Die Erste Teilung Polen-Litauens in der Wahrnehmung des kursächsischen Hofes

ENFor contemporaries, the first partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was an event without precedent that caused a sensation all over Europe. The actions of the partitioning powers were also closely observed at the court of the Electorate of Saxony, which had been closely linked to the Polish crown in a personal union until 1763. Possibilities for participation were explored, as were the consequences for their own economy and interests in Poland. For even though the personal union expired in 1763, there were still deep personal and economic entanglements. Poland-Lithuania had become an important supplier and sales market for the Saxon economy. In 1772 Saxony was hit above all by the harsh occupation policy of the par titioning powers, especially Prussia, which despite protests brought the grain trade in particular to a standstill for a short time in the face of a famine crisis. In the end, Dresden was forced to recognise the partition. Although this meant a decline for Saxony in the political structure of Europe, the Saxon economy benefited in the long term from the reform process initiated in Poland-Lithuania and a deepening of economic contacts. Keywords: Kursachsen, Polnisch-sächsische Union, Handel, Diplomatie.