Topic: At the Mercy Of The Major Powers: The Situation Of Poland On The International Stage In The 18th Century

Target group

6th‑grade students of elementary school

Core curriculum

XIII. The Polish‑Lithuanian Commonwealth in the first half of the 18th century. Pupil:

4. assesses the international position of the Polish‑Lithuanian Commonwealth in Saxon times.

General aim of education

Students get acquainted with the international position of the Polish‑Lithuanian Commonwealth in Saxon times

Key competences

• communication in foreign languages;

• digital competence;

• learning to learn.

Criteria for success
The student will learn:

• what were the objectives of the political factions during the Saxon era, as well as those of the states engaged in pro- and anti‑Polish politics;

• how did Poland’s history during the Saxon era develop;

• what were the reasons behind the deterioration of Poland’s situation on the international stage.

Methods/techniques

• expository

  • talk.

• activating

  • discussion.

• programmed

  • with computer;

  • with e‑textbook.

• practical

  • exercices concerned.

Forms of work

• individual activity;

• activity in pairs;

• activity in groups;

• collective activity.

Teaching aids

• e‑textbook;

• notebook and crayons/felt‑tip pens;

• interactive whiteboard, tablets/computers.

Lesson plan overview

Before classes

1. The teacher asks students to acquire or supplement information on the meaning of the annexation of Silesia and the Seven Years' War (1756‑1763) for Prussia and Poland, based on an e‑textbook.

Introduction

1. The teacher gives the students the subject, the purpose of the lesson and the criteria for success.

2. The teacher tells students about the local and supralocal consequences of the war for Polish succession after the death of August II the Strong and the miracle of the Brandenburg house during the Seven Years War and its impact on the deterioration of Poland's international position - i.e. outlines the international background of the Saxon era.

Realization

1. The teacher asks students to do Task 1. Students, listening to the recording, pay attention to the historian Dariusz Milewski's view of the effects of the struggle of political parties in Saxon times. What was the difference between the Czartoryski party (the so‑called Familia) and Potocki? And what connected them?.

2. The teacher divides the students into 3 groups. Group I impersonates the defenders of „golden freedom” - its task will be to prove that Poland „nierzadem stoi” (i.e., „government”, power limiting arbitrariness of the magnates, does not ensure the duration of the state at all). Group II - its role will be to be critics (defects and threats arising from the state of „nierząd”). Group III is looking for an idea to reconcile the two previous positions and improve the international situation of Poland in the Saxon era. As part of the preparation for the discussion, the teacher gives students useful tips. They also do Exercise 1, indicating the goals to which individual political players aspired. The teacher makes sure that the task has been correctly completed and provides feedback.

3. After preparation, selected students under the guidance of a teacher carry out a limited‑time debate in the forum of the class (groups I and II). Next, group III asks questions and provides guidance - parties of discussions previously elaborated in the course of observation of the debate. Students, after their joint conclusions, write down final conclusions in 3‑4 points.

4. While working on exercises and instructions, the teacher uses a method or a set of cards in three colors: green, yellow and red. Thanks to the cards, the students signal to the teacher if they have difficulties with carrying out orders (green - I'm doing great, yellow - I have doubts, red - please help).

Summary

1. Students talking with the teacher and with his help divide (verbally or in writing) the causes of the crisis of the Republic in the Saxon times into: resulting from the constitutional principles of the state, resulting from the international situation.

2. The teacher assesses the students' work during the lesson, taking into account their input and commitment. Tells students feedback on their work.

Homework

1. The teacher sets homework (it is not an obligatory part of the script), which is to listen to the lecture in the e‑textbook, entitled „Polskie kariery w Saksonii i saskie kariery w Polsce”. What conclusions did the students remember?.

The following terms and recordings will be used during this lesson

Terms

Texts and recordings

At the Mercy Of The Major Powers: The Situation Of Poland On The International Stage In The 18th Century

The death of Augustus II the Strong happened amid a very complex situation on the international stage. The major powers expressed divided opinions on the Polish succession. Poland’s neighbors wished its throne to be taken by a distant and weak prince, such as a Portuguese infante. The nobility and the majority of magnates were, by the Polish standards, surprisingly agreeable – they wanted it to be taken by Stanisław Leszczyński. The election was exceptionally smooth and the majority of the participants supported Leszczyński. Under the protection of the Tsar’s army, around 1000 supporters of the Wettin held a second election. This led to the civil war of 1734, known as the War of Polish Succession. It was only ended by the pacification sejm of 1736. The victory of Augustus III was decided by his military advantage and the support of the neighboring countries. The great losers of the failed election of Leszczyński turned out to be the magnate group consisting of Stanisław Poniatowski, his brothers‑in‑law, Michał and August Czartoryski, and Andrzej Załuski, i.e. the Familia. It was the reason why they supported neither the army’s numbers nor the reforms that would enable it. The conservative so‑called “hetmans’ party” became “Familia”’s main political enemy. Its members were the Grand Crown Hetman Franciszek Ksawery Branicki, Field Hetman Seweryn Rzewuski and the richest Polish magnate of the time – Stanisław Szczęsny Potocki. The aim of this faction was to keep Poland’s political system as it was – with elective monarchy, liberum veto, and the liberties of the nobility. They saw Russia as the main ally.