Not surprising. Part of the reason why Poland (including Western Ukraine which was historically Polish) and Lithuania are the way they are is that like 10% of the population was "nobility" in the late 18th century vs barely 1% in western Europe, and nobles had a lot of power, to the point that one man could veto the entire parliament during the 1600s/1700s.
to the point that one man could veto the entire parliament during the 1600s/1700s
wasn't poland annexed because they made a new constitution proscribing that & other noble privileges and then the Russians & company invaded on behalf of nobles having a hissy
Not exactly, it's more like the country fragmented as foreign powers increasingly meddled in the country's politics (because all those nobles could be bought off) to the point where leaders were effectively chosen by the Russian czar. Eventually they were carved up into client provinces of Russia, Austria, and Prussia as a diplomatic way to avoid a war between major powers because Frederick the Great expected Russia and Austria to fight over the right to take over the collapsing Polish state, and Prussia had an alliance with Russia and would have had to fight the Hapsburgs again which they didn't want to do.
Not surprising. Part of the reason why Poland (including Western Ukraine which was historically Polish) and Lithuania are the way they are is that like 10% of the population was "nobility" in the late 18th century vs barely 1% in western Europe, and nobles had a lot of power, to the point that one man could veto the entire parliament during the 1600s/1700s.
wasn't poland annexed because they made a new constitution proscribing that & other noble privileges and then the Russians & company invaded on behalf of nobles having a hissy
Not exactly, it's more like the country fragmented as foreign powers increasingly meddled in the country's politics (because all those nobles could be bought off) to the point where leaders were effectively chosen by the Russian czar. Eventually they were carved up into client provinces of Russia, Austria, and Prussia as a diplomatic way to avoid a war between major powers because Frederick the Great expected Russia and Austria to fight over the right to take over the collapsing Polish state, and Prussia had an alliance with Russia and would have had to fight the Hapsburgs again which they didn't want to do.