Targowica Confederation
The Targowica Confederation (
History
The Targowica confederation opposed the
The forces of the Targowica Confederation defeated the troops loyal to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Sejm and King Stanisław August Poniatowski in the Polish–Russian War of 1792. As a result, the King, Poniatowski, formally joined the Confederation. Their victory precipitated the Second Partition of Poland and set the stage for the Third Partition and the final dissolution of the Commonwealth in 1795.[2] This outcome came as a surprise to most of the Confederates, who had wished only to restore the status quo ante and had expected that the overthrow of the May 3rd Constitution would achieve that end.[1]
Legacy
The term targowiczanin, which historically applies to each member and supporter of the Targowica Confederation, became a synonym for a traitor, just as Targowica is synonymous with treason. These meanings still function in the Polish language up to the present day.[3]
Leading members
- Général en chef.
Other magnate members:
- Józef Ankwicz convicted of treason and sentenced to hanging on 9 May 1794.[5]
- ambassador Karol Boscamp-Lasopolski hanged June 28, 1794.
- Franciszek Ksawery Branicki:[4] Sentenced to death during the Kościuszko Uprising, but never apprehended. Having emigrated to Russia, he died at Belaya Tserkov, 1819.
- Wilnoon April 25, 1794, during the Kościuszko Uprising.
- Józef Kazimierz Kossakowski: Bishop. Hanged May 9, 1794, in Warsaw during the Kościuszko Uprising.[6]
- Ignacy Jakub Massalski: Bishop. Hanged June 28, 1794, in Warsaw during the Kościuszko Uprising.[7]
- hetman Piotr Ożarowski convicted of treason and sentenced to hanging on 9 May 1794.[5]
- Seweryn Rzewuski[4] Sentenced in absentia by the Supreme Criminal Court to death and the confiscation of his estates. Executed in effigy on 29 September 1794.
- Józef Zabiełło convicted of treason and sentenced to hanging on 9 May 1794.[5]
See also
- Hetman Party
Quotes
- From the Establishing Act of the Targowica Confederation:[8]
"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"
- One of the founders of the Targowica Confederation, Stanisław Szczęsny Potocki:
"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".
- After Stanisław Poniatowski's abdication and the destruction of the Commonwealth, Szczęsny Potocki said:
"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."
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-295-98093-5. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-691-13460-4. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-253-34429-8. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-820701-6. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ^ a b c Davies, ibid., Google Prin, p. 540
- ISBN 978-0-313-26007-0. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-313-26007-0. Retrieved 8 January 2013.
- ISBN 978-963-7326-52-3. Retrieved 8 January 2013.