constitution constitution polish lithuanian adopted great parliament polish lithuanian commonwealth dual monarchy comprising poland lithuania drafted months beginning october formally adopted government act document designed commonwealth political defects system golden freedoms known conferred rights nobility time corrupted politics adoption constitution preceded period gradual introduction reforms beginning election august commonwealth king constitution sought prevailing anarchy fostered country democratic constitutional monarchy introduced elements political equality townspeople nobility placed peasants protection government worst abuses banned parliamentary institutions veto mercy deputy legislation passed commonwealth neighbours reacted hostility adoption constitution broke alliance commonwealth attacked defeated war defence constitution alliance catherine great anti reform polish nobility king principal author eventually document remained force months november second poland ended existence sovereign polish state years constitution seen proof successful internal reform symbol promising eventual restoration poland sovereignty words authors testament country british historian described document constitution type europe called world second oldest codified national constitution constitution background polish traced 13th century government consensus representation established young polish state emergence parliamentary bodies followed 17th century poland legal political tradition characterized parliamentary institutions system checks state power limited idea contractual state embodied texts like concept individual liberties notion monarch owed duties subjects system primarily benefited polish nobility came known nobles democracy end golden age constitution response increasingly situation polish lithuanian commonwealth major european power century earlier largest state continent peak nobles democracy king iii court preacher jesuit condemned weaknesses commonwealth period writers philosophers execution laws reform movement led advocated political reforms son king old behalf entire republic poland free polish peasants oppression struggling reign saw highly destructive wars nobility correctly predicted commonwealth danger partition russia austria failed implement sufficient reforms state machinery increasingly dysfunctional major cause commonwealth downfall veto free veto allowed deputy legislation enacted result deputies foreign powers primarily russian_empire france deputies believed living unprecedented golden age commonwealth government century threat veto establishment immune veto declaring constituted confederation belonged prominently foreign interests 18th century force legislative outcome early 18th century poland lithuania controlled state ensuring reforms weaken privileged status golden freedoms enacted ineffective monarchs elected commonwealth throne early 18th century strong poland improve matters absolute rule practiced native tried govern intimidation use force led series conflicts supporters opponents including polish throne king conflicts took form legal rebellions king permitted golden freedoms including confederation war polish succession sessions reign passed legislation years reign session able pass legislation government near collapse giving rise term polish anarchy country managed provincial assemblies reform attempts era led individuals proved futile early reforms enlightenment greatly influenced certain commonwealth circles reign king august polish magnate deputy deeper understanding polish politics previous monarchs elected throne controlled family party backed russian military forces invited exchange passing favorable russians let enact number reforms including weakening veto ensuring longer applied treasury economic matters comprehensive reform package presented opposition prussia russia polish nobility thwarted ambitious program proposed decide motions majority voting election imposed great political position weak beginning proceeded cautious reforms establishment fiscal military introduction national customs soon abandoned opposition frederick great prussia measures authorized legislative executive improvements inspired king implemented commonwealth viewed reform suspicion neighboring powers content deterioration commonwealth thought democratic power borders reduced easy neighbors intervene directly numbered russia prussia king provoked conflict members king civil rights religious minorities greek orthodox positions guaranteed equal catholic majority worsened considerably catherine frederick declared support liberties october russian troops assembled outside warsaw support conservative king adherents little choice russian demands named unofficially presiding russian ambassador king accepted eternal principles catherine vowed protect time come poland liberties election kings right veto right renounce allegiance raise rebellion king exclusive right hold office land landowners power peasants privileges golden freedoms nobility commonwealth guaranteed cardinal laws cardinal laws rights religious passed personally guaranteed acts legislation time russia formally intervened commonwealth constitutional affairs showed disregard local resistance arranging abduction imprisonment vocal opponents foreign domination recently proclaimed policies polish lithuanian commonwealth legally practically russian_empire nonetheless minor beneficial reforms adopted political rights religious minorities restored need reforms increasingly recognized king august russian intervention encountered opposition february including young son oppose russian influence declared russia catherine formed confederation town bar focused limiting influence foreigners commonwealth affairs pro catholic generally opposed religious tolerance began civil war overthrow king irregular forces overwhelmed russian intervention defeat set scene partition treaty august signed saint_petersburg russia prussia austria treaty polish lithuanian commonwealth territory population km2 million people powers justified annexation citing anarchy commonwealth refusal cooperate neighbors efforts restore order king august yielded april called session deputies attended known partition rest aware king decision refused despite protests deputy treaty later known partition poland ratified successive 18th century commonwealth territory eventually remove poland sovereignty shocked commonwealth inhabitants clear progressive minds commonwealth reform thirty years constitution rising interest progressive constitutional reform partition polish noble sent france ask suggestions new constitution reformed poland submitted recommendations des government laws poland finished considerations government poland partition underway works advocating need reform presenting specific solutions published commonwealth polish lithuanian effective way councils conduct ordinary founder political thoughts civil liberties author lyrics political law polish nation head forge party remarks life jan great era seen crucial giving constitution moral political support new wave reforms supported progressive family king august introduced partition important included establishment ministry education world new schools opened uniform textbooks printed teachers received better education poor students provided scholarships commonwealth military modernized funding create larger standing army agreed economic commercial reforms including intended cover increased military budget previously introduced new executive assembly strong comprising limited legislative powers established giving commonwealth governing body constant session immune veto commissioned chancellor draft new legal code collaborators produced code strengthened royal power officials placed clergy finances state supervision deprived legal code improved situation non nobles townspeople peasants progressive legal code containing elements constitutional reform met opposition native conservative foreign powers adopt adoption opportunity reform occurred great called year began october deputies accordance constitution met dual number newly elected deputies joined earlier established second day body avoid veto concurrent world events appeared russia austria war ottoman_empire russians found simultaneously fighting russo swedish war new alliance polish lithuanian commonwealth prussia provide security russian intervention king august drew closer leaders reform minded passed major reforms years subsequent years brought substantial changes adopted free royal cities act formally incorporated final constitution act addressed number matters related cities expanding townspeople rights including electoral rights comprised representatives nobility clergy supported late organized warsaw black procession demanding political april fearing protests ignored turn violent france long adopted new constitution drafted king contributions king credited writing general provisions giving document final shape august wanted commonwealth constitutional monarchy similar great_britain strong central government based strong monarch wanted strongest branch government wanted gentle revolution carried violence social classes addition nobility proposed reforms opposed conservatives including party threatened violence opponents advocates draft began debate government act days early opposing deputies away easter debate subsequent adoption government act executed quasi coup état recall notices sent known opponents reform pro reform deputies secretly returned early royal guard command king nephew positioned gathered prevent opponents disrupting proceedings convened members half dual number bill read overwhelmingly adopted enthusiasm crowds outside protest submitted day small group deputies matter officially concluded protests constitutional time 18th century constitutional act passed commonwealth involvement foreign powers soon included participants great organised defend reforms enacted promote ones regarded modern style political party poland history response new constitution enthusiastic provinces party enjoyed considerable influence general support middle nobility crucial substantial provincial early supported constitution features polish constitution reflect enlightenment influences particular social contract advocacy separation balance powers branches government advocacy legislature government established aimed ensure accordance article integrity states civil liberty social order shall remain according polish american historian provisions fell french canadian left prussian far equal american constitution king august said new constitution founded principally england united_states_of_america avoiding faults errors adapted possible local particular circumstances country said polish constitution provided constitutional monarchy close english model time article acknowledged roman catholic faith dominant religion guaranteed tolerance freedom religions progressive 16th century placed poland clearly catholic sphere influence article confirmed old privileges nobility stressing nobles equal enjoy personal security right property article iii stipulated earlier free royal cities act april integral constitution personal security polish corpus act extended townspeople including jews townspeople gained right acquire landed property eligible military officers commissions public offices reserved seats seats executive commissions treasury police judiciary membership nobility easier acquire half million commonwealth substantially political power equally distributed little politically conscious active classes jews peasants article placed commonwealth protection national law step country largest oppressed social class low status compared classes eliminated constitution abolish second partition polish government begin abolish article stated power civil society derived people constitution referred country citizens time polish legislation meant include townspeople peasants nobles document individual articles introduced principle popular sovereignty applied nobility townspeople separation powers legislative executive king guardians guardians laws newly established governmental entity judicial branches advanced limiting excessive legal political nobility legislative power defined rested parliament elected appointed senate king met years required national emergency lower chamber comprised deputies provinces royal cities province royal inform legislation intended propose advance deputies time prepare discussions upper chamber comprised sources vary senators bishops governments ministers right vote senate presided king vote break ties king deputies legislative initiative matters known general laws divided constitutional civil criminal institution perpetual taxes required simple majority lower chamber upper specialized resolutions treaties alliance war peace increases national debt majority vote chambers voting jointly needed senate king veto laws passed applicable session overruled article recognized act regional assemblies passed march reducing noble classes law introduced major changes electoral ordinance previously nobles eligible vote facto meant nobles known clients local voted voting right tied property qualification lease land pay taxes closely related somebody eligible vote previously eligible nobles displeasure voting rights restored landowners military service lost rights voting limited males years age eligible voters elected deputies local county elected deputies finally explicitly abolished institutional sources government weakness national anarchy including veto replaced simple majority vote excessive influence stemming previously binding nature instructions deputies declared contrary spirit constitution subversive government destructive society new constitution strengthened powers moving country constitutional monarchy executive power according article article vii hands king council cabinet ministers called guardians laws create interpret laws acts foreign ministry provisional subject approval king presided council composed poland president ministers appointed king minister police minister seal internal affairs minister foreign affairs minister war minister treasury council members included vote crown prince marshal royal council descended similar councils functioned king henry articles recent acts king required respective minister minister required law king demanded minister refused ministers unanimously endorsed objection case king withdraw law press issue taking parliament stipulation king shall nation parallels british constitutional principle king wrong countries respective minister responsible king acts ministers responsible dismiss vote confidence majority houses ministers held court simple majority vote sufficient demand minister face trial king nation commander chief commanding armies institution high ranking military official mentioned king right grant pardon cases treason decisions royal council carried commissions including previously created new military treasury members elected constitution changed government monarchy unique polish variant hereditary monarchy provision intended reduce destructive influences foreign powers royal election royal dynasty die new chosen nation king held throne grace god nation authority derives nation institution preserved august death polish throne hereditary pass provided poland recent kings august provision contingent consent declined offer presented discussed judiciary separated branches government served judges courts instance existed constant session judges elected regional assemblies established provinces based reformed elected deputies judges court precursor modern poland courts established province hear cases municipal courts described law towns complemented system article covered procedures regency taken jointly council guardians headed queen absence article stressed importance education royal children tasked responsibility article constitution article concerned national standing army said army defined defensive force dedicated solely nation defense army increased strength men enhance commonwealth integration security constitution abolished union poland lithuania favor state establishment supported opposed lithuanian deputies compromise received numerous privileges continued existence related acts included declaration assembled estates confirming government act adopted days earlier guarantee nations crown october unity poland single state equal representation state governing bodies strengthened polish lithuanian union keeping federal aspects state intact constitution 3rd translated lithuanian marked significant change upper society way thinking marked efforts modernization state constitution remained work progress provisions government act detailed number laws passed june courts acts guardians laws june national police commission ministry june municipal administration june constitution included provisions amendments dealt extraordinary held years author announced work underway economic constitution rights property securing protection honor manner labor planned basic law mentioned moral constitution likely polish analog united states bill rights french declaration rights man citizen constitution called preparation new civil criminal code tentatively called august code king planned reform improving situation jews aftermath war final constitution remained effect little year overthrown russian armies allied conservative polish nobility polish russian war known war defense constitution wars turkey russia sweden russia having ended furious adoption document believed threatened russian influence poland russia viewed poland facto worst possible news arrived warsaw polish king sovereign reaction russia chief foreign policy authors learned new constitution contacts polish seen poland neighbors evidence revolutionary conspiracy threat absolute prussian statesman expressed fears european conservatives poles given coup prussian monarchy voting constitution strong commonwealth likely demand return lands prussia acquired partition opposed constitution draft start asked intervene restore privileges cardinal laws abolished new statute end formed confederation proclamation prepared january criticized constitution contributing democratic ideas following fatal examples set paris asserted parliament broken fundamental laws swept away liberties gentry turned revolution conspiracy declared intention overcome revolution turn distinguished fair empress neighboring friend ally respects nation need offers helping hand wrote russian armies entered poland lithuania starting polish russian war voted increase army commonwealth men owing insufficient time funds number achieved soon abandoned goal polish king field man army recruits army command defeated fought draw russians occasions end defeat inevitable despite polish requests prussia refused honor alliance obligations august attempts negotiations russia proved futile lines kept shifting west july warsaw threatened siege russians king came believe victory impossible numerically superior enemy surrender alternative total defeat having received assurances russian ambassador territorial changes occur guardians laws cabinet voted surrender july king august joined empress demanded reform leaders believing cause lost went self imposed exile hoped august able negotiate acceptable compromise russians past king saved commonwealth governed country short surprise intimidated russian troops enacted second partition poland november concluded constitution second partition russia took square kilometres prussia took square kilometres commonwealth comprised square kilometres left commonwealth merely small state puppet king russian garrisons keeping eye reduced polish army year half polish patriots waited planning insurrection march declared come known issued granting freedom peasants ownership land fought insurrection revolutionary administered summary justice deemed commonwealth initial victories battle april capture warsaw april april uprising crushed forces russia austria prussia joined military intervention historians consider uprising defeat conclusion face superiority numbers resources invading powers defeat forces led final partition commonwealth legacy historical significance constitution criticized going far radical remained force months weeks influence case limited generations memory constitution recognized political scientists progressive document time helped alive polish aspirations independent society continued inform efforts authors descendants polish constitutional scholar stated century later miracle constitution save state save nation poland viewed national symbol culmination enlightenment polish history culture words authors testament country anniversary adoption observed poland important civil holiday poland regained independence constitution milestone history law rise democracy irish statesman described benefit received nation time earned place greatest kings history follow ratification united_states_constitution poland united_states geographically distant displayed similarities approaches design political systems constitution called second constitution world history american expert constitutional law called world second national constitution american journalist wrote europe codified national constitution second oldest world british historian calls constitution type europe great subject large body works polish scholars starting cited 19th century works continued 20th century document official government act government referred political system commonwealth term constitution polish denoted legislation character passed holiday declared polish holiday constitution day holiday banned poland reinstated april second polish republic holiday officially introduced newly independent country outlawed world war nazi soviet celebrated polish cities spontaneous manner anti communist demonstrations polish communists competed attention communist endorsed labor day celebrations polish led removal list national holidays frequent occasion anti government anti communist protests restored official polish holiday april fall communism declared lithuanian national holiday polish american pride celebrated date instance chicago poles marked festivities annual polish constitution day parade
Constitution of May 3, 1791