Constitution & Reform in XVIII Century Poland

In the late 18th century, Poland was one of three countries, along with the United States and France, to adopt a constitution. Although short-lived, the Polish Constitution of 3 May 1791 was acknowledged as a milestone by republican thinkers in Europe and America. This volume is the first attempt in English to provide a comprehensive view of Poland in the Age of Enlightenment at a time of political and social reform and cultural revival. Spanning a number of disciplines and perspectives, the 22 chapters in this book were commissioned from scholars from Poland, the United States, England, and Germany. Handsomely produced, the book is enriched by hundreds of contemporary illustrations, engravings, and maps. In addition to its focus on the Constitution of 3 May 1791 and the Polish movement for political reform, the book documents the history of Polish parliamentarism and the connection between the American, Polish, and French ideas of a democratic state at the end of the 18th century.