The Targowica Accord
An in-depth examination of the controversial pact that undermined the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and led to its partitions.
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The Confederation Defined
Genesis of the Pact
The Targowica Confederation was a confederation established by Polish and Lithuanian magnates on April 27, 1792, in Saint Petersburg. It was formed with the explicit backing of the Russian Empress Catherine II.
Its primary objective was to oppose the progressive Constitution of 3 May 1791, which aimed to reform the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Confederation sought to restore the traditional privileges of the nobility, which the constitution had sought to curtail.
The War and its Aftermath
Following its formation, the Targowica Confederation engaged in the Polish-Russian War of 1792. Their forces, supported by Russian armies, ultimately defeated the troops loyal to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and King Stanisław August Poniatowski.
This victory had catastrophic consequences for the Commonwealth. It led directly to the Second Partition of Poland in 1793 and set the stage for the Third Partition in 1795, which resulted in the complete dissolution of the state.
The Road to Partition
Opposition to Reform
The Constitution of 3 May 1791 represented a significant attempt to modernize and strengthen the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It introduced a hereditary monarchy, abolished the liberum veto, and granted more rights to townspeople.
However, a powerful faction of conservative magnates, fearing the loss of their extensive privileges and influence, viewed these reforms as a threat. They collaborated with Russia, a neighboring power that sought to maintain the Commonwealth's weakness, to establish the Targowica Confederation. The founding act of the confederation was notably drafted by the Russian general Vasili Stepanovich Popov.
Invasion and Defeat
In May 1792, two Russian armies invaded the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth without a formal declaration of war, ostensibly to support the Confederation's cause. The invasion was swift and decisive.
Despite some valiant efforts by Polish forces, the Commonwealth army was overwhelmed. Faced with overwhelming military pressure and internal division, King Stanisław August Poniatowski was compelled to join the Targowica Confederation and subsequently annul the Constitution of 3 May 1791. This capitulation directly paved the way for the territorial losses in the subsequent partitions.
Architects of the Accord
Stanisław Szczęsny Potocki
As the Marshal (head) of the Confederation, Potocki was a central figure. He was sentenced to death in absentia during the Kościuszko Uprising but was never apprehended. Later, he was rewarded by Catherine the Great with Russian honors, including the Order of Alexander Nevsky and the rank of General-en-chef, and declared himself a "Russian forever."
Józef Ankwicz
An ambassador and prominent figure, Ankwicz was convicted of treason for his role in the Confederation. He was sentenced to hanging on May 9, 1794, during the Kościuszko Uprising.
Franciszek Ksawery Branicki
Another key magnate involved in the Confederation. Branicki was also sentenced to death during the Kościuszko Uprising but managed to emigrate to Russia, where he died in 1819.
Józef Kazimierz Kossakowski
A Bishop who lent his significant influence to the Confederation. He was convicted of treason and hanged in Warsaw on May 9, 1794, during the Kościuszko Uprising.
Szymon Marcin Kossakowski
A hetman who joined the Confederation. He was hanged in Vilnius on April 25, 1794, during the Kościuszko Uprising, a stark consequence of his allegiance.
Seweryn Rzewuski
A prominent magnate who supported the Confederation. He was sentenced in absentia to death and confiscation of his estates by the Supreme Criminal Court. His execution in effigy occurred on September 29, 1794.
A Stain on History
The Meaning of Treason
The actions of the Targowica Confederation left an indelible mark on Polish national consciousness. The term targowiczanin, referring to a member or supporter of the Confederation, became a potent synonym for a traitor.
Similarly, the name Targowica itself evolved into a symbol of treason and betrayal. These meanings have persisted in the Polish language and historical discourse up to the present day, serving as a cautionary tale about internal divisions and foreign interference.
Paving the Way for Partitions
The ultimate legacy of the Targowica Confederation lies in its direct contribution to the demise of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. By actively undermining the state's attempts at reform and inviting foreign intervention, the Confederation provided the pretext for Russia and Prussia to enact the Second Partition of Poland in 1793.
This partition significantly reduced the Commonwealth's territory and sovereignty. The instability and weakness exacerbated by the Confederation's actions ultimately led to the Third Partition in 1795, erasing Poland from the map of Europe for 123 years.
Voices from the Era
From the Establishing Act
The founding document of the Targowica Confederation proclaimed:
"The desires of Her Highness Empress of Russia [Catherine the Great], ally of Rzeczpospolita [the Commonwealth], are and were no other than by using her armies to return to Rzeczpospolita and Poles the freedoms, and especially security and happiness to all citizens."
This statement framed the Russian intervention as a benevolent act to restore Polish liberties, masking its true geopolitical aims.
Stanisław Szczęsny Potocki's Justification
Stanisław Szczęsny Potocki, a leading figure of the Confederation, expressed his conviction:
"Each true Pole, not blinded by the Prussian and royalist cabal, is convinced, that our Fatherland can only be saved by Russia, otherwise our nation will be enslaved."
This sentiment highlights the deep divisions within the Polish nobility and the reliance of some factions on foreign powers.
Potocki's Post-Partition Reflection
Following the final partition and the dissolution of the Commonwealth, Potocki reportedly stated:
"About past Poland and Poles [I don't want to talk anymore]. Gone is this country, and this name, as many others have perished in the world's history. I am now a Russian forever."
This quote underscores the profound and tragic consequences of the Confederation's actions on the fate of Poland.
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References
References
- Davies, ibid., Google Prin, p. 540
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