Early Modern Era
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
1569 AD – 1750 AD · peak 1618 AD
Formed by the Union of Lublin in 1569, this elective monarchy was a dual state spanning over 1 million km² with its capital eventually moved to Warsaw. It was characterized by the 'Golden Liberty' of the nobility and formal religious tolerance under the Warsaw Confederation of 1573. The state declined due to internal political paralysis caused by the liberum veto and was eventually partitioned by Russia, Prussia, and Austria between 1772 and 1795.
Capital: Cracovia / Varsavia
Key figures
Battles in this period
Trade routes in use
- Hanseatic League (1200 AD – 1600 AD)
- Cape Route (1500 AD – 1869 AD)
- Manila Galleon (1565 AD – 1815 AD)
- Atlantic Triangular Trade (1600 AD – 1808 AD)
- Tea Clipper Route (1720 AD – 1900 AD)