Prusy Polskie w XV–XVIII w. Dążenia unifikacyjne a partykularyzm pruski

Abstract

At the beginning of the article, justifying its title, the Author suggests departure from traditional name of province – the Royal Prussia, for the new one, which, in his opinion, is nearer to the historical reality – the Polish Prussia. Recent anniversaries (2009 year) – 555 anniversary of the issuance of the Incorporation Act and 440 of the decree of the king Zygmunt August, which established parliamentary union between the Polish Prussia and the Polish Crown, inspire to the new view on relationships between the Prussian Province and the Crown during the period from 1454/1466 to 1772/1793. Comprehensive approach to these issues is diff icult, especially in short article. It requires limiting of the analysis to presentation the main lines of development in mutual relationships between the Prussian Province and the Crown. First of all, it is necessary to concentrate on the turning points. It was events concerned with dates: 1454, 1466, 1526, 1569 and 1772. First date means the Incorporation Act and its contents, which from the beginning was controversial in the sphere of the character of the relationship between the Province and the Crown. The second date is concerned with the II Treaty in Toruń and its contents, which aggravated above mentioned controversy. Prussian states wanted to preserve in their hands authority in the Province and the king with the crown states were seeking to lead to full integration and unifi cation the Polish Prussia with the rest of country. The controversy and confl ict lasted until the year 1569 (when was issued the Unifi cation Decree). It had not liquidate the Prussian autonomy, but after that the Province was blending into the polish state and society. This process was fi nished in the twenties of XVIIth century. Rebirth of autonomy aspirations within the elite of the great prussian cities, appeared during the reign of Stanisław August Poniatowski. Notwithstanding, when the neighboring countries carried out the fi rst dissection of Poland, entire society of the Polish Prussia accepted this fact with reluctance. Invasion the Prussian army on the Gdańsk and Toruń in 1793 fi nished the existence of the Polish Prussia.