Catherine Ii's Rule: Austria And Prussia's Fear Of The Enlightened Monarch

Catherine the Great was feared by Prussia and Austria because of her ambitions to conquer Poland. Catherine's plan to marry Poniatowski spread, and Frederick II warned her that if she tried to conquer Poland, all of Europe would oppose her. Prussia, Russia, and Austria began preparing the ground for the partitions of Poland.

Catherine the Great refrained from intervention in France and intervened in Poland instead

Catherine's plan to marry Poniatowski spread, and Frederick II warned her that if she tried to conquer Poland by marrying Poniatowski, all of Europe would oppose her. She had no intention of marrying him, having already given birth to Orlov's child and to the Grand Duke Paul by then. Prussia (through the agency of Prince Henry), Russia (under Catherine), and Austria (under Maria Theresa) began preparing the ground for the partitions of Poland.

Recognizing that she was not strong enough to face France alone, Austria urged Russia to support her so that she would not be forced to sign a “dishonorable” peace with France. Where British gold had failed to sway her, Austrian honor had more success with Catherine.

Catherine supported the Targowica Confederation and defeated Polish loyalists

Catherine the Great supported the Targowica Confederation and defeated Polish loyalists. Catherine feared that the May Constitution of Poland (1791) might lead to a resurgence in the power of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and the growing democratic movements inside the Commonwealth might become a threat to the European monarchies. She decided to refrain from her planned intervention into France and to intervene in Poland instead. She provided support to a Polish anti-reform group known as the Targowica Confederation. After defeating Polish loyalist forces in the Polish–Russian War of 1792 and in the Kościuszko Uprising (1794), Russia completed the partitioning of Poland, dividing all of the remaining Commonwealth territory with Prussia and Austria (1795).

Prussia and Austria completed the partitioning of Poland

Catherine the Great of Russia, Prussia and Austria were fearing that the May Constitution of Poland (1791) might lead to a resurgence in the power of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the growing democratic movements inside the Commonwealth might become a threat to the European monarchies. Catherine decided to refrain from her planned intervention into France and to intervene in Poland instead. She provided support to a Polish anti-reform group known as the Targowica Confederation. After defeating Polish loyalist forces in the Polish-Russian War of 1792 and in the Kościuszko Uprising (1794), Russia completed the partitioning of Poland, dividing all of the remaining Commonwealth territory with Prussia and Austria (1795).

Prussia, Russia and Austria began preparing the ground for the partitions of Poland. Catherine had no intention of marrying Poniatowski, having already given birth to Orlov's child and to the Grand Duke Paul by then. Frederick II (others say the Ottoman sultan) warned her that if she tried to conquer Poland by marrying Poniatowski, all of Europe would oppose her.

Catherine provided support to a Polish anti-reform group known as the Targowica Confederation. After defeating Polish loyalist forces in the Polish-Russian War of 1792 and in the Kościuszko Uprising (1794), Russia completed the partitioning of Poland, dividing all of the remaining Commonwealth territory with Prussia and Austria (1795).

Catherine provided support to a Polish anti-reform group known as the Targowica Confederation. After defeating Polish loyalist forces in the Polish-Russian War of 1792 and in the Kościuszko Uprising (1794), Russia completed the partitioning of Poland, dividing all of the remaining Commonwealth territory with Prussia and Austria (1795).

Catherine provided support to a Polish anti-reform group known as the Targowica Confederation. After defeating Polish loyalist forces in the Polish-Russian War of 1792 and in the Kościuszko Uprising (1794), Russia completed the partitioning of Poland, dividing all of the remaining Commonwealth territory with Prussia and Austria (1795).

Catherine's marriage to Poniatowski was opposed by Europe

Catherine the Great was feared by Austria and Prussia because of her ambitions to expand Russia's influence in Europe. Catherine's marriage to Poniatowski was opposed by Europe because it was seen as a threat to the stability of the continent.

Catherine's plan to marry Poniatowski was widely known, and Frederick II warned her that if she tried to conquer Poland by marrying Poniatowski, all of Europe would oppose her. Catherine had no intention of marrying him, having already given birth to Orlov's child and to the Grand Duke Paul by then.

Prussia (through the agency of Prince Henry), Russia (under Catherine), and Austria (under Maria Theresa) began preparing the ground for the partitions of Poland. Catherine's support for a Polish anti-reform group known as the Targowica Confederation and her intervention in Poland instead of her planned intervention into France further fostered fears of her ambitions.

Catherine's marriage to Poniatowski was personally opposed by Catherine and Sigismund, who feared that it would increase anti-Polish sentiment in the Habsburg court. Catherine also blamed Sigismund of mistreating and causing the early death of her older sister and his first wife Elizabeth of Austria.

The partitions of Poland were completed in 1795, with Russia, Prussia, and Austria dividing all of the remaining Commonwealth territory. This further solidified Catherine's power and influence in Europe, and her ambitions to expand Russia's influence in Europe were realized.

Catherine's marriage to Poniatowski was opposed by Sigismund

Catherine of Austria, Queen of Poland, and Sigismund personally opposed the marriage. Catherine blamed Sigismund for mistreating and causing the early death of her older sister and his first wife, Elizabeth of Austria. Sigismund feared that Catherine would be similarly unattractive and of frail health as Elizabeth.

Sigismund initially refused, fearing that it would only increase the anti-Polish sentiment in the Habsburg court. However, he later changed his mind because he believed that Catherine's departure would make it easier to obtain a divorce. In late 1565, she departed to Wieluń, but Polish nobles interfered and her departure to Vienna was delayed until 8 October 1566. In a letter written to Albert, Duke of Prussia, a day before her departure, Catherine expressed her resolve to one day return to Poland.

News of Catherine's plan spread, and Frederick II (others say the Ottoman sultan) warned her that if she tried to conquer Poland by marrying Poniatowski, all of Europe would oppose her. She had no intention of marrying him, having already given birth to Orlov's child and to the Grand Duke Paul by then. Prussia (through the agency of Prince Henry), Russia (under Catherine), and Austria (under Maria Theresa) began preparing the ground for the partitions of Poland.

Catherine decided to refrain from her planned intervention into France and to intervene in Poland instead. She provided support to a Polish anti-reform group known as the Targowica Confederation. After defeating Polish loyalist forces in the Polish–Russian War of 1792 and in the Kościuszko Uprising (1794), Russia completed the partitioning of Poland, dividing all of the remaining Commonwealth territory with Prussia and Austria (1795).

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