Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Republic of the Two Nations, or Republic of Both Nations (Polish: Rzeczpospolita Obojga Narodów, Lithuanian: ?e?pospolita or Abiej? taut? respublika, Belarusian: ??? ?????????? or ??? ?????????? ??????? ???????, Latin: Regnum Serenissima Poloniae) was a federal monarchy?republic formed by the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1569, lasting until 1795.

Related Topics:
Polish - Rzeczpospolita - Lithuanian - Belarusian - Latin - Regnum Serenissima - Federal - Monarchy - Republic - Kingdom of Poland - Grand Duchy of Lithuania - 1569 - 1795

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The Commonwealth was an extension of the Polish-Lithuanian Union, a personal union between those two states that had existed from 1386. The Commonwealth was one of the largest and most populous states in Europe and for over two centuries successfully withstood wars with the Teutonic Order, the Mongols, the Russians, the Ottomans, and Sweden. The Commonwealth was notable for its political system, which was a precursor to modern democracy and federation; for its remarkable religious tolerance; and for the second-oldest codified national constitution in the world. Its economy was dominated by agriculture. While the Commonwealth's first century was a golden age for both Poland and Lithuania, the second century was marked by military defeats, a return to serfdom for the peasants, and growing anarchy in political life.

Related Topics:
Polish-Lithuanian Union - Personal union - 1386 - Europe - Teutonic Order - Mongols - Russians - Ottomans - Sweden - Political system - Democracy - Federation - Religious tolerance - Codified - Constitution - Economy - Agriculture - Golden age - Serfdom - Anarchy

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The Duchy of Warsaw, established in 1807, traced its origins to the Commonwealth. Other revival movements appeared during the January Uprising (1863?1864) and in the 1920s, when Józef Pi?sudski advanced the concept of a federation of Mi?dzymorze (translatable as "Tween-Seas"). Today's Republic of Poland considers itself a successor to the Commonwealth.

Related Topics:
Duchy of Warsaw - 1807 - January Uprising - 1863 - 1864 - 1920s - Józef Pi?sudski - Federation - Mi?dzymorze - Republic of Poland

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