war in defense of the constitution

This conflict took place in 1792 between Poland and her ally the Kingdom of Prussia, on one side, and the Russian Empire on the other. The forces of the Poland, loyal to King Stanisław August Poniatowski and the Sejm Wielki, defended Poland's May 3rd Constitution of 1791 against the Targowica Confederation of native opponents of the Constitution and the invading Russian armies allied with that Confederation. Prussia abandoned Poland by breaking the alliance both countries had and the Prussian commander of the army of the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania betrayed the Polish-Lithuanian cause. The Polish army retreated to the Bug River, where Tadeusz Kościuszko fought the Battle of Dubienka to a draw. The Russian army, however, was granted free passage through Austrian territory. Ultimately the Polish loyalist forces were defeated. This precipitated the Second Partition of Poland (January 21, 1793) and the end of the Commonwealth.

See also