The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was a vast, multi-ethnic state that spanned much of Central and Eastern Europe from the 16th to 18th centuries. A unique political union and elective monarchy, it was known for its vibrant noble democracy and religious tolerance before its eventual partitions.
History
The Commonwealth's origins lie in the Union of Lublin in 1569, formally merging Poland and Lithuania. This created Europe's largest state, renowned for its religious tolerance and unique political system. Its "Golden Age" in the late 16th and early 17th centuries saw cultural flourishing and military strength, including victories against the Ottoman Empire, Russia, and Sweden. However, from the mid-17th century, the Commonwealth faced severe challenges, including the devastating wars known as The Deluge and internal political paralysis caused by the liberum veto. This weakening ultimately led to the three Partitions by Prussia, Russia, and Austria between 1772 and 1795, ending its existence.
Government
The Commonwealth operated as an elective monarchy, where the monarch was chosen by the nobility through elections. This system gave significant power to the nobility, or szlachta, who enjoyed extensive privileges under what was called Golden Liberty. Legislative power resided primarily with the Sejm, a parliament composed of elected noble representatives. The Sejm's unique feature was the liberum veto, which allowed any noble deputy to unilaterally block legislation, often leading to governmental paralysis and instability. Local administration was largely decentralized, with regional assemblies (sejmiks) holding considerable authority.
