Stanislav Leszczynski: a short biography

Stanislaw Leszczynski - the king of Poland and the Lithuanian prince, went down in history as a man who was more of a cultural than political. His short-term rule was marked by a sharp domestic political struggle in the country, the opposition of the opposition and the interference of foreign powers in the internal affairs of the state, but his patronage and educational activities were remembered by his descendants.

The coup

Stanislav Leszczynski belonged to the noble Polish nobility. The future Polish king was born in Lviv in 1677. He held a number of high posts, including the post of the Poznan voevoda. However, the real rise of his career took place at the beginning of the 18th century in connection with the outbreak of the Northern War, when the Swedish king invaded the country and inflicted a number of serious defeats on its ruler, Augustus II, who was an ally of our country. Local nobility divided into supporters of the deposed king and invader. At this stage, the ruler was deposed, and Stanislav Leszczynski was sent to Charles XII as an ambassador. After some time, the Swedish ruler decided to support his candidacy for the royal throne. In 1705, the new king took over the state with active support from the Swedish side.

Split

However, the position of the ruler was very fragile. The fact is that a significant part of the Polish gentry took the side of the deposed king. Nevertheless, the following year, Charles XII forced the former Polish ruler to sign a treaty, under which he finally renounced the crown and title. However, after the defeat of the Swedes during the war, Stanislav Leszczynski, in turn, was deposed, and the former king returned to the country with the help of Russian weapons. Leshchinsky fled the country first to Prussia, then to France, where he married his daughter to the French king, which strengthened his position in political circles.

Returning to Poland

Stanislav Leszczynski, whose biography is the subject of this review, lived in France until 1733, but this year the Polish king died, and with the support of the French side, as well as some influential Polish magnates, decided to regain his crown. He did it, but he did not stay in power for long. The fact is that against his accession, Russia and Austria sharply acted, who wanted to put their protector, the son of the previous king, on the Polish throne.

War

The accession of Leshchinsky led to a war for the Polish inheritance, which lasted two years and ended with the final defeat of the ruler and his refusal to further claims to power. Russian troops in this campaign were first commanded by Lassi, then he was replaced by Minich. For some time, the siege of Danzig continued, which, in the end, ended in the capture of this city. Stanislav fled the country and after these events finally gave up the crown. This was legally formalized by two treaties, which provided, however, the retention of the royal title, as well as considerable compensation in the form of two principalities and significant annual cash payments.

Educational activities

Stanislav Leshchinsky, whose short biography is presented to your attention, departing from political life, successfully proved himself as a patron and author of a number of philosophical works in the spirit of enlightenment. So, he was familiar with Rousseau, wrote treatises on the theme of socio-political structure. In addition, he founded an academy for Polish youth, from which came a number of well-known graduates. Having at his disposal considerable funds, he financed the square in Nancy with this money, built a church and, on the whole, promoted the development of cultural life not only with his court, but also in this city, whose population was so respectful to him that after his death was It was decided to name the area with its name.

Stanislav Leschinsky, interesting facts about which are connected more with his patronage and enlightenment activity than with a political career, went down in history not so much as a king, but as an organizer of the capital of Lorraine, where he even received a bronze monument.