Polish–Lithuanian CommonwealthAristocratic republic in Europe (1569–1795)"First Polish Republic" redirects here. For the first Polish state called republic, see Second Polish Republic.The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, also referred to as Poland–Lithuania or the First Polish Republic (Polish: I Rzeczpospolita), was a federativereal union between the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, existing from 1569 to 1795.
Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian CommonwealthThe General Sejm (Polish: sejm walny, Latin: comitia generalia) was the bicamerallegislature of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was established by the Union of Lublin in 1569 following the merger of the legislatures of the two states, the Sejm of the Kingdom of Poland and the Sejm of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. It was one of the primary elements of the democratic governance in the Commonwealth (see Golden Liberty). The sejm was a powerful political institution.
Political systemIn political science, a political system means the form of political organization that can be observed, recognised or otherwise declared by a society or state.It defines the process for making official government decisions. It usually comprizes the governmentallegal and economic system, social and cultural system, and other state and government specific systems.
SzlachtaThe szlachta (Polish pronunciation: [ˈʂlaxta] ; Lithuanian: šlėkta; Ruthenian: шляхта, translit: šlachta) were the hereditary noble estate in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It was the dominating social class in the Kingdom of Poland and the Commonwealth, which was exercising political rights and power. Polish noble class differed substantially from the feudal nobility of Western Europe.
Nobility privileges in PolandThe privileges of the szlachta (Poland's nobility) formed a cornerstone of "Golden Liberty" in the Kingdom of Poland (before 1569) and, later, in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1569-1795). Most szlachta privileges were obtained between the late-14th and early-16th centuries.
LatinLatin (lingua Latina or Latinum) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area around Rome, Italy. Through the expansion of the Roman Republic, it became the dominant language in the Italian Peninsula and subsequently throughout the Roman Empire.ParliamentA parliament is a type of legislature, or law-making body, of a state. Generally, a parliament has three functions: representing the electorate, making laws, and overseeing the executive government via hearings and inquiries. Its role is similar to that of a senate, synod or congress; a parliament is the institutional form of parliamentary systems based on the fusion of powers. The term parliament is commonly used in countries that are current or former monarchies.
Polish languageWest Slavic languagePolish (endonym: język polski, , polszczyzna or simply polski, ) is a West Slavic language of the Lechitic subgroup, within the Indo-European language family, and is written in the Latin script. It is primarily spoken in Poland and serves as the official language of the country, as well as the language of the Polish diaspora around the world. In 2024, there were over 39.7 million Polish native speakers.
Union of LublinThe Union of Lublin (Polish: Unia lubelska; Lithuanian: Liublino unija) was signed on 1 July 1569 in Lublin, Poland, and created a single state, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, one of the largest countries in Europe at the time. It replaced the personal union of the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with a real union and an elective monarchy, as Sigismund II Augustus, the last of the Jagiellons, remained childless after three marriages.
RzeczpospolitaRzeczpospolita (pronounced [ʐɛt͡ʂpɔsˈpɔlita] ) is a traditional Polish term for a political community founded for the common good. The noun "rzeczpospolita", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage" rzecz "thing, matter" and pospolita "common", is analogous to the Latin rēs pūblica (rēs "thing" + pūblica "public, common"), i.e. republic, in English also rendered as commonwealth, for example, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Lithuanian languageEast Baltic languageLithuanian (lietuvių kalba, pronounced) is an East Baltic language belonging to the Baltic branch of the Indo-European language family. It is the language of Lithuanians and the official language of Lithuania as well as one of the official languages of the European Union. There are approximately 2.8 million native Lithuanian speakers in Lithuania and about 1.5 million speakers elsewhere.
Crown of the Kingdom of Poland1385–1795 territorial possessions of the King of Poland Crown of the Kingdom of PolandKorona Królestwa Polskiego (Polish)Corona Regni Poloniae (Latin)c. 1370–1795 Royal Banner (c. 1621) Coat of arms Anthem: "Bogurodzica""Mother of God""Gaude Mater Polonia""Rejoice, oh Mother Poland" The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1635.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.