War with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth 1733 1735. War for the "Polish Succession" (1733-1739). Command of the Russian army

Plan
Introduction
1 Previous events
2 Course of the war
2.1 Polish theater of operations
2.2 Siege of Danzig
2.3 Italian theater of operations
2.4 Southern Italy
2.5 German theater of operations

3 Truce
4 Results of the war
5 Sources

War of the Polish Succession

Introduction

War of the Polish Succession - a war fought in 1733-1735 by Russian coalitions, Austrian Empire and Saxony on the one hand and France, Spain and the Kingdom of Sardinia on the other.

1. Previous events

In 1733 the Polish king August II died. France nominated his father-in-law as his successor french king Louis XV Stanislav Leshchinsky, whose approval would be a significant political victory for France and could undermine Russian influence in the Commonwealth. In addition, this could lead to the creation of an anti-Russian bloc of states (Poland, Sweden, Ottoman Empire) under French leadership.

Russia and Austria supported the Saxon Elector Friedrich August. Both sides immediately began to actively operate with money.

On April 27, 1733, a convocation Sejm opened, preceding the electoral one, at which it was decided that only a natural Pole and a Catholic who does not have his own army, nor a hereditary power and is married to a Catholic can be elected king. This decision expressly excluded both the Saxon elector and any other foreign prince from the list of candidates for the throne. However, when it was necessary to sign these articles, some of the electors refused to do so, after which they turned to the Russian court with a request for help.

On August 14, 1733, the Russian ambassador Levenvolde concluded an agreement in Warsaw with the Saxon commissars, according to which Russia and Saxony entered into a defensive alliance for 18 years, guaranteeing each other all their European possessions and exposing an auxiliary army: Russia - 2 thousand cavalry and 4 thousand infantry, Saxony - 1 thousand infantry and 2 thousand cavalry; the elector recognized the imperial title for the Russian empress, and upon reaching the Polish crown he had to try to make the Commonwealth do the same; both sides invited Prussia, England and Denmark to the alliance; the elector undertook to use all his strength so that Poland would renounce its claims to Livonia; the empress promised to assist the elector in his intentions regarding Poland with negotiations, money, and, if necessary, an army.

The Electoral Diet began on 25 August. His work was marked by quarrels. Already on August 29 regimentary Lithuanian prince Vishnevetsky moved with his adherents in the amount of 3 thousand people to the right bank of the Vistula in Prague, followed by the governor of Krakow, Prince Lubomirsky.

On September 11, when the primate was supposed to collect votes, the lords standing on the right bank of the Vistula sent a protest against the candidacy of Stanislav, but the primate announced that only the protest expressed on the election field was considered legitimate. According to the opponents of Stanislav, when collecting votes, the primate acted in bad faith, quickly passing by suspicious banners, and his retinue shouted at the sound of trumpets and horns: “Long live Stanislav!” Nevertheless, by evening the majority clearly spoke out in favor of Leshchinsky, while the minority left for Prague at night.

On September 12, 1733, the primate announced the election of Stanisław Leshchinsky as King of Poland. Meanwhile, the minority, having published a manifesto in which they complained about the destruction of the liberum veto, retreated to the Hungarians. On September 22, Leshchinsky, accompanied by his main supporters, as well as the French and Swedish ambassadors, left for Danzig, where he intended to wait for French help.

2. The course of the war

2.1. Polish theater of operations

Russian troops under the command of P.P. Lassi crossed the border on July 31 and appeared near Warsaw on September 20.

Part of the gentry on September 24, half a mile from Prague, in the Grochov tract, elected Friedrich August to the throne. The Polish troops, who supported Leshchinsky, left Warsaw without resistance and went to Krakow.

2.2. Siege of Danzig

August III

In January 1734, Lassi was occupied by Thorn, whose inhabitants swore allegiance to Augustus III and accepted the Russian garrison. Lassi was able to bring only 12 thousand soldiers to Danzig, which were not enough to storm the city, since the number of the besieged exceeded the forces of the besiegers. In addition to the Poles, there were also French engineers and a number of Swedish officers in the city. In addition, their hopes were supported by the presence in the city of the French and Swedish ambassadors Monty and Rudenskiöld.

On March 5, 1734, Field Marshal Munnich arrived at Danzig, replacing Lassi. On March 9, Russian troops managed to capture the outskirts of Scotland. On April 18, the shelling of the city from the finally arrived guns began.

Stanislav Leshchinsky

At the same time, the French squadron arrived, but the French landing did not find an opportunity to enter the city, since Minich, by taking Fort Sommerschanz, cut off Danzig’s communication with its Weichselmünde harbor, so the French boarded the ships again and went to sea.

In the last days of April Munnich decided to storm Fort Gagelsberg. The assault, however, ended in failure. The losses of the besiegers amounted to 2 thousand people killed and wounded.

On May 13, 11 French ships again appeared in the roadstead, which landed a landing force consisting of 2 thousand people. On May 16, he attacked the Russian retreats, at the same time the besieged made a sortie from the city. Both those and others were repulsed.

Soon Saxon troops approached Danzig. In addition, in early June, the Russian fleet arrived with artillery, as a result of which the French squadron, leaving the army in Weichselmünde, left, having lost one frigate that had run aground. Minich, having received artillery, began to make requests to Weichselmünde, and on June 12 the French surrendered him. The next day, the fortification of Münde surrendered. On June 28, 1734, Danzig also surrendered. Leshchinsky, dressed in a peasant dress, fled. After that, most of the Polish magnates went over to the side of Augustus III.

2.3. Italian theater of operations

Although the Austrian troops did not take part in the hostilities in Poland, the participation of Austria was so obvious that it provided France and Spain with a plausible pretext for declaring war on Emperor Charles VI. The real reason for Spain's entry into the war was her desire to increase her possessions by providing one of the Italian states to the Infante Don Carlos.

Cardinal Fleury also attracted Sardinia to his side, promising her Milan.

The Sardinian king Charles Emmanuel, appointed commander in chief of the allied armies in Italy, occupied Milan in October 1733 and laid siege to Mantua. Having crossed the Alps, the French also entered Italy. Taking advantage of the suspension of hostilities in winter time, Charles VI hastily prepared for war, forming an army in Italy.

Hostilities began in February 1734. At first, Field Marshal F.K. von Mercy commanded the imperial army. He crossed the Po River and pushed the enemy back to Padua.

On June 29, he attacked the Franco-Sardinian army of Marshal Coigny near Parma. Despite the victory, the Austrians, having lost their commander, withdrew across the Sekkia River, where the new commander-in-chief, Count Koenigsek, arrived.

On September 15, 1734, having unexpectedly attacked the Allied camp near Quistello, he won, but on September 19 he was defeated at Guastalla, losing about 6 thousand people.

2.4. Southern Italy

In southern Italy, during this time, the actions of the Austrians were even less successful. Don Carlos, having ascended the throne of the Duchies of Parma and Piacenza at the beginning of 1734 and wishing to exchange them for Naples, concentrated a strong Spanish army in Tuscany, which, passing through the Papal States, invaded Naples, while the Spanish fleet blocked Civitta Vecchia .

The Austrian forces scattered throughout the fortresses of the Kingdom of Naples could not resist the enemy, so the Austrians concentrated 6 thousand people on a fortified position at San Angelo de la Canina. The Spaniards took possession of the Sant'Angel position, surrounded Gaeta and Capua and approached Naples, which on April 10, 1734 opened the gates in front of them.

On May 10, 1734, Don Carlos was proclaimed King of Naples under the name of Charles III. The remnants of the Austrian troops (9 thousand people) concentrated near Bitonto, but on May 27 they were defeated by the Duke of Montemar. Gaeta soon fell.

By December 1734, the Kingdom of Naples was cleared of Austrian troops. Following this, Montemar crossed over to Sicily and occupied Palermo, and on June 3, Charles III was crowned king of the two Sicilies.

2.5. German theater of operations

According to the definition of the Imperial Reichstag, the principalities allied with Austria were supposed to put up a hundred and twenty thousandth army, but due to lack of money they were able to put up only 12 thousand people.

On April 9, 1734, the French army of Marshal Berwick began the campaign by taking Traben-Trarbach, then crossed the Rhine and, bypassing the Ettlingen lines, forced the Austrian army to retreat to Heilbron, where it was led by Eugene of Savoy. The army has already grown to 26,000 men. The aged Prince Eugene thought it best to confine himself to passive defense. He continued to follow this course of action even further, despite the fact that the army gradually reached 60 thousand people.

Evgeny Savoysky
Artist Jacob van Schuppen

The French laid siege to Philippsburg and, despite the stubborn resistance of the Austrians and the death of Berwick, managed to capture it.

3. Truce

After Austria lost hope of attracting England to its side, on November 3, 1734, the emperor concluded a truce with France, and on May 7, 1735 he signed preliminary conditions: Leshchinsky was granted the title of Polish king and the possession of all the estates that belonged to him in Poland, Charles III was recognized the king of both Sicilies, Sardinia received Tortona, Novara and Vigevano, all the other Austrian possessions returned to Austria; The pragmatic sanction was recognized by all Bourbon courts, the duchies of Parma and Piacenza were given to the emperor, who claimed the future possession of Tuscany.

However, the agreement between the powers that made peace did not last long. France was unhappy that she received nothing for all her donations; Spain did not cede Parma and Piacenza and, on the occasion of insulting her envoy in Lisbon, declared war on Portugal, asking for help from England and Austria; Sardinia entered into negotiations with Austria.

Under these conditions, Austria demanded an auxiliary army from Russia, and the Russian government decided to send the 20,000-strong Lassi corps to help her. On June 8, 1735, Lassi marched from Poland to Silesia; on August 15, the Russian army joined the imperial army and settled down between Heidelberg and Ladenburg.

In addition, Denmark and Saxony promised their assistance to Charles VI. All this promised success to Austria, as a result of which, having stopped further negotiations, she declared war on France.

The 1735 campaign of the year also began unsuccessfully for Austria. In northern Italy, Königsek, pressed by the Allies, was forced to retreat to Tyrol, and Mantua was under siege. In the south, Messina and Syracuse were captured, in Germany, Eugene of Savoy, with an army of thirty thousand, with difficulty held the French army. As a result, the emperor, seeing that the hopes for success were not justified, again expressed his desire to enter into peace negotiations.

At this time, in northern Italy, things began to take a favorable turn for him. The siege of Mantua dragged on for a long time, thanks to the quarrels of the allies, who did not want to cede this important point to each other. This mutual distrust and the threats of Charles VI to conclude a separate peace with Spain and Sardinia forced the French to make concessions, and on October 3 a preliminary peace treaty was signed in Vienna.

The conditions remained the same, with the exception of some changes regarding the cession of the lands of Sardinia and the fact that the Duke of Lorraine, in exchange for Tuscany, had to cede Bar and Lorraine to France. Sardinia also agreed to a truce. Meanwhile, Koenigsek forced the Spaniards to lift the siege of Mantua, pushed them back to Tuscany and prepared to move on Naples. Spain was also forced to stop hostilities.

However, the main peace treaty was not signed for several more years, until Fleury and Walpole persuaded Austria to convince the Duke of Lorraine to cede his possessions to France for 3.5 million livres of annual income and satisfy the desires of the Sardinian king.

4. Results of the war

On November 8, 1738, peace was signed with France. On February 8, Sardinia joined him, and on April 21, 1739, Spain and Naples. According to this world, Stanislav Leshchinsky renounced the Polish throne, but retained the title of king and lifelong possession of Lorraine, which, after his death, was to go to France. In return for Lorraine, the Duke of Lorraine received Tuscany with the title of Grand Duke; Charles III was recognized as king of the two Sicilies; Parma and Piacenza remained with Austria; the Sardinian king received the western part of Lombardy, and France fully recognized the Pragmatic Sanction.

As a result of the war, the international positions of the Russian government were strengthened and its influence on Poland increased. France, on the other hand, succeeded in weakening Austria.

5. Sources

· Military encyclopedia, T. 18. - St. Petersburg, 1915.

Soviet historical encyclopedia. T. 11. - M., 1968.

· Solovyov S. M. History of Russia since ancient times. T. 20. - M., 1999.

Literature

· Buturlin D. P. military history campaigns of Russians in the XVIII century, part 3 - St. Petersburg, 1823.

· Guerrier V. The struggle for the Polish throne in 1733 - M., 1862.

· Beyrich R. Kursachsen und die polnische Thronfolge 1733-36. - Lpz., 1913.

· Carr H. L'héroique aventure du comte de Plélo et l'expédition de Dantzig. - Paris, 1946.

· Massuet P. Histoire de la dernière guerre et des negotiations pour la paix, V. 1-2. - Amsterdam, 1736-37.

· Rostworowski E. About polska korone. Politika Francji w latach 1725-1733. - Wr.-Kr., 1958.

· Strobl W.Österreich und der polnische Thron 1733. - W., 1950.

Polish Succession, War of the Polish Succession - Russian war, Austria and Saxony against France, Spain, Sardinia and Bavaria in 1733-1735. The reason for the war was the election of the king Poland after death Augusta II. France nominated S. Leshchinsky, whose election would significantly weaken Russia's influence in Poland and in general in Eastern Europe. Russia and Austria supported the candidacy of the Saxon elector Frederick Augustus II, who claimed the Polish throne. Russia brought its troops into Eastern Poland, but on September 12, 1733, the Sejm in Warsaw elected Leshchinsky king. Then, on the territory occupied by Russia, part of the Polish magnates elected Frederick Augustus II (King August III). During the outbreak of the war, the Russian army successfully advanced deep into Poland; On July 7, 1734, Gdansk fell, and Leshchinsky fled. Most of the Polish magnates went over to the side of Augustus III. Russia, leaving part of the troops in Poland, moved to the aid of Austria, which was defeated by France. In 1735 hostilities ceased, but the conflict ended with the signing of the Vienna Peace Treaty only in 1738. France recognized Augustus III, S. Leshchinsky was assigned the royal title for life, and Lorraine and the county of Bar were transferred to him (after his death they passed to France), Austria renounced the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (given to the younger line of the Spanish Bourbons), and Sardinia acquired part of the Duchy of Milan. Strengthened Russia's position in Europe.

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Polish Succession, War of the Polish Succession 1733-1735 between Russia, Austria and Saxony, on the one hand, and France, on the other. The reason for it was the election of the king in Poland. throne after the death of Augustus II (1733). France nominated Stanislav Leshchinsky (married to the daughter of the French king Louis XV), the assertion of which could not only undermine the influence of Russia in Poland, but also lead to the creation of an anti-Russian bloc of states (Turkey, Poland, Sweden) led by France. Russia and Austria supported the Saxon Elector Friedrich August. On September 12, 1733, at the Sejm in Warsaw, Leshchinsky was elected king. However, he failed to establish himself on the throne. Leshchinsky's opponents, supported by parts of the Lithuanian army, turned to Russia for help. The Russian government, at the request of its supporters (Polish magnates), in September 1733 brought troops into Poland under the command of Field Marshall General B. K. Minikha. October 5 on the territory occupied by Russian. troops, the magnates and gentry, who adhered to the Russian-Austrian orientation, proclaimed Frederick Augustus (August III) king. War broke out. The war ended with the signing of a preliminary (preliminary) peace on October 5, 1735. On November 18, 1738, the final Vienna Peace between Austria and France, which in 1739 was joined by Russia, Poland, Saxony. France was forced to recognize Augustus III as the Polish king. As a result of the War of the Polish Succession, Russia's position in Europe was strengthened and its influence on Poland increased. France succeeded in weakening Austria. The War of the Polish Succession was waged in accordance with the prevailing political system at that time. Western Europe cordon strategy (especially from Austria). Despite individual battles, strategist, the goal in this war was not to defeat the enemy army, but to, relying on fortresses, disrupt enemy communications with small forces. The troops were evenly distributed over important strategic points, carried out complex maneuvers, trying to intercept the probable routes of movement of the enemy troops and tie down his actions. During the conduct of the battle, linear tactics were used. The war confirmed the importance of coordinating the efforts of the coalition troops and interaction ground forces and naval forces.

G. P. Mikhailovsky.

Materials of the Soviet military encyclopedia in 8 volumes, volume 6: Military objects - Radio compass. 672 p., 1978.

POLISH HERITAGE. The War of the Polish Succession was fought in 1733-1735 between Russia, Austria and Saxony on the one hand and France on the other. The reason for the war was the election of the king to the Polish throne after the death of Augustus II (1733). France nominated S. Leshchinsky, whose approval would be a significant political victory for France, could undermine Russian influence in the Commonwealth, lead to the creation of a bloc of states against Russia under the leadership of France. Russia and Austria supported the Saxon elector Friedrich August (see August III). The tsarist government, at the request of a group of Polish magnates, brought its troops into Poland. On September 12, 1733, at the Sejm in Warsaw, Leszczynski was elected king. Part of the gentry and magnates on October 5, in the territory occupied by Russian troops, elected Friedrich August to the throne. During the outbreak of hostilities, Russian troops occupied Torun in January 1734, and in February, repulsing the attack of the French landing under the leadership of the Marquis de Plelo, besieged Gdansk. On July 7, 1734, Gdansk capitulated and Leszczynski fled. Most of the Polish magnates went over to the side of Augustus III. The tsarist government, leaving part of the troops in Poland, sent the corps of P. P. Lassi in the summer of 1735 to help Austria, which suffered defeat in 1734 from the French troops in the battles of Parma and Guastalla. The war ended with the signing on November 18 of the Vienna Peace of 1738 (preliminary - on October 5, 1735) between Austria and France, which was joined in 1739 by Russia, Poland and others. France recognized Poland. King August III, her protege - S. Leshchinsky - renounced claims to the Polish throne, but received Lorraine, which, after his death, was to go to France. As a result of the war, the international positions of the tsarist government were strengthened, its influence on Poland increased, and France achieved the weakening of Austria.

A. L. Goldberg. Leningrad.

Soviet historical encyclopedia. In 16 volumes. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1973-1982. Volume 11. PERGAMUM - RENUVEN. 1968.

Literature: Buturlin D.P., Voen. history of campaigns of Russians in the XVIII century, part 3, St. Petersburg, 1823; Guerrier V., The struggle for the Polish. throne in 1733, M., 1862; Essays on the history of the USSR. Russia in the 2nd quarter. XVIII century., M., 1957; Massuet P., Histoire de la derniere guerre et des negotiations pour la paix, v. 1-2, Amst., 1736-37; Beyrich R., Kursachsen und die polnische Thronfolge 1733-36, Lpz., 1913; Carre H., L "héroique aventure du comte de Plélo et l" expédition de Dantzig, P., 1946; Strobl W., Österreich und der polnische Thron 1733, (W.), 1950 (Diss.); Rostworowski E., O polska korone. Politika Francji w latach 1725-1733, Wr.-Kr., 1958.

Read further:

The whole world in the XVIII century (chronological table).

Literature:

Essays on the history of the USSR. period of feudalism. Russia in the second quarter of the 18th century. M., 1957;

History of Poland. T. 1. Ed. 2nd. M., 1956.

Buturlin D.P., Military. history of campaigns of Russians in the XVIII century, part 3, St. Petersburg, 1823;

Guerrier V., The struggle for the Polish. throne in 1733, M., 1862;

Massuet P., Histoire de la derniere guerre et des negotiations pour la paix, v. 1-2, Amst., 1736-37;

Beyrich R., Kursachsen und die polnische Thronfolge 1733-36, Lpz., 1913;

Carre H., L "héroique aventure du comte de Plélo et l" expédition de Dantzig, P., 1946;

Strobl W., Österreich und der polnische Thron 1733, (W.), 1950 (Diss.);

Rostworowski E., O polska korone. Politika Francji w latach 1725-1733, Wr.-Kr., 1958.

§ 1. War for the "Polish inheritance"

French diplomacy, having suffered a temporary defeat in an attempt to aggravate Swedish-Russian relations, focused on Poland. In the early 30s of the XVIII century. European powers actively discussed the issue of the heir of the Polish king Augustus II the Strong. Austria and Russia have been quite unanimous on the Polish question since the 1920s. Both powers were interested in maintaining the unrestrained gentry "democracy" in Poland, which guaranteed Poland's position as a weak power. True, Austria, like Prussia, was not averse to organizing the "partition" of Poland. However, Russia, despite its claims against Poland for non-fulfillment of the terms of the agreement of 1686 on the guarantee of freedom of religion for Protestants and Orthodox, was against such a division.

Among the contenders for the Polish throne were the Prussian-Austrian candidacy of the Portuguese Prince Emmanuel, the French candidate Stanislav Leshchinsky, the father-in-law of Louis XV, and the Russian candidate, the son of the Polish king Augustus II Augustus-Frederick. From 1733, after the death of the Polish king, the European powers became more active in their actions. At diplomatic receptions in Warsaw there were frank bargaining.

Austria and Russia entered into a defensive alliance with the Elector of Saxony for 18 years. At the same time, Augustus pledged to preserve, if he became king, the "form of government" of Poland.

Meanwhile, France was feverishly urging Sweden to enter the war for Stanisław Leshchinsky. Abundant bribery (which was widespread in eighteenth-century diplomacy) did the trick. In September 1733, in a wide field near Warsaw, where up to 60,000 gentry gathered on horseback, in the pouring rain, for 8 hours, Primate Fyodor Pototsky circled the ranks of the gentry, expressing their will with loud cries. Stanislav Leshchinsky was elected by the majority. But the minority, using the famous rule of "liberum veto", requiring complete unanimity in the affairs of the Sejm, meanwhile sent to Russia the most original document - the "Declaration of Goodwill" with a call to protect the "form of government" in Poland. Among the "benevolent" were: the great marshal - Mniszek, the bishop of Krakow - Lipsky, the Radziwills, the Lubomirskys, Sapieha and others. Russia thus received a real reason for intervention, which was not slow to take advantage. The war for the "Polish inheritance" began.

Russian 20,000th corps under the command of General P.P. Lassi occupied the suburbs of Warsaw - Prague. In the meantime, in Grochow, also near Warsaw, the "confederation" elected August III Frederick (Saxon elector) as the Polish king.

Leshchinsky was forced to retire to Gdansk, hoping entirely for military assistance from France. In January 1734, after the capture of Thorn, Russian troops besieged Gdansk. In April 1734, a French squadron arrived here, but the Russian fleet put it to flight. A 2,000-strong landing force was also taken prisoner. Gdansk surrendered and recognized Augustus III. Stanislav Leshchinsky secretly fled to France. Thus, the Russian troops approved their candidate for Polish throne.

Austria practically did not participate in hostilities, as it was involved in a hasty war with France (1733-1735). Faithful to the Austro-Russian alliance, Russia managed to provide assistance to Austria as well. The appearance of Russian troops on the Rhine made a great impression and contributed to the end of this war.

Having won the struggle for the "Polish inheritance", Russia worsened its position in relations with England. The conciliatory policy of Russia towards England was to end with an alliance treaty. But the matter was spoiled by Biron, who hastily concluded (of course, for a huge bribe) a treaty most advantageous for English trade for 15 years, thereby postponing the conclusion of the political treatise necessary for Russia.

French diplomacy, having lost in Poland, meanwhile transferred its efforts to the southern link of the anti-Russian "eastern barrier" - to Turkey.

At the end of 1732, Augustus II, King of Poland, Elector of Saxony, an ally of Peter the Great in the Great Northern War, died. The Polish throne became vacant and two candidates claimed it: the son of the late August III of Saxony and the one already known to us by northern war Stanislav Leshchinsky, protege of France and leader of the Russophobic party.

It is clear that this last candidacy was unacceptable for Russia, since it deprived her of peace on her western frontier. Therefore, the St. Petersburg cabinet demanded that the Seimas remove it. However, this presentation remained fruitless. Leshchinsky's party grew stronger, and in August 1733 he was elected king.

This election did not take Russia by surprise. Anticipating such a turn of affairs, the government of Empress Anna began to concentrate troops on the Lithuanian border in the spring. On July 31, Field Marshal Lassi crossed the frontier with 20,000 men, captured Lithuania and Courland, and in the twentieth of September approached the Vistula.

Leshchinsky went to Danzig - a window to Europe, from where he could expect the help of his son-in-law Louis XV. Lassi occupied Prague and Warsaw, where he proclaimed Augustus III king and took up winter quarters at Łowicz and Skierniewice. However, already in December, he received an order to go to Danzig and went there with 12,000 detachments (the number of Russian troops in Poland and Lithuania reached 50,000, but most had to be left in the country to organize the rear, support the Saxon party and monitor the hordes of the Commonwealth ruin).

Subsequently, hostilities concentrated almost exclusively around Danzig, where Leshchinsky settled down with 20,000 troops (part of the Swedish and French volunteers, part of the Poles). On February 23, siege work began, and on March 5, Minich arrived there, taking over the main command.

The siege of Danzig lasted four months. France, having openly taken the side of Leshchinsky, began military operations against Russia and Austria (which also supported the Saxon candidacy). The French fleet, entering the Baltic Sea, tried to interrupt the communication of the siege army with Russia and landed troops at the mouth of the Vistula. On the other hand, the king of Prussia declared neutrality and prevented the delivery of siege artillery through his possessions. Munnich carried on a long and unpleasant correspondence with Friedrich Wilhelm and finally resorted to a trick: siege mortars were delivered to the Russian army from Saxony in closed carriages under the guise of crews of the Elector of Württemberg.

Nevertheless, alternating bombing with assaults, Minich captured most of the suburbs. Attempts by the Poles to unblock Danzig ended in failure for them, 17,000 were defeated six times by the weakest Russian detachment. On June 17, the French landing corps laid down weapons in the composition of 4 regiments (5000 people) at Weikselmünde. Thus ended the first clash between the Russians and the French in history. Leshchinsky, disguised, fled - and on July 8, 1734, Danzig surrendered. The capture of Danzig cost us no more than 3,000 men, mainly during the unsuccessful assault on Gabelberg (120 officers, 2,000 lower ranks). By the end of the siege, we had up to 16,000 men.

Leshchinsky's cause has since been lost, and his supporters have lost heart. Numerous Polish militias did not represent any serious enemy. The Polish army was engaged in strife and brought the Russians only fatigue with transitions. Sometimes, - writes Adjutant Minicha Manstein, large masses of Poles approached the Russian detachment, spreading rumors that they wanted to give battle, but before the Russians had time to fire two cannon shots, the Poles were already fleeing. Never did a Russian detachment of 300 people turn off the road to avoid 3,000 Poles, because the Russians are used to beating them at all meetings ... Little by little, the Polish troops dispersed to their homes, and the Russians could easily take up winter quarters in the country of Augustus III.

There was nothing to do in Poland. In the campaign of 1735, the cabinet decided to move Russian troops to Germany, to provide succursus to the Caesar, whose army fought on the Rhine with the French.

On June 8, 1735, Lassi with a 20,000-strong corps moved from Poland through Silesia and Bohemia to Bavaria and arrived in Nuremberg on July 30 (the Austrians took over the allowance). Until now, the campaign has been carried out safely, - Lassi reported from Nuremberg, - the soldiers had no need for food and no complaints came from anyone to the army. It is very surprising in these parts that a large army is kept in such good order; many come from distant places to watch our army...

In September, the army arrived on the Rhine near Philipsburg. Never before have Russian eagles flown so far to the West, but they never had to measure their strength with an equivalent enemy in this war. The French had already concluded a truce, and soon a peace with both empires.

In November, Lassi's corps moved back to Russia - a new war began in the steppes of Ukraine.

In the early 1930s, Polish problems were at the center of attention of European diplomacy due to the deteriorating health of King Augustus II. Austria, Sweden and Prussia even began to discuss projects for the division of Poland in the event of his death. The Russian government reacted negatively to this idea.

Russian-Polish relations in those years were of a complex nature and were often far from friendly. The Polish government intended to retain the Right-Bank Ukraine and Belarus, delayed the recognition of the imperial title for the Russian tsars, refused to guarantee Russian conquests in the Baltic states: it itself laid claim not only to Livonia, but also to Courland. That is why the St. Petersburg court was not indifferent to the question of who would take the Polish throne, and one of the main tasks of Russian foreign policy towards Poland was the preservation of the Polish gentry "republic" with all its attributes, which made it possible to exert an undoubted influence on the election of the king; royal Russia did not want to strengthen Poland and establish absolutism there.

On February 1, 1733, the Polish King August II died. This news sounded in European capitals as a call to start the War for the Polish Succession. The issue of a new Polish king was discussed by the governments of European countries long before the death of Augustus II. France and Sweden actively nominated their protege - Stanislav Leshchinsky, father-in-law of the French king Louis XV. Russia sought to establish a friendly candidate on the Polish throne, supporting the Elector of Saxony Augustus, the son of Augustus II.

Back in December 1732, an agreement was signed in Berlin between Russia, Austria and Prussia, according to which the contracting parties pledged to preserve the internal structure of Poland and not allow a protege of France to the Polish throne. The candidacy of the Portuguese Prince Emmanuel was proposed as the new Polish king. But this treaty did not actually enter into force: the Vienna Treaty did not ratify it. In addition, after the death of August II, it became quite obvious that the Portuguese prince had no chance of becoming the king of Poland. Only the party of the Elector of Saxony could really resist Stanislav Leshchinsky and his supporters. Leszczynski's "party" had very great influence in Poland and was financially supported by France through its ambassador in Warsaw. Therefore, Leshchinsky, closely associated with French, Swedish and Turkish interests, was hostile to both Russia and Austria.

Supporting the Elector of Saxony, the St. Petersburg court demanded that, having received the Polish crown, he should renounce his claims to Livonia and leave the form of government in Courland intact. At first, Augustus refused to take on any obligations, but, making sure that without the support of Russia and Austria, he would lose in the fight against Leshchinsky, he agreed on August 19, 1733, the Russian representative F.K. signed an agreement on the conclusion of a defensive alliance for a period of 18 years. The allies guaranteed each other's European possessions and pledged to provide mutual military assistance if necessary. The Elector of Saxony recognized the imperial title for Anna Ioannovna, and upon receiving the Polish throne, he undertook to achieve recognition of this title by Poland. August promised not to lay claim to Livonia and to preserve the old form of government in Courland and Poland. Russia, in turn, undertook to assist the elector in ascending the Polish throne through diplomatic means, money, and, if necessary, military forces. The Vienna court undertook to persuade England to remove Leshchinsky from the struggle for the Polish crown. This diplomatic action was not particularly successful, the British government declared neutrality and did not interfere in the Polish conflict. Nevertheless, it still kept Sweden from providing military assistance to France and Leshchinsky in the War of the Polish Succession.

On February 22, 1733, in St. Petersburg, at a meeting of the cabinet ministers with members of the Senate and the generals, a decision was made: if other methods to prevent the election of Stanislav turn out to be insufficient, resort to military means. To this end, in the spring of 1733, Russian troops were posted along the Polish and Lithuanian borders, and on August 3 they were ordered to enter Lithuania.

Abundant bribery (which was widespread in eighteenth-century diplomacy) did the trick. In September 1733, in a wide field near Warsaw, where up to 60,000 gentry gathered on horseback, in the pouring rain, for 8 hours, Primate Fyodor Pototsky circled the ranks of the gentry, expressing their will with loud cries. Stanislav Leshchinsky was elected by the majority. But the minority, using the famous rule of "Liberum veto", which requires complete unanimity in the affairs of the Sejm, meanwhile sent to Russia the most original document - the "Declaration of Goodwill" with a call to protect the "form of government" in Poland. Among the "benevolent" were: the great marshal - Mnishek, Bishop of Krakow - Lipsky, Radziwill, Lubomirsky, Sapieha and others. Russia thus received a real reason for intervention, which was not slow to take advantage. The war for the "Polish inheritance" began.

The minority, who disagreed with the results of the elections, after an armed clash with their opponents, went to the suburbs of Warsaw, Prague, and prepared to continue the struggle. Leshchinsky did not have an army, so at the end of September he left for Gdansk, where he expected help from the French fleet and actions in support of Sweden, Turkey and Prussia.

But in Berlin and Istanbul they preferred to take a wait-and-see attitude and declared that they would remain neutral in Polish affairs. The Swedish government did not dare to provide Leshchinsky with auxiliary troops without convening the Riksdag, and in November, listening to the advice of the British ambassador, announced to the French and Polish representatives that they would not openly help Leshchinsky.

The question of such interference was discussed in St. Petersburg at a meeting of the cabinet ministers with members of the Senate and the generals back in February, when a resolution was adopted: if necessary, use military means to solve Polish problems. To this end, in the spring of 1733, troops were posted along the Polish and Lithuanian borders, which in August received orders to march to Lithuania.

On September 20, 1733, a 20,000-strong Russian corps under the command of General P.P. Lassi was concentrated near the Warsaw suburb of Prague to support the Elector of Saxony when he was elected to the Polish throne. September 24 (October 5), 1733 in Grochow (near Warsaw), August III was elected king of Poland. Russian troops remained in the vicinity of Warsaw until the end of the year, when they received an order to head for Gdansk, where Leshchinsky was hiding. An armed struggle began, which dragged on for two years.

Supporters of Leszczynski concentrated in Gdansk, hoping for French support, hoping that French troops would occupy Saxony and force Augustus III to renounce the Polish throne, while French warships would arrive to defend Gdansk. In January 1734, Russian troops occupied Thorn, its inhabitants swore allegiance to August III, and then the troops approached Gdansk and laid siege to it. But the small size of the Russian army, the lack of funds for the siege, and the unfavorable season did not allow the capture of the city. The slowdown in hostilities caused discontent in St. Petersburg, General P.P. Lassi was recalled, and Field Marshal B.Kh. Minich took his place, who began active preparations for the capture of Gdansk.

Attempts by French diplomacy to get help from Prussia, Sweden and Turkey to Leshchinsky were unsuccessful. The court of Versailles had to defend its protege on its own. In April 1734, a French squadron consisting of 11 ships appeared in the Baltic Sea. In May, to help the troops besieging Gdansk, a Russian fleet of 14 battleships, 9 frigates and several small craft. The French squadron was put to flight, and the two thousandth landing force was captured and sent to St. Petersburg. In July, Gdansk capitulated and recognized the power of Augustus III.

The complete defeat of France at Gdansk caused deep chagrin and annoyance in Sweden. Already after the capitulation of Gdansk in Swedish government circles in November, at the French request, the question of sending 10 thousand auxiliary troops to Stanislav was again discussed; but in Stockholm they feared the outbreak of war with Russia because of this; the Swedish Defense Commission even developed a plan of military measures in the event of Russia's action against Sweden. In November, at a session of the Riksdag, it was decided to refuse military assistance to France and Stanislav.

Under these conditions, the Polish nobility was forced to agree to the demands of Russia and Austria. The war between Russia and Poland ended in 1735 with the recognition by the Polish aristocratic clique of the Russian and Austrian candidate Augustus III, who took the throne with the help of Russian troops and Austrian diplomatic support.

Disguised as a peasant, Leshchinsky fled the country. The Czartoryski, Branicki and other magnates easily turned away from the loser, recognizing Augustus III. However, the camp of Leshchinsky's supporters did not disintegrate immediately; the departure of the magnates even gave it a radical connotation. In some places, the common people rose up against the Saxon and Russian troops. The longest, until 1738, was the Kurpie Forest (in the north-east of Mazovia).

In 1736, in view of military failures, Louis XV undertook to persuade Leshchinsky to renounce the Polish crown (Preliminary Peace Treaty). After five years of sluggish hostilities, in which Spain and Sardinia also participated, the war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Vienna in 1738 between Austria and France, which was joined in 1739 by Russia, the Commonwealth and other countries. The treaty solved the problem of the Polish throne and contained some territorial redistribution of European lands.

Austria ceded to France a number of territories in Italy and Germany, renounced the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (received under the Treaty of Utrecht) in favor of the younger line of the Spanish Bourbons, and transferred part of the Duchy of Milan to Sardinia.

France guaranteed the Pragmatic sanction, recognized Augustus III as the Polish king. Stanislav Leshchinsky received the title of king for life, Lorraine and the county of Bar were transferred to him, which, after his death, were to go to France. The Duke of Lorraine, the son-in-law of Emperor Charles VI, received Parma, Pianchetto and Tuscany in Italy as compensation.

Ultimately, France succeeded in the Franco-Austrian dialogue, annexing Lorraine and securing the presence of the Spanish Bourbons in Italy.