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Piast Poland

History

Jasienica

Europe

Amer Inst for Polish Culture

The fourth volume of Pawel Jasienica's magnificent epos of Polish history, "Calamity of the Realm," covers part of the 17th century and deals with a multitude of wars with Muscovy, Sweden, the Tartars, Cossacks, and Turks. It also describes the complex relations between Poland and France. The dominant protagonist of the era was Jan III, one of the greatest kings in Poland's history. He was first and foremost a brilliant commander, whose victories won him the popularity which brought him to the throne. Jasienica describes in colorful detail the many campaigns of Jan Sobieski, in which he demonstrated a tactical skill that won him battles against enemies far stronger in numbers. Elected king in 1674, Sobieski proved to be a statesman as well as a soldier, but his task was rendered almost impossible by the intrigues of the powerful lords, who frustrated any attempt at adopting constitutional reform. The situation was complicated by his French-born queen, who tried to promote the interest of France and its King Louis XIV. King Sobieski's letters to his beloved wife show him to be a talented, poetic writer. The highlight of Sobieski's reign was the great battle of Vienna in 1683. A huge Turkish army led by Kara Mustapha was advancing westward. The Habsburg emperor fled his capital of Vienna, unable to defend it. Germany could not match the Turkish army. The future of Europe was at stake. King Jan Sobieski came to the rescue at the head of the Polish army, smashing the Turks and thus any threat to the Western Europe by the Ottoman Empire.

Calamity of the Realm: The Commonwealth of Both Nations II

Jasienica, Paweł

Americas

The fifth and last volume of Jasienica's history of Poland covers the period from the death in 1696 of King Jan Sobieski to 1797 - the partition of the Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania by Russia, Prussia and Austria. It was a century of struggle for political reform, culminating in the proclamation in 1791 of the Constitution of the Third of May, the first written constitution in Europe, second only in the world to that of the United States. Until then, the Commonwealth government had relied on medieval traditions. There was a parliament (called Seym), but it was paralyzed by the requirement of a unanimous vote, which meant a single veto could overrule the majority. The kings of Poland were elected following the extinction of the Jagiellonian dynasty. Chaos resulted, weakening the nation in its relations with powers ruled by absolute monarchs. The French Revolution played a decisive role. The emperors of Russia and Austria and the king of Prussia were alarmed by it and feared that Poland and Lithuania might follow suit. Their fears were unfounded - the Constitution of the Third of May was moderate, keeping the monarchy and the rights of the nobility. The neighboring despotic rulers also feared the Commonwealth, the largest country in Europe, could again become a major power and felt they had to act fast to avert that. In response, Kosciuszko, Dabrowski, and other Polish soldiers put up a heroic struggle, but could not save their country. Poland and Lithuania lost their freedom in 1797. Their spirit remained alive, however, finding expression in the insurrections of 1830 and 1863, though independence was not won until 1918.

A Tale of Agony: The Commonwealth of Both Nations III

Madame Curie Daughter of Poland

WOZNICKI, ROBERT

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Books by Amer Inst for Polish Culture