# Great Sejm convenes (1788)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1788-great-sejm-convenes
Location: Warsaw

Taking advantage of Russia's war with the Ottomans, reformers in the Sejm formed a confederation so that decisions could be taken by majority vote. The Four-Year Sejm expanded the army and prepared a new constitution. 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 (1788), 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. Great Sejm convenes mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood. 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
Great Sejm convenes mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood.

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

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