# Bar Confederation (1768)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1768-bar-confederation
Location: Bar
Categories: main-event

Nobles formed the Bar Confederation to defend Catholicism and independence from Russia, fighting until 1772. Within the broader Reform & Partitions period: Under Stanisław August the Commonwealth attempted sweeping Enlightenment reforms, culminating in the Constitution of 3 May 1791, while Russia, Prussia and Austria carved up its territory in three partitions. At this point in the timeline (1768), the governing authority was Stanisław August Poniatowski (King of Poland). Last King of Poland; patron of the Enlightenment and the Constitution of 3 May 1791, he abdicated after the Third Partition. Bar Confederation mattered because a revolt against the existing order tested the strength of rulers and the aspirations of the nation. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Bar Confederation mattered because a revolt against the existing order tested the strength of rulers and the aspirations of the nation.

Ruler at the time: [Stanisław August Poniatowski](https://poland-history.com/rulers/stanislaw-august-poniatowski)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Bar Confederation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bar_Confederation)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Bar Confederation](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Bar+Confederation)
- [Wikipedia — Partitions of Poland (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partitions_of_Poland)