# First Partition of Poland (1772)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1772-first-partition-of-poland
Location: Saint Petersburg
Categories: main-event

Russia, Prussia and Austria annexed nearly a third of the Commonwealth's territory. 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 (5 August 1772), 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. First Partition of Poland mattered because its terms redrew borders or alliances and constrained Poland's options for years to come. 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
First Partition of Poland mattered because its terms redrew borders or alliances and constrained Poland's options for years to come.

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

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