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Which powers remained separate for Poland and Lithuania within the Commonwealth?
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Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
Poland's territory in 1634, during the reign of Władysław IV Vasa.
Under the terms of the Union of Lublin (1569), which established the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Poland and Lithuania were united into a single, federated state ruled by a jointly elected monarch.12
Despite this union, the two nations remained formally distinct, equal components of the federation. To maintain this duality, they retained separate powers in the following areas:
- Territory: Each nation maintained its own distinct territorial boundaries.12
- Laws: Both Poland and Lithuania kept their own legal systems.12
- Administration: Each maintained its own civil administration.12
- Treasury: The two nations managed separate financial systems and treasuries.12
- Army: Each component retained its own military forces.12
While they participated in a joint Sejm (legislature) and cooperated on foreign policy, this duality of dignities and institutions persisted until it was finally abolished in 1791.132