The Polish-Lithuanian Republic became one of Europe’s largest states but weakened by 1795, leading to its partitioning by Austria, Prussia, and Russia. The power-sharing relationship between the king and independent nobles highlighted a decentralized political structure that hindered effective governance. Nobles wielded considerable power over the peasantry and were protected by legal frameworks exempting them from royal authority. The election process for kings, requiring unanimity among the nobility, further reinforced their autonomy and weakened centralized control, culminating in a decline that left Poland-Lithuania vulnerable to external threats.
The Polish-Lithuanian Republic maintained a unique political structure where power was widely dispersed among the nobles, making it difficult for kings to exercise true authority.
The ability of the nobility to elect the king and demand unanimity in elections strengthened their power and contributed to the decentralization of governance.
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