On May 3rd
The May 3rd Constitution was recognized as a modern government act adopted by the Sejm, which sought to save our country just after the First Partition. It was designed to eliminate the existing flaws in the political system of the Commonwealth and its golden liberty. This Constitution introduced political equality between burghers and Polish nobility and placed peasants under state protection, thus mitigating the abuses of the serfdom system against them. The Constitution abolished detrimental obligations, such as the liberum veto, which, before its adoption, left the Sejm at the mercy of every deputy. The Government Act of May 3rd was also intended to definitively replace the existing anarchy, supported by some national magnates, with a democratic constitutional monarchy. The adoption of the May 3rd Constitution by the Polish Sejm inflamed the hostility of the neighbors of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
In Defense of the Government Act
During the war fought in defense of the adopted constitution, Poland was betrayed by its former ally from Prussia, Frederick William, and was also defeated by the Russian Empire ruled by Catherine II, who supported the Targowica Confederation, commonly known as the conspiracy of Polish magnates. Despite this defeat and the subsequent Second Partition of Poland in 1793, the May 3rd Constitution influenced later democratic movements around the world. After losing independence in 1795, during the 123 years of partitions on Polish lands, the 1791 act reminded all patriots of the struggle for the independence of their beloved country.
According to the two co-authors of the aforementioned constitution, Ignacy Potocki and Hugo Kołłątaj, this act was the last will and testament of a fading Homeland. Although many years have passed since then, the establishment of such an important state reform is a great holiday for every Pole.
