Społeczeństwo szlacheckie Rzeczypospolitej a wojsko w czasie Sejmu Czteroletniego i w okresie rządów konfederacji targowickiej (1788-1793)

EN“Noblemen”, “Knight”, “Soldier” for a while in the former Republic those three words meant essentially the same thing. They were citizens of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and have dedicated themselves to support and defend their country. The idealized, but very real concept ceased to exist in the beginning of the eighteenth century. The meaning of “Knight” along with the concept of “chivalry” was virtually forgotten, an soldiers were treated as an unnecessary group which only generates excess costs. The situation began to rapidly change during the Four year’ Sejm. At that time the military was restored to its previous relevant status, and soldiers were once again seen as those honorable men fighting for their country. A soldier-citizen, which was previously considered a “parasite” regained his rank among the noble society. By acclamation, a hundred thousand men army was formed, and also by acclamation the nobility created a new tax to support the army. An important fact is that the Targowica Confederates did not object these provisions and following their seizure of power aimed to keep the elevated numbers of the military. During the Four year’ Sejm, conditions were set which in fact guaranteed the soldiers a place in the social elite of the Commonwealth. All of the factors created post 1788, were to lead back to a time when the military was able to protect the citizens and the Republic, and to eliminate all the burdens that came along - such as forage, winter lair and marching troops. All those changes also led to ideological changes - with frequent references to nobility and courage, etc. The intention was to revive the old army but most of all the greatness of the Republic. By far that was the most important factor in the changes in noblemen mentality regarding the army and its needs.