Simone Lawson
The first European constitution was the Constitution of 3 May 1791, also known as the Government Act, which was a written constitution for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was adopted by the Great Sejm that met between 1788 and 1792 and was the first codified, modern constitution in Europe, and the second in the world after that of the United States. The Constitution was a response to the increasingly perilous situation in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and sought to implement a more effective constitutional monarchy, introduce political equality between townspeople and nobility, and place peasants under the government's protection, thus mitigating the worst abuses of serfdom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 3 May 1791 |
| Territory | Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth |
| Type of Government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Type of Monarchy | Dual monarchy |
| Equality | Introduced political equality between townspeople and nobility (szlachta) |
| Peasants | Placed the peasants under the government's protection, mitigating the worst abuses of serfdom |
| Parliamentary Institutions | Abolished the liberum veto |
| Separation of Powers | Introduced a tripartite separation of powers |
| Checks and Balances | Included checks and balances |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Constitution of 3 May 1791
The adoption of the Constitution of 3 May 1791 provoked hostile responses from the Commonwealth's neighbours, who saw it as a threat to their absolute monarchies. Russia, which had previously intervened in the Commonwealth's constitutional affairs, viewed Poland as a de facto protectorate and was furious over the adoption of the new constitution. The constitution was also opposed by a coalition of Polish magnates and landless nobility who did not want reforms that might weaken their influence. In the Polish-Russian War of 1792, the Commonwealth was attacked by Russia, allied with the Targowica Confederation, and was defeated. Ultimately, the Constitution of May 3 was in force for little more than a year.
The Evolution of Connecticut's First Constitution
You may want to see also
The first modern constitution in Europe
The Constitution of 3 May 1791 was the first codified, modern constitution in Europe, possessing checks and balances and a tripartite separation of powers. It was also the second in the world, after that of the United States. The Constitution sought to implement a more effective constitutional monarchy, introduced political equality between townspeople and nobility, and placed peasants under the government's protection, thus mitigating the worst abuses of serfdom. It abolished pernicious parliamentary institutions such as the liberum veto, which had placed the sejm at the mercy of any deputy who might choose, or be bribed, to undo all the legislation passed by that sejm.
The adoption of the May 3rd Constitution provoked the active hostility of the Polish Commonwealth's neighbours. Empress Catherine of Russia, for example, was furious as she believed it threatened Russian influence in Poland, which had been considered a de facto protectorate. The Prussian statesman Ewald von Hertzberg expressed the fears of European conservatives, saying, "The Poles have given the coup de grâce to the Prussian monarchy by voting a constitution".
The Constitution of 3 May was a progressive and bold legal act for its time, initiating a number of reforms and constituting a crowning achievement of the centuries-old links between Poland and Lithuania. It was designed to address the long-standing political defects of the federative Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and its Golden Liberty. Despite its historical significance, the Constitution did not save the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was officially cancelled just one year after its declaration due to the power struggle between Polish and Lithuanian noblemen.
St. Louis vs. Missouri Constitution: Which Came First?
You may want to see also
The second constitution in the world
The world's first written constitution was drafted in the United States of America in 1787. A few years later, on the 3rd of May 1791, the second constitution in the world was declared by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland. It was titled the "Government Act" and was a written constitution for the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, which was adopted by the Great Sejm that met between 1788 and 1792. The Commonwealth was a dual monarchy comprising the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The new constitution was intended to address political questions following a period of political agitation and gradual reform that began with the Convocation Sejm of 1764 and the election of the Commonwealth's last king, Stanisław August Poniatowski, that year.
The 1791 Constitution was a response to the increasingly perilous situation in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, which had been a major European power only a century earlier and was still the largest state on the continent. The Constitution sought to implement a more effective constitutional monarchy, introduced political equality between townspeople and nobility, and placed peasants under the government's protection, thus mitigating the worst abuses of serfdom. It abolished pernicious parliamentary institutions such as the liberum veto, which, at one time, had placed the sejm at the mercy of any deputy who might choose or be bribed by an interest or foreign power to undo all the legislation passed by that sejm. The May 3rd Constitution sought to supplant the existing anarchy fostered by some of the country's reactionary magnates with a more egalitarian and democratic constitutional monarchy.
The adoption of the May 3rd Constitution provoked the active hostility of the Polish Commonwealth's neighbours. For instance, Empress Catherine was furious over the adoption of the document, which she believed threatened Russian influence in Poland. The Prussian statesman Ewald von Hertzberg expressed the fears of European conservatives: "The Poles have given the coup de grâce to the Prussian monarchy by voting a constitution", elaborating that a strong Commonwealth would likely demand a return of the lands that Prussia had acquired in the First Partition. Despite the unification of the Commonwealth and the democratically adopted constitution, the power struggle did not stop—some members of the nobility supported the new constitution, while others continued to oppose it.
The Constitution of 3 May 1791 is considered the first constitution in Europe by historian Norman Davies. It was a progressive and bold legal act for its time, initiating a number of reforms and constituting a crowning achievement of the centuries-old links between Poland and Lithuania.
Octavian's First Political Reinvention: A Masterful Transformation
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$105.98 $129.99
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Constitution of 3 May 1791, also known as the Government Act, was the first European constitution. It was a written constitution for the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, which was a dual monarchy comprising the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Commonwealth was established by the Union of Lublin in 1569. The Constitution was adopted by the Great Sejm that met between 1788 and 1792 and was intended to address political questions following a period of political agitation and gradual reform. This included the introduction of parliamentary bodies, the emergence of the sejm and sejmiki, and the concept of a contractual state embodied in texts like the Henrician Articles and the Pacta conventa.
The Constitution of 3 May was a progressive and bold legal act for its time, initiating a number of reforms and constituting a crowning achievement of the centuries-old links between Poland and Lithuania. It was the second constitution in the world, after that of the United States, and the first modern constitution in Europe, possessing checks and balances and a tripartite separation of powers. The Constitution sought to implement a more effective constitutional monarchy, introducing political equality between townspeople and nobility, and placing peasants under the government's protection, thus mitigating the worst abuses of serfdom. It also abolished pernicious parliamentary institutions such as the liberum veto, which had placed the sejm at the mercy of any deputy who might choose, or be bribed, to undo all the legislation passed by that sejm.
The adoption of the May 3rd Constitution provoked the active hostility of the Polish Commonwealth's neighbours, including Russia, who had viewed Poland as a de facto protectorate. The contacts of Polish reformers with the Revolutionary French National Assembly were seen as evidence of a revolutionary conspiracy and a threat to absolute monarchies. Despite the unification of the Commonwealth and the democratically adopted constitution, the power struggle did not stop, with some members of the nobility supporting the new constitution, while others continued to oppose it.
The Constitution of 3 May was not able to save the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and it was officially cancelled just one year after its declaration due to the ongoing power struggles between Polish and Lithuanian noblemen. However, this does not diminish its historical significance, as it demonstrated the ability of the elites to communicate across divisions and diagnose the country's greatest political problems, as well as their will to find remedies for the weaknesses from which their country suffered.
The First Trimester: Weeks That Define the Start
You may want to see also
The end of serfdom's worst abuses
The Constitution of 3 May 1791, also known as the Government Act, was the first European constitution. It was a written constitution for the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, which was a dual monarchy comprising the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The constitution was adopted by the Great Sejm that met between 1788 and 1792 and was intended to address political questions following a period of political agitation and gradual reform. It was the first codified, modern constitution in Europe, and the second in the world, after that of the United States.
The Constitution of 3 May 1791 introduced political equality between townspeople and nobility (szlachta) and placed peasants under the protection of the government, thus mitigating the worst abuses of serfdom. Serfdom was a system of slavery that bound peasants to the land they were born into and to the lord of that land. Serfs were often subjected to cruel and arbitrary treatment, with their lords having the power to punish, fine, or exile them at will. The Constitution of 3 May 1791 sought to protect peasants from these abuses and to grant them certain rights and protections under the law.
One of the main ways the constitution addressed the abuses of serfdom was by abolishing pernicious parliamentary institutions such as the liberum veto. The liberum veto had allowed any deputy of the sejm (the Polish parliament) to undo all the legislation passed by that sejm. This often led to a state of anarchy, as reactionary magnats could easily block any attempts at reform or progress. By abolishing the liberum veto, the constitution sought to create a more stable and effective government that could better protect the rights of its citizens, including peasants.
The constitution also introduced a more democratic form of government, with the king's power being restrained by law. This meant that the king could no longer rule arbitrarily or abuse his power without consequence. The sejm was given legislative power, with all issues being solved by voting, ensuring that decisions were made in a fair and transparent manner. These reforms marked a significant shift towards a more egalitarian and democratic society in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
In conclusion, the Constitution of 3 May 1791 played a crucial role in ending the worst abuses of serfdom in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. By introducing political equality, protecting the rights of peasants, and creating a more stable and democratic form of government, the constitution helped to improve the lives of those who had previously been subjected to the cruel and arbitrary power of the nobility and monarchy.
The Foundation Stone: First Words of Indian Constitution
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The first European constitution was the Constitution of 3 May 1791, also known as the Government Act of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
The Constitution of 3 May 1791 was the first modern constitutional act in Europe and the second in the world, after the United States. It introduced political equality between townspeople and nobility and placed peasants under the protection of the government, thus mitigating the worst abuses of serfdom.
The Constitution of 3 May 1791 was a response to the increasingly perilous situation in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which had been a major European power only a century earlier. It was also a result of the rising interest in constitutional reform among progressive thinkers in the thirty years before the Constitution.
