Королівська елекція 1764 р. в Речі Посполитій: зовнішньополітичний аспект

Abstract

Background : The article considers the royal election of Stanislaw Poniatowski and Russian influence on it. The election marked the beginning of the processes that led to the Commonwealth’s loss of autonomy in the international affairs. The simplistic or stereotypical representation of Russia’s role in the royal election of 1764 can often be found in the contemporary historiography. The reasons of appointing Stanislaw August as a Russian protege to be the head of the Commonwealth are frequently mythologized. In particular, it is often noted that Stanislaw August was chosen as a favorable candidate by the Russian elite groups only because he was Catherine II’s favorite. But this approach does not take into account the other factors. Focusing on Russian historical sources can show us the position of the Russian Empire before and during the election. The specific character of the sources and their belonging to the so-called "behind-the-scenes documents" make them very important for the investigation of Russian methods of the foreign policy. Concentration exclusively on the analysis of the Russian documents in the study of the described problem allows to fully understand the position, plans and motives of the Russian Empire. The researchers have indirectly discussed the methods and tools which were used by the Russian Empire while meddling in the elections. These methods and tools have been also analyzed in the research with a vaster subject of study. Therefore, it makes sense to allocate and examine the methods and tools of the Russian influence more clearly, as well as make an objective assessment of them. Purpose : basing on the Russian historical sources, to investigate the policy of the Russian Empire regarding the Commonwealth, particularly the intentions, methods and instruments of the Russian interference in the royal election of 1764. Results : I would like to point out that the Russian Empire played a key role in the process of electing Stanislaw August as a monarch of the Commonwealth. "Familia" was in disagreement with the pro-Saxon nobility and had an ambition to gain more power within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Catherine II also tried to make the king her own puppet on the Polish throne. The methods, tools and purposes of Russian policy regarding the Commonwealth during the royal election of 1764 have been researched and classified. The historical sources of the Collection of the Imperial Russian Historical Society have been analyzed from the point of view of the informational value. Key words : Stanislaw August, election, Russian Empire, Commonwealth, Catherine II.