Friday marks the 233th anniversary of Poland’s May 3 constitution. On this day in 1791, Poland adopted its first constitution, becoming the first country in Europe to do so and the second in the world (following the United States of America). The constitution, adopted during the “Four-Year Sejm” (a parliamentary meeting held from 1788–92) of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, regulated relations between state institutions and bestowed rights and obligations upon the country’s citizens.
Vital reforms
The document enabled the Sejm (lower parliament) to operate smoothly, eliminating the “liberum veto” (a unanimity voting rule), introducing majority voting, and declaring that the Sejm’s decisions could not be challenged by local parliaments (Sejmiki).
It expanded the subject of Polish democracy, while judicial power remained separate from the legislative and executive branches.
While the constitution adopted Roman Catholicism as the country’s main religion, it also exhibited tolerance for all other religions.
Furthermore, the bourgeoisie received the most important privileges previously enjoyed only by the nobility, such as the right to personal and property inviolability, the right to acquire land, access to government positions, and full administrative and judicial autonomy in cities.233 years ago, on May 3, 1791, at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, the Polish Great Sejm adopted the Government Act - the Constitution of May 3, the second constitution in the world and the first in Europe.
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Jan Matejko, ‘Constitution of 3th May 1791’, 1891 pic.twitter.com/hAjsEA1lbi
The document referred to the country’s “citizens,” which for the first time included townspeople and peasants. The statute also introduced a bicameral parliament consisting of Sejm (Lower House) and Senate (Higher House). The king sat in the latter with one vote, just like an ordinary senator.
The constitutional formal procedures were performed for little over a year before being stopped by Russia allied with conservative Polish noble magnates in the Polish–Russian War of 1792, also known as the War in Defense of the Constitution.
After the fall of the Republic, the May 3 Constitution became a symbol of great achievements and proof that a strong, efficient, and modern state could be created. Its legend stimulated the struggle for its revival throughout the partition period.
Thanks to the adoption of the May 3 Constitution, Poles regained self-esteem and respect for their political heritage. During the partition period (1795-1918), these were important factors in strengthening the will to fight to regain statehood.
