The constructivist approach to the partition of polish - lithuanian commonwealth - the normalization of unprecedented case

The bachelor thesis is titled “The constructivist approach to the partitions of Polish- Lithuanian Commonwealth-the normalization of unprecedented case”. This unprecedented historical case has shocked the early modern European society, because it was unseen that in the times of peace, European states could simply eliminate one of the monarchies and share its territories. Realism appeared to be the most common approach to the case of the partitions. This paper seeks to analyse this unprecedented historical event in new, unusual viewpoint - constructivist theory of international relations. Therefore, in the light of the theory, this study aims to reveal how the normalization of unprecedented partitions of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was achieved in the international arena of 18th century. The first goal of this paper is to construct theoretical background explaining the normalization of an unprecedented case in international relations. In order to do so, the constructivist theoretical approach has been applied, because it can be most useful while explaining the ideas, arguments, rhetoric, and actions that were taken to achieve the normalization of partitions. Despite the fact that constructivism is not homogeneous, one of the fundamental statements remains relevant to all kinds of constructivism– the reality (also international relations) is socially constructed product. Reality is perceived as a raw material and the actors of particular historical moment define it themselves. The normalization of something that has never occurred is also part of the reality construction process. The second goal is to present methodological principles and research design. Two methods – case study and discourse analysis, has been applied in this study. The first one is used to reveal ideas, processes and factors of 18th century Europe that are relevant for this research and to present the case itself. The discourse analysis is used to deeply and systematically analyze the specific documents on the partitions. After overviewing and explaining 18th century context, that is significant to the analysis of partitions normalization process, and taking a brief look to the sequence, uniqueness and importance of this historical case, this paper moves to examination of two measures that has been used to convince international arena about the normality of unprecedented elimination of the state. The first measure is argumentation and rhetoric in the documents on the partitions of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. A discourse of the documents is dominated by rhetoric, which emphasizes the "guilt" of the state itself on the partitions. The texts are written in the manner to make the international community believe in legitimacy, necessity, and validity of the partitions. The discourse implies that Russia, Prussia, and Austria were taking care of peace and well-being of Europe and should not receive any “punishment” or condemnation for such unprecedented elimination of the state. The second measure is cartography. Map-making was an essential part of diplomacy and negotiations of the 18th century. The three great neighbors comprehended the significance of cartography very well and took advantage of it to legitimize their aggressive actions on Polish – Lithuanian Commonwealth. To wipe the state of the maps as soon as possible was a strategically essential task for them. Therefore mapping was initiated instantly after every partition and new maps were supplemented by biased introduction filled with the same rhetoric as the documents. To sum up, this bachelor thesis can contribute to already existing research on the partitions in two ways. On one hand, by demonstrating the possibility to analyse this unique international case in new point of view- through constructivism theory of international relations. On the other hand, by providing unusual insights on the partitions of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as the example of unprecedented case normalization