Commonwealth of Poland-Lithuania

## Summary

The **Commonwealth of Poland-Lithuania** or simply **Poland-Lithuania** or **The Commonwealth**, (Not to be confused with the British Commonwealth) is an Eastern European state comprising the Southern Baltics, Poland and Northern Slovakia. Situated on the Great Polish plain and sandwiched between the traditional borders of Germany and Russia.

## History

Poland-Lithuania has been often controlled by outside forces. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna in the wake of the Napoleonic conquests, established a Polish Rump state as a protectorate of Russia. By 1856 with the establishment of a German state looming, and having gained ever-increasing autonomy from Russia, the first Polish state was formed.

### Early History

Nicolas II had just died, and was being succeeded by Alexander II in Russia. This transfer of power allowed the Poles to take advantage the weak new king. Alexander was ill-equipped to deal with a new polish revolt, eerily similar to that which had occurred in November of 1830. Two months after the 1856 revolt had begun, Alexander II of Russia signed a treaty with the Poles, guaranteeing them their own land. This established the first Polish State. The Polish state practically remained in its 1858 borders until 1890. Tsar Alexander III had resolved to recapture the land lost by his predecessor, and invaded Poland. The invasion was repulsed in short order, much to the surprise of the Russians. Russian forces were cut off of supply by the poles and encircled by Polish cavalry. The slow moving Russian columns succumbed to fast hit and run attacks from Polish Hussars. The war resulted in the Treaty of Lodz, seeing Poland gain some eastern land typically inhabited by Poles.

### Recent History

Poland reconstructed after the war with Russia, and saw the maintenance of its borders until the Empire Collapse and the Russian Civil war of 1910. In mid 1911, shortly after the beginning of the war, with some Polish meddling, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia rebelled against the Russian Empire. In 1911, after their rebellion, Lithuania and Poland united into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, amid a falling apart Russian Empire. The aftermath of the Imperial collapse was a time of significant growth for the young Commonwealth. New ports on the Baltic sea, trade hubs inland and the expansion of the Polish railway network saw great advancement in the country. Along with the unprecedented technological advancement of the twentieth century, Poland was headed into a new golden age.

Poland has remained at Peace until the Great War.

## Modern Government

The modern government of Poland Lithuania is officially described in the Constitution as a Republic. It sees the establishment of three legislative branches, three judicial branches, and a single executive branch.

### Polish Government

The people of Poland elect the polish legislature, the *Rzeczpospolita.* This assembly oversees the governing of Poland and is comprised of 72 members, elected from the 72 constituent zones of Poland. The Rzeczpospolita also appoints the Court of Poland, the highest judicial Branch in Poland except for the Wielki Dwór, comprised of 9 judges. The polish assembly also appoints 6 members to the National Assembly, 1 member for evry 12 districts.

### Lithuanian Government

The people of Lithuania elect the Lithuanian Legislature, the *Nacionalinė asamblėja.* This is the legislature of Lithuiania,m handling the affairs of it. It is comprised of 36 members, for each of the 34 constituent zones of Lithuania, plus two representatives for the separate zone of Kaunas.; The people of Lithuania elect 9 judges to the Court of Lithuania. The Nacionalinė asamblėja also appoints 3 members to the National Assembly, 1 for every 7 Represtntives of the Nacionalinė asamblėja.