the Constitution of May 3, 1791

The Constitution of May 3, 1791, was Poland’s first modern attempt to create a more balanced and fair government. It aimed to strengthen the king’s authority while reducing the power of the nobility and reforming the political system to better serve all citizens. It introduced new legal standards, established civil liberties, and sought to modernize the country’s political structure, making it more efficient and just. This was a significant step toward modern parliamentary democracy, though its implementation faced resistance and external threats, ultimately leading to Poland’s partitions by neighboring powers.