Stanisław II August, known also by his regal Latin name Stanislaus II Augustus, was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1764 to 1795, and the last monarch of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Born into wealthy Polish aristocracy, Poniatowski arrived as a diplomat at the Russian imperial court in Saint Petersburg in 1755 at the age of 22 and became intimately involved with the future empress Catherine the Great. With her connivance, he was elected King of Poland by the Polish Diet in September 1764 following the death of Augustus III. Contrary to expectations, Poniatowski attempted to reform and strengthen the large but ailing Commonwealth. His efforts were met with external opposition from neighbouring Prussia, Russia and Austria, all committed to keeping the Commonwealth weak. From within he was opposed by conservative interests, which saw the reforms as a threat to their traditional liberties and privileges granted centuries earlier.
The defining crisis of his early reign was the War of the Bar Confederation (1768–1772) that led to the First Partition of Poland (1772). The later part of his reign saw reforms wrought by the Diet (1788–1792) and the Constitution of 3 May 1791. These reforms were overthrown by the 1792 Targowica Confederation and by the Polish–Russian War of 1792, leading directly to the Second Partition of Poland (1793), the Kościuszko Uprising (1794) and the final and Third Partition of Poland (1795), marking the end of the Commonwealth. Stripped of all meaningful power, Poniatowski abdicated in November 1795 and spent the last years of his life as a captive in Saint Petersburg's Marble Palace.
A controversial figure in Poland's history, he is criticized primarily for his failure to resolutely stand against and prevent the partitions, which led to the destruction of the Polish state. On the other hand, he is remembered as a great patron of the arts and sciences who laid the foundation for the Commission of National Education, the first institution of its kind in the world, and sponsored many architectural landmarks.
Sol turns thousands of years of human wisdom from the world’s spiritual traditions into a totally unique personality profile. To get your own profile, check compatibility with friends and much more, download the Sol App today.
Some of their strengths
King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Hardworking, Loyal, Optimistic, Curious, Innovative, and Intelligent.
Smart and Hardworking
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski is someone who is a smart, hardworking, reliable, and loyal person, who is detail-oriented and orderly, but also generous and optimistic. A person who defines themself by their friends and what groups they belong to.
Helpful and Supportive
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski well know them as someone who can be accepting, supportive, and productive, like a garden.
Altruistic and Innovative
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski as someone who is altruistic, inventive, energetic, and socially-conscious.
Who is inventive, open-minded and inquisitive, optimistic and cooperative, and who loves working together with others.
Courageous and Strong
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski is someone who is a risk-taker and a pioneer who only gets stronger through the hardships that are encountered in life.
They are also someone who is balanced, stable, and energetic, who likes the idea of home and family, and who is very comfortable being the person in charge.
Patient and Perseverent
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski tends to be someone who is patient, faithful, hardworking and persistent, and who wants to achieve a lot in life. Who tends to be rather private when it comes to expressing feelings, enjoys being independent and self-sufficient, and who is not afraid of any obstacle.
Some of King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski's challenges
While King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski can be Stubborn, Pleasure-seeking, Suspicious, Difficult, Perfectionist, Indecisive, and Unrealistic.
Suspicious and Stubborn
One of King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski's key challenges is that they are someone who can be suspicious and stubborn.
King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive.
Anxious and Inflexible
King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski is someone who can be high-strung, impatient, and inflexible, who can be "penny wise and pound foolish", have poor listening skills, and who can be intolerant of people who share a different world view.
Callous and Stubborn
Finally, King of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski also can come across as cold and unemotional, be too dismissive of others' opinions, and be overly suspicious, selfish and crafty.