historynut.info created by Tim Sheehan the self-proclaimed history nut Home >> About the Author

Woodrow Wilson and Poland’s Independence

Table of Contents | Introduction | Conclusion | Endnotes | Related Web Resources

Poland as an Independent Nation
Page 1 of 15

Poland began as an independent state around 966. In 1385, Poland and Lithuania united, forming a “Commonwealth of Two Nations.”(2) During the eighteenth century, Poland fell victim to the domination of three bordering powers: Prussia, Austria, and Russia. These three powers took advantage of internal divisions within the Polish- Lithuanian state. As a result, they decided to divide up Poland amongst themselves. Between 1764 through 1795, the state went through three partitions. The third partition completely eliminated Poland-Lithuania as a sovereign commonwealth. Other European powers decried this action but did nothing to persuade these three hungry powers from carving up Poland. Although Poland-Lithuania ceased to exist as a nation, the desire for Poland’s independence carried on through the nineteenth century and into the twentieth century.(3)

©2007-2012 Tim Sheehan tim@historynut.info

Introduction | top-of-page | Next Page

This page last updated 1 January 2012