The fate of the Duchy of Warsaw at the final stage of the Napoleonic Wars (1813 - March 1814)
Abstract
The Polish question has been of vital importance since the XVIII century, when the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth ceased to exist and its territories were divided between Russia, Austria and Prussia. The creation of the Duchy of Warsaw, as well as the beginning of the Foreign campaign, revived the previously solved problem. The previous policy of Russia, Austria and Prussia towards the Rzeczpospolita became the basis for the claims of the countries on the territory of the Duchy. An active diplomatic work was carried out in parallel with military operations; one of the agendas was the fate of the Duchy. Each of the countries had a position that reflected their interests. That is why the aim of the research is to consider the evolution of the position of Russia, Austria and Prussia on the future of the Duchy of Warsaw as military operations moved to the West. Austria’s position was to limit the French interference in the affairs of the three countries, including the Duchy issue. Austria wanted to obtain the Duchy, or at least see it as part of Prussia. Prussia’s position was the idea of a divided Duchy of Warsaw, and almost all the territories Prussia wanted to take for itself. Russia claimed the entire territory of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw; its claims were conditioned by its leading role in the defeat of the Napoleonic army. Alexander I wanted to see the Duchy under the Russian monarchy. Consequently, during the discussion of the fate of the Duchy, a confrontation was formed between the similar positions of Austria and Prussia and the position of Russia. As a result, it was not possible to come to a specific solution to this issue. The question had to be postponed to the Congress; however, the positions that the European powers had been developing during the VI anti-French coalition became the basis for the diplomatic work in Vienna.
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Review
For citations:
Udaltsova S. The fate of the Duchy of Warsaw at the final stage of the Napoleonic Wars (1813 - March 1814). International Aspect. 2024;5(4):53-69.
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