The Polish move towards independence from Russia began in 1788 when Russia was distracted by war with both Sweden and Turkey. The Polish Diet expanded the army rapidly in order to ensure the continuance of independence. On 3 May 1790 the king and self-styled patriots – who advocated hereditary monarchy and an end to legal rebellion – succeeded in getting a new constitution through the diet.

William Doyle, The Oxford History of the French Revolution, 2nd edn (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002), pp. 165-66.