded king stanisław , sejm approve action. when no forthcoming , armies of combined nations occupied warsaw compel force of arms calling of assembly, no alternative chosen save passive submission will. so-called partition sejm, russian military forces threatening opposition, on september 18, 1773, signed treaty of cession, renouncing claims of commonwealth occupied territories.