2RHPZ
08-17-2004, 03:46 PM
Dear friends,
I have not enough time to be on Net, just a minute to lurk. Now I want to post one story as a reward for Mack Pl (you know for what ;) ) I´m looking forward to be fully back, I´m afraid it takes a while yet ...
The Partitions of Poland: 1772 - 1795.
Taking advantage of a now weakened Poland, Prussia, Russia and Austria agreed to annex parts of the country in 1772. The Commonwealth lost 733,000 sq.km (23%) of her former territory and 4,500,000 of her population; Prussia took the smallest, but economically best, area; Austria took the most heavily populated areas, whilst Russia took the largest, but least important. To give the crime some legality the Sejm was forced to ratify the partition in 1773, despite the resistance of some Deputies, led by Tadeusz Rejtan.
Despite the disaster of this first partition, Poland underwent a national revival in 1773, thanks to the efforts of Poniatowski. The first step was the creation of the "Komisija Edukacji Narodowej" ("Committee of National Education"), the first Ministry of Education in Europe. Hundreds of schools were founded and the standard of education was raised. Writers, poets, artists and scholars were encouraged by the King and the ideas of the Enlightenment were taking hold. This was the period of Adam Naruszewicz, the historian, Ignacy Krasicki, satirist and poet, Wojciech Boguslawski, "father" of the Polish theatre, and Franciszek Karpinski, whose hymns are still sung in Poland to this day.
Taking advantage of Russia's involvement in a war against Turkey, the King launched a reform programme (1788-1792) and the task was carried out by the "Four-Year" or "Great Sejm" which established a new Constitution; the Constitution of the Third of May. Established in 1791, under this Constitution the "liberum Veto" was abolished and a majority rule introduced, and personal freedoms guaranteed to all the people. The Constitution was hailed in the United States, England and France, but was seen as a threat to the absolute rulers of Prussia, Austria and, especially, Russia. So, in 1792, at Russia's instigation a handful of magnates led by Ksawery Branicki, Szczesny Potocki and Seweryn Rzewuski betrayed the Commonwealth and formed the Confederation of Targowica against the new Constitution and then "asked" for help. Russian troops crossed the borders and war broke out. The King's nephew, Joseph Poniatowski and Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a veteran of the American War of Independence, put up heroic resistance but all hope faded away when the Prussians joined in, attacking the Polish armies in the rear. Many patriots were forced to flee.
In 1793 Russia and Prussia signed the Second Partition Treaty, seizing more than half the country and about four million more of the population. The last Sejm of the Commonwealth, which met at Grodno, was forced to legalise the partition and abolish most of the reforms of the "Great Sejm".
Popular discontent led to Insurrection, proclaimed by Kosciuszko (as Supreme Commander) in Krakow's Market Place on March 24th, 1794. Thousands of Poles rallied to the standard followed by a victory at Raclawice in which peasant scythbearers played an important role. The people of Warsaw, led by the cobbler Jan Kilinski, rose against and defeated the strongest Russian regiment in Poland. Berek Joselewicz commanded the first Jewish military formation since Biblical times. In May 7th, Kosciuszko issued the Polaniec Manifesto which abolished serfdom.
Eventually, in October, the combined strength of Russia and Prussia defeated Kosciuszko's forces at Maciejowice (where he was captured) and, in November, Warsaw was taken by the Russians who slaughtered the population of the suburb, Praga, including women and children.
Then, in 1795, the third partition wiped what was left of Poland off the map. The King was forced to abdicate and taken to St. Petersburg (where he died in 1798). Many captured Poles were sent to Siberia but thousands more escaped to Italy where, in 1797, they formed a Polish Legion, led by General Henryk Dabrowski, fighting for Napoleon Bonaparte against Austria. The Poles hoped that by fighting on the French side against the Powers that had partitioned Poland they could free their country. Dabrowski's Legion wore traditional uniforms which bore the motto: "All free men are Brothers!" They marched to a song written by Jozef Wybicki:
"Jeszcze Polska nie zginiela bugy my zyjemy,
Co nam obca przemoc wziela, szabla odbierzemy.
Marsz marsz, Dabrowski, z ziemi Wloskiej do Polski!
Za twoim przewodem zlaczym sie z narodem."
"Poland is not dead whilst we live,
What others took by force, with the sword will be taken back.
March march, Dabrowski, from Italy's soil to Poland!
Through your leadership we will reunite the nation."
When, in the twentieth century, Poland became and independent nation once more this marching song became the National Anthem.
1) Polish Legion in Italy has been created in the January of 1797 under command of gen. J.H. Dabrowski, in support and based in Lombardia (later Cyzalpia). It counted around 7000 men, those who left Poland after partitions, those who were forced to serve in Austrian army, but were made POW by French, and finally those who deserted from Austrian army (later also Russian etc.).
2) That`s also the time when J. Wybicki created song which is now Polish national theme. Its words mention Bonaparte, Polish Legion in Italy, and how they will follow him all the way to Poland to free it. These were Polish expectations although Napoleon never gave a clear promise it will happen (and it was obvious since he wasn`t a dictator yet).
3) In 1799 Legion had severe looses in Italy campaing against Russia-Austrian coalition. Since the situation was pretty bad also for France, directoriat finally agreed to incorporate Poles into French army. Reinforced Legion raised to 9000 men. Napoleon took the full power overthrowing the last republican government and soon overthrow coalition forces from Italy. Legion ("Naddunajska Legia") under gen. Kniaziewicz marched to the Vienna, but had been halted. Bonaparte needed peace, and he agreed to not support Poles in their claims for freedom, in exchange Austria agreed to not to support French royalists (treaty in Luneville 1801).
4) Legions grew uneasy, soldiers didn`t like the idea that they are being send to Italy to protect French interests then, as they wanted to march forward to Poland. Gen. Kniaziewicz dismissed himself, togheter with several officers, gen. Dabrowski was considering a complete departure of the Legion from French command. He wanted to go to Greece to help Greeks fight for freedom. Becouse of that uneasyness, Bonaparte decided to partition Legion. Large part, 6000 men from the Legion had been sent to San Domingo (Haiti) from where only 300 came back, rest died of diseases, harsh climate, or stayed there to live. Around 5000 men stayed with gen. Dabrowski in Lombardia (and Neapol, under Bonaparte`s brother) and took part in the campaings of that time.
5) In 1806 remains of the Legion took part if battles against Prussia and were later transfered to the forces of Grand Duchy of Warsaw under gen. J. Poniatowski (later French marshall). In 10 years time, around 35.000 men served in the Legion in total. Big setback was the change in Kosciuszko`s support. He lost his trust to Bonaparte, he didn`t accept the fact that Napoleon overthrow republic authorities, while the new and fresh democratic ideals were what he fought for. That had to lead to some troubles as Legion considered Kosciuszko its mentor and leader.
For final word. Sure, after 1806, or even a year or two earlier, Napoleon had every reason to make Polish forces bigger, they were finally marching towards Poland and he could be sure they`ll serve him eagerly and faithfully, as the never written promise and the main reason why Poles joined France, was the attempt to free their country and reestabilish it and it finally became true. But before that, in 1802, Bonaparte couldn`t let a mutiny to outbreak in his ranks. Poles didn`t want to wait, so he had to force them, but not by somekind of threat, that would surely lead to worse situation, he just gave them a job and to weaken their temper, spreaded around the world. Of course, I aswell doubt that Bonaparte ever wanted Kingdom of Poland as a fully independent country. In this case, Duchy was the golden middle as it gave Poles a bit of independence, but didn`t yet make them free of his fluency. In 1812 Duchy parliment decided to raise army of 100.000 men for the so called "second polish war" against Russia. I have no idea how many did they send in the end, most likely the number was pretty close to the estimated, but in any case 70% of them died in that campaing, especially that Polish forces moved in the rear protecting the retreat. If you ask me, Poniatowski shouldn`t follow Napoleon to the Moscow, with well trained and equipped men, army of 100.000 togheter with well experienced officers, Duchy could defend itself for years.
Yes, it was somehow naive to believe in Bonaparte intentions of freedom for everyone, but he was treated as a someone close to God, and not only by Poles.
I have not enough time to be on Net, just a minute to lurk. Now I want to post one story as a reward for Mack Pl (you know for what ;) ) I´m looking forward to be fully back, I´m afraid it takes a while yet ...
The Partitions of Poland: 1772 - 1795.
Taking advantage of a now weakened Poland, Prussia, Russia and Austria agreed to annex parts of the country in 1772. The Commonwealth lost 733,000 sq.km (23%) of her former territory and 4,500,000 of her population; Prussia took the smallest, but economically best, area; Austria took the most heavily populated areas, whilst Russia took the largest, but least important. To give the crime some legality the Sejm was forced to ratify the partition in 1773, despite the resistance of some Deputies, led by Tadeusz Rejtan.
Despite the disaster of this first partition, Poland underwent a national revival in 1773, thanks to the efforts of Poniatowski. The first step was the creation of the "Komisija Edukacji Narodowej" ("Committee of National Education"), the first Ministry of Education in Europe. Hundreds of schools were founded and the standard of education was raised. Writers, poets, artists and scholars were encouraged by the King and the ideas of the Enlightenment were taking hold. This was the period of Adam Naruszewicz, the historian, Ignacy Krasicki, satirist and poet, Wojciech Boguslawski, "father" of the Polish theatre, and Franciszek Karpinski, whose hymns are still sung in Poland to this day.
Taking advantage of Russia's involvement in a war against Turkey, the King launched a reform programme (1788-1792) and the task was carried out by the "Four-Year" or "Great Sejm" which established a new Constitution; the Constitution of the Third of May. Established in 1791, under this Constitution the "liberum Veto" was abolished and a majority rule introduced, and personal freedoms guaranteed to all the people. The Constitution was hailed in the United States, England and France, but was seen as a threat to the absolute rulers of Prussia, Austria and, especially, Russia. So, in 1792, at Russia's instigation a handful of magnates led by Ksawery Branicki, Szczesny Potocki and Seweryn Rzewuski betrayed the Commonwealth and formed the Confederation of Targowica against the new Constitution and then "asked" for help. Russian troops crossed the borders and war broke out. The King's nephew, Joseph Poniatowski and Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a veteran of the American War of Independence, put up heroic resistance but all hope faded away when the Prussians joined in, attacking the Polish armies in the rear. Many patriots were forced to flee.
In 1793 Russia and Prussia signed the Second Partition Treaty, seizing more than half the country and about four million more of the population. The last Sejm of the Commonwealth, which met at Grodno, was forced to legalise the partition and abolish most of the reforms of the "Great Sejm".
Popular discontent led to Insurrection, proclaimed by Kosciuszko (as Supreme Commander) in Krakow's Market Place on March 24th, 1794. Thousands of Poles rallied to the standard followed by a victory at Raclawice in which peasant scythbearers played an important role. The people of Warsaw, led by the cobbler Jan Kilinski, rose against and defeated the strongest Russian regiment in Poland. Berek Joselewicz commanded the first Jewish military formation since Biblical times. In May 7th, Kosciuszko issued the Polaniec Manifesto which abolished serfdom.
Eventually, in October, the combined strength of Russia and Prussia defeated Kosciuszko's forces at Maciejowice (where he was captured) and, in November, Warsaw was taken by the Russians who slaughtered the population of the suburb, Praga, including women and children.
Then, in 1795, the third partition wiped what was left of Poland off the map. The King was forced to abdicate and taken to St. Petersburg (where he died in 1798). Many captured Poles were sent to Siberia but thousands more escaped to Italy where, in 1797, they formed a Polish Legion, led by General Henryk Dabrowski, fighting for Napoleon Bonaparte against Austria. The Poles hoped that by fighting on the French side against the Powers that had partitioned Poland they could free their country. Dabrowski's Legion wore traditional uniforms which bore the motto: "All free men are Brothers!" They marched to a song written by Jozef Wybicki:
"Jeszcze Polska nie zginiela bugy my zyjemy,
Co nam obca przemoc wziela, szabla odbierzemy.
Marsz marsz, Dabrowski, z ziemi Wloskiej do Polski!
Za twoim przewodem zlaczym sie z narodem."
"Poland is not dead whilst we live,
What others took by force, with the sword will be taken back.
March march, Dabrowski, from Italy's soil to Poland!
Through your leadership we will reunite the nation."
When, in the twentieth century, Poland became and independent nation once more this marching song became the National Anthem.
1) Polish Legion in Italy has been created in the January of 1797 under command of gen. J.H. Dabrowski, in support and based in Lombardia (later Cyzalpia). It counted around 7000 men, those who left Poland after partitions, those who were forced to serve in Austrian army, but were made POW by French, and finally those who deserted from Austrian army (later also Russian etc.).
2) That`s also the time when J. Wybicki created song which is now Polish national theme. Its words mention Bonaparte, Polish Legion in Italy, and how they will follow him all the way to Poland to free it. These were Polish expectations although Napoleon never gave a clear promise it will happen (and it was obvious since he wasn`t a dictator yet).
3) In 1799 Legion had severe looses in Italy campaing against Russia-Austrian coalition. Since the situation was pretty bad also for France, directoriat finally agreed to incorporate Poles into French army. Reinforced Legion raised to 9000 men. Napoleon took the full power overthrowing the last republican government and soon overthrow coalition forces from Italy. Legion ("Naddunajska Legia") under gen. Kniaziewicz marched to the Vienna, but had been halted. Bonaparte needed peace, and he agreed to not support Poles in their claims for freedom, in exchange Austria agreed to not to support French royalists (treaty in Luneville 1801).
4) Legions grew uneasy, soldiers didn`t like the idea that they are being send to Italy to protect French interests then, as they wanted to march forward to Poland. Gen. Kniaziewicz dismissed himself, togheter with several officers, gen. Dabrowski was considering a complete departure of the Legion from French command. He wanted to go to Greece to help Greeks fight for freedom. Becouse of that uneasyness, Bonaparte decided to partition Legion. Large part, 6000 men from the Legion had been sent to San Domingo (Haiti) from where only 300 came back, rest died of diseases, harsh climate, or stayed there to live. Around 5000 men stayed with gen. Dabrowski in Lombardia (and Neapol, under Bonaparte`s brother) and took part in the campaings of that time.
5) In 1806 remains of the Legion took part if battles against Prussia and were later transfered to the forces of Grand Duchy of Warsaw under gen. J. Poniatowski (later French marshall). In 10 years time, around 35.000 men served in the Legion in total. Big setback was the change in Kosciuszko`s support. He lost his trust to Bonaparte, he didn`t accept the fact that Napoleon overthrow republic authorities, while the new and fresh democratic ideals were what he fought for. That had to lead to some troubles as Legion considered Kosciuszko its mentor and leader.
For final word. Sure, after 1806, or even a year or two earlier, Napoleon had every reason to make Polish forces bigger, they were finally marching towards Poland and he could be sure they`ll serve him eagerly and faithfully, as the never written promise and the main reason why Poles joined France, was the attempt to free their country and reestabilish it and it finally became true. But before that, in 1802, Bonaparte couldn`t let a mutiny to outbreak in his ranks. Poles didn`t want to wait, so he had to force them, but not by somekind of threat, that would surely lead to worse situation, he just gave them a job and to weaken their temper, spreaded around the world. Of course, I aswell doubt that Bonaparte ever wanted Kingdom of Poland as a fully independent country. In this case, Duchy was the golden middle as it gave Poles a bit of independence, but didn`t yet make them free of his fluency. In 1812 Duchy parliment decided to raise army of 100.000 men for the so called "second polish war" against Russia. I have no idea how many did they send in the end, most likely the number was pretty close to the estimated, but in any case 70% of them died in that campaing, especially that Polish forces moved in the rear protecting the retreat. If you ask me, Poniatowski shouldn`t follow Napoleon to the Moscow, with well trained and equipped men, army of 100.000 togheter with well experienced officers, Duchy could defend itself for years.
Yes, it was somehow naive to believe in Bonaparte intentions of freedom for everyone, but he was treated as a someone close to God, and not only by Poles.