- Also called:
- Augustus Frederick
- Byname:
- Augustus the Strong
- Polish:
- August II Wettin or August Mocny
- German:
- August Friedrich or August der Starke
- Born:
- May 12, 1670, Dresden, Saxony [Germany]
- Died:
- February 1, 1733, Warsaw, Poland (aged 62)
- House / Dynasty:
- Wettin dynasty
Augustus II
-
Who was Augustus II?
Augustus II, also known as Frederick Augustus I, was the king of Poland and elector of Saxony. Born in Dresden, Saxony, in 1670, his reign as king of Poland began in 1697. To become king, Augustus II converted to Catholicism, which caused some controversy with his Lutheran Saxon subjects. In 1699, Poland, under Augustus II, regained Podolia and Ukraine from the Ottoman Empire through the Treaty of Carlowitz.
Augustus II's reign marked the beginning of Polandâs decline as a European power. Seeking to expand his territory, he initiated the Great Northern War by invading Livonia in 1700. This led to economic ruin in Poland and internal conflict, with Sweden eventually forcing Augustus II to abdicate in 1706. Though he regained the throne in 1709 with Russian support, his later attempts to strengthen the monarchy were unsuccessful. Augustus II died in 1733, triggering the War of the Polish Succession.
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What countries did Augustus II rule over?
Augustus II, also known as Frederick Augustus I, was the King of Poland and Elector of Saxony. As elector, he ruled over Saxony, initiating an economically draining bond between Saxony and Poland that lasted until 1768.
Though he regained Polandâs former provinces of Podolia and Ukraine, his reign marked the beginning of Polandâs decline as a European power. Augustus II sought to conquer Livonia, a former Polish province, for his own Saxon house of Wettin. Although the Polish Diet refused to support him, he invaded Livonia in 1700, which began the Great Northern War and ruined Poland economically.
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How did Augustus II become king of Poland?
Augustus II became the king of Poland in 1697 after the death of John III Sobieski, during an election with 18 candidates. To improve his chances, Augustus II, who was also elector of Saxony, converted to Catholicism. He won the election because he arrived last with fresh funds after his rivals had spent their money. Shortly after his coronation, Augustus expelled his French rival, François-Louis de Bourbon, from the country. In 1699, the Turkish War concluded, and Podolia and Ukraine were returned to Poland.
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What major events happened during Augustus II's reign?
Augustus II's reign as the king of Poland and elector of Saxony was marked by significant events that shaped the course of Polish history.
- Election as King: Augustus II ascended to the Polish throne in 1697. To secure his position, he converted to Catholicism, which stirred discontent among his Lutheran Saxon subjects.
- Territorial Gains: In 1699, the Treaty of Carlowitz saw Poland regain Podolia, Kamieniec, and Ukraine west of the Dnieper River from the Ottoman Empire.
- Great Northern War: Augustus II, aiming to expand his influence, allied with Russia and Denmark against Sweden, leading to the Great Northern War in 1700. This conflict had devastating economic consequences for Poland.
- Treaty of AltranstĂ€dt: In 1706, Charles XII of Sweden forced Augustus to sign the Treaty of AltranstĂ€dt, in which he renounced his claim to the Polish throne and recognized StanisĆaw LeszczyĆski as king.
- Restoration to the Throne: Following Russia's victory over Sweden at the Battle of Poltava in 1709, Augustus, supported by Tsar Peter I the Great, reclaimed the Polish crown.
- Russian Intervention: Russia's growing influence in Polish affairs became evident when it intervened in a dispute between Augustus and Polish nobles.
- Loss of Status: By the end of Augustus II's reign, Poland had diminished as a major European power.
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How did Augustus II influence the history of Poland and Saxony?
Augustus II, as King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, significantly impacted both regions, though his influence on Poland is viewed more negatively.
Poland
His reign is considered a low point in Polish history, marked by political anarchy and foreign interference. Augustus II involved Poland in the Great Northern War against Sweden, which led to economic ruin and invasion. Although he regained the throne with Russian support, Poland became increasingly dependent on Russia and lost its status as a major European power.
Saxony
As Elector of Saxony, Augustus II fostered economic development and trade and embellished the city of Dresden. He sought to strengthen Saxony's position through territorial acquisitions but faced distrust and suspicion from neighboring powers.
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Augustus II (born May 12, 1670, Dresden, Saxony [Germany]âdied February 1, 1733, Warsaw, Poland) was the king of Poland and elector of Saxony (as Frederick Augustus I). Though he regained Polandâs former provinces of Podolia and Ukraine, his reign marked the beginning of Polandâs decline as a European power.
The second son of Elector John George III of Saxony, Augustus succeeded his elder brother John George IV as elector in 1694. After the death of John III Sobieski of Poland (1696), Augustus became one of 18 candidates for the Polish throne. To further his chances, he converted to Catholicism, thereby alienating his Lutheran Saxon subjects and causing his wife, a Hohenzollern princess, to leave him. Shortly after his coronation (1697) the âTurkish War,â which had begun in 1683 and in which he had participated intermittently since 1695, was concluded; by the Treaty of Carlowitz in 1699, Poland received Podolia, with Kamieniec (Kamenets) and Ukraine west of the Dnieper River from the Ottoman Empire.
Seeking to conquer the former Polish province of Livonia, then in Swedish hands, for his own Saxon house of Wettin, Augustus formed an alliance with Russia and Denmark against Sweden. Although the Polish Diet refused to support him, he invaded Livonia in 1700, thus beginning the Great Northern War (1700â21), which ruined Poland economically. In July 1702 Augustusâs forces were driven back and defeated by King Charles XII of Sweden at KliszĂłw, northeast of KrakĂłw. Deposed by one of the Polish factions in July 1704, he fled to Saxony, which the Swedes invaded in 1706. Charles XII forced Augustus to sign the Treaty of AltranstĂ€dt (September 1706), formally abdicating and recognizing Swedenâs candidate, StanisĆaw LeszczyĆski, as king of Poland (see AltranstĂ€dt, treaties of). In 1709, after Russia defeated Sweden at the Battle of Poltava, Augustus declared the treaty void and, supported by Tsar Peter I the Great, again became king of Poland.
When Russia intervened (1716â17) in an internal dispute between Augustus and dissident Polish nobles (Confederation of TarnogrĂłd) and, in 1720, annexed Livonia, the king saw the danger of Russiaâs growing influence in Polish affairs. He tried unsuccessfully to create a hereditary Polish monarchy transmissible to his one legitimate son, Frederick Augustus II (eventually king of Poland as Augustus III), and to secure other lands for his many illegitimate children. But his hopes of establishing a strong monarchy came to naught. By the end of his reign, Poland had lost its status as a major European power, and when he died the War of the Polish Succession broke out. A man of extravagant and luxurious tastes, he did much to develop Saxon industry and trade and greatly embellished the city of Dresden.