Polish legislature agrees to Russian protectorate (1767–1768)

In 1767–1768 the Polish Sejm, pressured by Russian minister Nicholas Repnin and backed by Russian troops, was compelled to concede all points in dispute and to accept Russia's right to intervene in Polish internal affairs. Repnin had orchestrated confederations to advance Russian interests, and Russian military force underpinned the coercion of the legislature.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. After the death of Augustus III, Repnin became minister plenipotentiary in Poland following Keyserling's death in 1764 and promoted the elevation of Stanisław Poniatowski to the Polish throne, a position satisfying the Saint Petersburg court. To further Russian interests he encouraged the creation of Protestant confederations of Sluck and Toruń and later the Catholic Radom Confederation in June 1767.

Coercion and Concessions. Repnin faithfully obeyed his instructions and, by means more or less violent or discreditable, forced the Sejm to concede everything. The 1767–1768 Sejm, known as the Repnin Sejm, was compelled to concede all points in dispute, with Russian troops aiding in the enforcement of Russian demands.

Aftermath. The Radom Confederation seized Warsaw and summoned a Sejm in 1768, at which Repnin, with the aid of Russian troops, compelled acceptance of Russia's right to intervene in Polish internal affairs. In 1768 the Bar Confederation formed as a rebellion directed against Poniatowski and all external influence, aiming ineptly to preserve Poland's sovereignty and the privileges held by the nobility.

People involved

Sources

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