RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN IN POLAND 1831 Belligerents : Russia. Poland.
Cause : By the three partitions of 1772, 1793, and 1795 Poland ceased to exist as an independent state, and Polish territory was divided up between Russia, Prussia, and Austria. But in 1814 the Grand Duchy of Warsaw was established as a separate kingdom subject to the Czar of Russia. The economic and political life was revived and with it antagonism to Russia. In 1828 plans were made for an outbreak, but the opportunity was neglected. The French Revolution of 183o rekindled the flames.
Occasion : A revolt broke out in November 1830. An attempt was made to negotiate with the Czar Nicholas, who let it be understood that Poland had but two alter natives, unconditional submission or annihilation. The Polish Government, in January 1831, replied by proclaiming his dethronement. War was unavoid able, and Russian troops crossed the Polish frontier in February.
Course of the War : The losses sustained by the Russian armies were considerable, but the Poles had to fall back on Warsaw and were defeated at Ostrolenka. Russian reinforce
ments came up, and on September 8, 1831, the Russian army made its entrance into Warsaw, and the revolt was suppressed.
Political Result : The Constitution of Poland was abolished : it ceased to be a separate kingdom and became a province of the Russian Empire. The Polish leaders were exiled.
Remarks : The Poles might have won a gradual development of constitutional liberty without a break with the powerful sovereignty of the Czar ; the revolt no doubt was rash and unwise. But, on the other hand, the governments of Western Europe, including Great Britain, who, by the Treaty of Vienna, guaranteedkhe autonomy of Poland, never. lifted a hand on behalf of Polish independence, and acquiesced in its complete absorption by Russia.