Confederation (Poland)
Encyclopedia
A konfederacja was an ad hoc association formed by Polish-Lithuanian szlachta
(nobility], clergy, cities, or military forces in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
for the attainment of stated aims. Such "confederations" acted in lieu of state authority or to force their demands upon that authority. Such a "confederation" should not be confused with a political union of territories, the more common meaning of "confederation".
In the late 13th century, confederations of cities appeared; in the mid-14th century, confederations of nobility, directed against the central authorities (1352, 1439). During interregnum
s, confederations (essentially vigilance committees) formed to replace the inactive royal court, protect internal order, and defend the country from external dangers.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, confederations often opposed the king. A confederation not recognized by the king was considered a rokosz
("rebellion"). Frequent "general confederations" were formed, taking in most or all the Palatinates of the Commonwealth. The executive branch of a confederation was headed by a Marshal.
The confederation's supreme authority was a general council (sejm), which made decisions by majority vote. Such a "confederated sejm
" was therefore not subject to disruption by the liberum veto
, unlike the national Sejm, which was paralyzed by the veto during this period. On some occasions, a confederated sejm was formed of the whole membership of the national Sejm, so that the liberum veto would not operate there.
Confederations were proscribed in 1717 and by the Constitution of May 3, 1791
(adopted by the Four-Year Sejm of 1788-1792, itself a confederated sejm). But in practice this prohibition was not observed. The May 3rd Constitution was overthrown in mid-1792, by the Targowica Confederation
of Polish magnates backed by Russia
and eventually joined, under extreme duress, by King Stanisław II August. Ensuing Russian military intervention led (to the Confederates' surprise) to the Second Partition of Poland
in 1793.
Szlachta
The szlachta was a legally privileged noble class with origins in the Kingdom of Poland. It gained considerable institutional privileges during the 1333-1370 reign of Casimir the Great. In 1413, following a series of tentative personal unions between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of...
(nobility], clergy, cities, or military forces in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was a dualistic state of Poland and Lithuania ruled by a common monarch. It was the largest and one of the most populous countries of 16th- and 17th‑century Europe with some and a multi-ethnic population of 11 million at its peak in the early 17th century...
for the attainment of stated aims. Such "confederations" acted in lieu of state authority or to force their demands upon that authority. Such a "confederation" should not be confused with a political union of territories, the more common meaning of "confederation".
In the late 13th century, confederations of cities appeared; in the mid-14th century, confederations of nobility, directed against the central authorities (1352, 1439). During interregnum
Interregnum
An interregnum is a period of discontinuity or "gap" in a government, organization, or social order...
s, confederations (essentially vigilance committees) formed to replace the inactive royal court, protect internal order, and defend the country from external dangers.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, confederations often opposed the king. A confederation not recognized by the king was considered a rokosz
Rokosz
A rokosz originally was a gathering of all the Polish szlachta , not merely of deputies, for a sejm. The term was introduced to the Polish language from Hungary, where analogous gatherings took place at a field called Rákos....
("rebellion"). Frequent "general confederations" were formed, taking in most or all the Palatinates of the Commonwealth. The executive branch of a confederation was headed by a Marshal.
The confederation's supreme authority was a general council (sejm), which made decisions by majority vote. Such a "confederated sejm
Confederated sejm
Confederated sejm was a form of sejm in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 18th century. After 1764, sejms were frequently confederated...
" was therefore not subject to disruption by the liberum veto
Liberum veto
The liberum veto was a parliamentary device in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It allowed any member of the Sejm to force an immediate end to the current session and nullify any legislation that had already been passed at the session by shouting Nie pozwalam! .From the mid-16th to the late 18th...
, unlike the national Sejm, which was paralyzed by the veto during this period. On some occasions, a confederated sejm was formed of the whole membership of the national Sejm, so that the liberum veto would not operate there.
Confederations were proscribed in 1717 and by the Constitution of May 3, 1791
Constitution of May 3, 1791
The Constitution of May 3, 1791 was adopted as a "Government Act" on that date by the Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Historian Norman Davies calls it "the first constitution of its type in Europe"; other scholars also refer to it as the world's second oldest constitution...
(adopted by the Four-Year Sejm of 1788-1792, itself a confederated sejm). But in practice this prohibition was not observed. The May 3rd Constitution was overthrown in mid-1792, by the Targowica Confederation
Targowica Confederation
The Targowica Confederation was a confederation established by Polish and Lithuanian magnates on 27 April 1792, in Saint Petersburg, with the backing of the Russian Empress Catherine II. The confederation opposed the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, which had been adopted by the Great Sejm,...
of Polish magnates backed by Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and eventually joined, under extreme duress, by King Stanisław II August. Ensuing Russian military intervention led (to the Confederates' surprise) to the Second Partition of Poland
Second Partition of Poland
The 1793 Second Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was the second of three partitions that ended the existence of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth by 1795. The second partition occurred in the aftermath of the War in Defense of the Constitution and the Targowica Confederation of 1792...
in 1793.
See also
- Warsaw ConfederationWarsaw ConfederationThe Warsaw Confederation , an important development in the history of Poland and Lithuania that extended religious tolerance to nobility and free persons within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. , is considered the formal beginning of religious freedom in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and...
- General Confederation of the Kingdom of PolandGeneral Confederation of the Kingdom of PolandGeneral Confederation of the Kingdom of Poland – confederation established by emperor Napoleon Bonaparte on the eve of his campaign in Russia....
- Confederated sejmConfederated sejmConfederated sejm was a form of sejm in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 18th century. After 1764, sejms were frequently confederated...
- SejmikSejmikA sejmik was a regional assembly in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and earlier in the Kingdom of Poland. Sejmiks existed until the end of the Commonwealth in 1795 following the partitions of the Commonwealth...
- Nobles' DemocracyNobles' DemocracyNobles' Democracy may refer to* History of Poland * Golden Liberty, the political system of that time in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth...
- RokoszRokoszA rokosz originally was a gathering of all the Polish szlachta , not merely of deputies, for a sejm. The term was introduced to the Polish language from Hungary, where analogous gatherings took place at a field called Rákos....