The Polish Constitution of May 3: Europe's First Modern Charter

Lucas and Luna explore the dramatic story of the Constitution of May 3, 1791, a landmark document that sought to reform the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth before it was too late. They discuss the political genius of Stanisław August Poniatowski, the progressive reforms of the Great Sejm, and the radical ideas of Hugo Kołłątaj and the Patriotic Party. The episode delves into the constitution's revolutionary provisions—abolishing the liberum veto, establishing a hereditary monarchy, and granting rights to the burghers—and the fierce opposition from pro-Russian magnates who formed the Targowica Confederation. Lucas explains how Catherine the Great's intervention and the subsequent Russo-Polish War of 1792 led to the constitution's downfall and the Second Partition. The conversation concludes with the legacy of May 3 as a symbol of Polish enlightenment and national revival, celebrated to this day. #ConstitutionOfMay3 #PolishLithuanianCommonwealth #StanisAwAugustPoniatowski #GreatSejm #HugoKoTaj #TargowicaConfederation #CatherineTheGreat #LiberumVeto #PolishEnlightenment #RussoPolishWar1792 #SecondPartition #PatrioticParty #BurgherRights #HereditaryMonarchy #PolishHistory #EasternEurope #FexingoHistory #History #WingedHussars #PartitionsOfPoland Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo