Free City of Cracow

See also: Republic of Poland

The free city of Cracow (in Polish: Wolne Miasto Kraków ), also called Republic of Cracow (in Polish: Rzeczpospolita Krakowska ), was a “city-State” created by the Congrès of Vienna in 1815 and controlled until in 1846 by its three powerful neighbors, the Russia, the Prussia and the Austria. It was a remainder of old the Duché of Warsaw, duchy which was divided between the three empires in 1815.

The free city was born officially the May 3rd 1815 and placed under the protection of the three powers. It is formed of the town of Cracow and its periphery (1164 km ²). In 1815, it counts 96.000 inhabitants (mainly Polish) including 25.000 townsmen.

It receives a Constitution which gives him a little autonomy. The original character of the Republic of Cracow continues: abolition of the Serfdom, freedom of speech and of meeting, prohibition to the authorities to confiscate goods, prohibition of the arbitrary arrests. The Legislative power is exerted by a Parliament of the representatives of the city, villages, university, Church and Justice. The Executive power is exerted by the Senate (13 members: the president and 8 senators chosen by the Parliament of the representatives, 2 senators named by the Church, 2 senators appointed by the University). The laws took as a starting point the Code Napoleon (Civil code French). The official language is the Polish. The free City can make commercial exchanges with Russia, Prussia and Austria without customs duties not being perceived. The Université jagellonne of Cracow can accept students coming from the Polish territories that Russia, Prussia and Austria had divided themselves.

During the Insurrection of November (1830 - 1831), Cracow is used as a basis back, making it possible to feed out of weapons the patriots of the Royaume of the Congress. After the failure of the insurrection, the free City loses its autonomy quickly, more and more of restrictions being brought to the constitution. Of 1836 with 1841, Cracow is occupied by the Austrian army. In 1846, the city is raised against the Austrian occupants but the insurrection is quickly subdued and the free City of Cracow is annexed by Austria the November 16th 1846.

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