# Constitution of 3 May 1791 (1791)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1791-constitution-of-3-may-1791
Location: Warsaw
Categories: main-event

The Great Sejm adopted Europe's first modern written constitution, abolishing the liberum veto and creating a hereditary monarchy with separation of powers. 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 (3 May 1791), 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. Constitution of 3 May 1791 mattered because it laid down fundamental rules for the state and became a lasting reference point in Polish political tradition. 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
Constitution of 3 May 1791 mattered because it laid down fundamental rules for the state and became a lasting reference point in Polish political tradition.

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

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Constitution of 3 May 1791](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_3_May_1791)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Constitution of 3 May 1791](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Constitution+of+3+May+1791)
- [Wikipedia — Partitions of Poland (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partitions_of_Poland)