The Queen of Poland

There were many wars during the reign of John II Casimir Waza, 1648-1668. The Poles defeated the Swedish forces at a battle at Czestochowa, the residence of the "Black Madonna." The king proclaimed the Blessed Virgin "Queen of the Crown of Poland." The next ruler, Michael Korybut Wisniowiecki, 1669-1673 was incompetent both in foreign and domestic matters. However, after him came John III Sobieski, 1674-1696, who, besides being an excellent commander, was aware of maneuvering within international politics. Augustus II (The Strong), 1697-1706, dragged Poland into an unnecessary war with the Swedes who were victorious. Stanislaus Leszczynski had two terms as king. 1704-1709, and 1733-1736. Meanwhile, a false sense of national security prevailed at the Polish Diet, the governing body, in 1717; so much so that it was resolved that Poland and Lithuania did not need more than 26,000 men in its standing army. However, by that time, Russia, under Czar Peter, already had a 300,000 man army which was increased to one million by the end of the century. Frederick II of Prussia had enlarged his forces of 83,000 to 250,000. During this time, the nobles continued their hedonistic ways and Poland was weakened by internal and external forces.

Early History | Beginnings of Christianity | Early Leadership | First Rulers | The Latin Rite | A New Dynasty | The Queen of Poland

The End of the Monarchy | The Partition | Cultural Leaders | Poland Now