Prussia notes

Szlachta

The legally privileged nobles in the Kingdom of Poland.

Sejm

Poland's Parliament, consisting of the Senate (upper chamber) and the House of Deputies (lower chamber).

Liberum Veto

The legal right of each member of the legislature (Sejm) to veto legislation, requiring unanimous consent.

Flawed Monarchy

A term used to describe Poland due to its commonwealth nature and hereditary nobility system, indicating it wasn't a democracy.

Stanislaw August Poniatowski

The last king of Poland, considered controversial for failing to save his country during its partition.

Tadeusz Kościuszko

A skilled engineer and military leader from Poland who fought in the American Revolutionary War and against Russian invasions.

Partition of Poland

The division of the Commonwealth's lands by the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia, and Habsburg Austria.

Pragmatic Sanction

A legal decree issued by King Charles VI of Austria ensuring his daughter Maria Theresa could inherit the Habsburg throne.

War of Austrian Succession

A conflict (1740-48) sparked by Frederick II's invasion of Silesia, challenging the Pragmatic Sanction.

Diplomatic Revolution

A shift in alliances leading to France allying with Austria and Russia during the 18th century.

Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle

The treaty concluding the War of Austrian Succession in 1748, confirming Silesia's loss to Prussia.

Codex Theresianus

A law code considered by Maria Theresa for her people that was never completed.

Emperor Joseph II

An enlightened despot from Austria known for encouraging reforms and abolishing serfdom.

Patent of Tolerance (1781)

A decree by Joseph II granting religious freedom.

Frederick II (the Great)

King of Prussia known for his military successes and expansion of Prussian territory during the Seven Years War.

Hohenzollern Dynasty

The ruling house of Brandenburg-Prussia from 1415-1918.

Peopling Prussia Policy

A policy that opened farmland to colonizers, draining swamps and increasing food supply, attracting immigrants.

Prussian Academy of Science

Founded by Frederick III, a French-language institution in Germany teaching both sciences and humanities.