ATR

Question 1

Who was Karolis Stanislovas Radvila?

Answer 1

A prominent nobleman and voivode of Vilnius known for his character and lifestyle.

Question 2

What was K. S. Radvila known for?

Answer 2

His love for hunting, hosting grand feasts, and being a prolific figure in his time.

Question 3

What did opponents say about K. S. Radvila’s education?

Answer 3

They claimed he showed no interest in learning and only learned to read and write while practicing archery.

Question 4

What characterized the governance of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 18th century?

Answer 4

Weak royal authority due to the power of the nobility and the ‘liberum veto’ right.

Question 5

What was the impact of the ‘liberum veto’ on the Polish-Lithuanian Sejm?

Answer 5

It paralyzed legislative decisions and disrupted the law-making process.

Question 6

Which countries took advantage of the weaknesses in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth?

Answer 6

• Russia
• Austria
• Prussia

Question 7

Fill in the blank: The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was described as ‘a kingdom without power, nobles without order, and people without trade and freedom.’

Answer 7

________

Question 8

What was the view of many nobles regarding reforms in the Commonwealth?

Answer 8

Most nobles opposed change, believing the weak state should remain as it was to avoid conflict with neighbors.

Question 9

What did the Enlightenment ideas bring about in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth?

Answer 9

Calls for reform aimed at strengthening the central authority rather than opposing absolutism.

Question 10

Who led the reformist faction known as ‘Familija’?

Answer 10

The Cartoriskiy group led by nobles seeking to strengthen the monarchy.

Question 11

What was the outcome of the 1764 election for king?

Answer 11

Stanislovas Augustas Poniatovskis was elected with Russian military support.

Question 12

What reforms did the Cartoriskiy group aim to implement?

Answer 12

• Abolish the liberum veto
• Establish military and economic commissions
• Set a new order for the Sejm
• Increase the army
• Introduce uniform taxes
• Ensure future rulers would be citizens of the Republic.

Question 13

What was the response of Russia and Prussia to the proposed reforms?

Answer 13

They formed an alliance to prevent changes in the Commonwealth’s governance.

Question 14

What happened after the Vilnius-Radom Confederation was formed in 1767?

Answer 14

The old social order was restored, and Catherine II of Russia was recognized as the guarantor of its preservation.

Question 15

What languages did Stanislovas Augustas Poniatovskis speak?

Answer 15

• English
• Italian
• French
• German

Question 16

True or False: The nobility of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was united in their desire for reform.

Answer 16

False

Question 17

What were the consequences of the internal conflicts among the nobility?

Answer 17

They led to increased dependence on Russia and the restoration of the old social order.