Discussions about Russian History > Imperial Russian History

Why did Catherine II accept partitions of Poland?

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kenmore3233:
If Catherine hadn't acted to take her share of Poland, then Austria and Prussia would have divided Poland amongst themselves.

If Prussia and Austria had swallowed all of Poland themselves, then those powers would have been strengthened relative to Russia, which is something no Russian ruler would have permitted to happen.

It was important for Russia to keep its borders with Prussia and Austria as far to the west as possible. It was better for Russia to have that border redrawn in what was formerly central Poland, as opposed to having the Austrian and Prussian borders drawn along Russia's ancient frontiers. Hence Russia's participation in the partitions.

As to why Russia didn't swallow all of Poland itself, the answer is that if Russia had tried to do this, it would have become embroiled in a major war with Prussia and Austria, which was something Russia wanted to avoid.

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