Poland, First Partition of

The First Partition of Poland or First Partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth takes place in 1772 as the first of three partitions that end the existence of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth by 1795.

Growth in the Russian Empire's power, threatening the Kingdom of Prussia and the Habsburg Austrian Empire, is the primary motive behind this first partition.

Frederick the Great engineers the partition to prevent Austria, jealous of Russian successes against Turkey, from going to war.

The weakened Commonwealth's land, including that already controlled by Russia, is apportioned among its more powerful neighbors—Austria, Russia and Prussia—so as to restore the regional balance of power in Eastern Europe among those three countries.

With Poland unable to effectively defend itself, and with foreign troops already inside the country, the Polish parliament (Sejm) ratifies the partition in 1773 during the Partition Sejm convened by the three powers.

No related events match the current filters.