Rola spraw wojskowo-skarbowych w walce politycznej na sejmie 1786 roku

Abstract

The military-fiscal problems played an important part in the political activity of opposition during the Seym of 1786. The unpopularity of the court’s military policy gave facilities to opposition for setting the Unity of the Court Party at variance. The passive behaviour of the king Stanisław August was conducive to that while the opposition was showing a great amount of activity. There was a sign of this situation - the carrying of rider to resolution approving the activity of the Standing Council’s War Departament. The tenor of this rider does not deserve such a severe criticism how it was suggested by previous historical opinions. The analogous success of opposition was connected with approval of the Polish Treasury Commitee’s activity. These facts show that the opposition’s programme did not limit to negation but it contained constructive elements. The criticism of unsuccessful regulations enacted by the War Departament played an important part in discussion about military subjects. The opposition attacked: - The way of formulation of these regulations. - The transgression of War Departament’s powers established by resolution from 1776. - The merits of military problem’s solution. For the opposition the criticism of War Departament was the part of action against the Standing Council. The particular streams of opposition set their hopes on that action. The above-mentioned discussion was the announcement of political changes which appeared at the beginning of the Great Seym-especially the resolution from November 3/4th, 1788 repealed the War Departament of Standing Council.