Targowice

Targowica (Polish pronunciation: [tarɡɔˈvʲit͡sa]) refers historically to the Targowica Confederation (Konfederacja Targowicka), a confederation of Polish and Lithuanian magnates formed on April 27, 1792, in Saint Petersburg, Russia (though publicly proclaimed on May 14, 1792, in the town of Targowica, present-day Ukraine). This confederation ostensibly aimed to restore the old order and liberties of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which they saw as threatened by the progressive reforms of the May 3rd Constitution of 1791.

In reality, the Targowica Confederation was a conspiracy initiated and supported by Empress Catherine II of Russia. Its main goal was to undermine the Commonwealth and prevent any strengthening of its government that might challenge Russian influence in the region. The magnates who joined the confederation appealed to Russia for military assistance, effectively inviting foreign intervention into Polish internal affairs.

The Targowica Confederation triggered the Polish-Russian War of 1792, also known as the War in Defense of the Constitution. Despite initial Polish resistance, the Russian army, vastly superior in numbers, defeated the Commonwealth forces. The aftermath of the war saw the annulment of the May 3rd Constitution and the Second Partition of Poland in 1793, further reducing the Commonwealth's territory and sovereignty.

The actions of the Targowica Confederation are widely condemned in Polish history and culture. The word "Targowica" has become synonymous with treason and betrayal of national interests. The members of the Confederation are viewed as collaborators who sacrificed the independence of Poland for their own personal gain and political ambitions, ultimately paving the way for the final partitions of Poland in 1795 and the subsequent disappearance of the Commonwealth from the map for over a century. The term serves as a powerful and enduring symbol of internal discord and the dangers of foreign influence.