Poland
| Poland | |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth of Poland | |
 | |
 Location of Poland | |
| Capital | Warsaw |
| Languages |
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Poland officially the Commonwealth of Poland, is a country located in Central Europe. Warsaw is the nation's capital and largest metropolis.
History
Early History
In the late antiquity period a people group known as the Western Polans dominated the region and are the group that gave Poland its name. The establishment of Polish statehood can be traced to 966, when the pagan ruler of a realm coextensive with the territory of present-day Poland embraced Christianity and converted to Catholicism.
Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Kingdom of Poland was founded in 1025 and in 1569 cemented its longstanding political association with Lithuania by signing the Union of Lublin. This union formed the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, one of the largest and most populous nations of 16th and 17th century Europe, with a uniquely liberal political system different from it's neighbors at the time
The Coalition War against Poland (1832-1834)
During the early 19th century, ideas of reforming the declining Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth had sprung up among progressive thinkers throughout the multi-ethnic empire. In 1829, the Great Sejm of Poland introduced a new constitution for Poland, designed to limit foreign influence in Poland. This was met with suspicion from Poland's neighbors, specifically Russia and Austria, who were happily content with the deteriorating status of the commonwealth. After the Ottomans' victory and prestige in helping defeat the French in the during the French revolutionary wars, Russia and Austria feared that their influence in Poland might be overshadowed. This prompted the Coalition War against Poland (1832-1834), launched by a coalition of Austria, Russia, Saxony, and Pomerania. The war ended with the partition of Polish territory designed to paralyze Polish power and influence, and left Poland as a rump multi-ethnic state and a buffer between Russia and Austria.
