Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko (1746 – 1817) is a national hero Polish, Belorusse Lithuania N and , general and directing rising of 1794 against the Russia. It takes part in the Guerre of American independence like Colonel in the continental army at the sides of Washington. As a sign of recognition of its services, it is raised by the Congrès with the Grade of Brigadier general in and naturalized Citoyen of the the United States in 1783.

Its name is written Tadas Kosciuška in Lituanien, ТадэвушКасцюшка (Tadevuš Kaściuška) in Belorusse.

Biography

Youth

Tadeusz Kościuszko is born the February 4th 1746, in the Village of Mereczowszczyzna, in the Grand-Duchy of Lithuania, in the lituano-Polish confederation (now Kosava in Bielorussia); he is the son of Ludwik Tadeusz Kościuszko and Tekla (born Ratomska). Its ancestor was certain Konstanty, a Courtisan of the king Sigismond I {{er}}, which granted to him in 1509 the village of Sihnievičy (in Polish: Siechnowicze ) and of the important functions, and the anoblit. However, at the time where Tadeusz the day sees, its family is already somewhat impoverished and the village, with its small manor, is its single property.

In 1755, Tadeusz and his/her Józef older brother start studies in a school of Piarist, with Lubieszów. After five years, in 1760, one and the other sound constrained to return on their premises, following family problems. Józef is selected to inherit the family property, and Tadeusz decides to embrace the military career.

In 1764, the king Stanislas II Auguste creates the Szkoła Rycerska , a Université which must train officers and qualified servants of the State. The December 18th 1765, Tadeusz Kościuszko makes its entry in the new school and the body of the juniors. Independently of the strictly military subjects, he studies the Histoire of Poland and the world, the Philosophie, the Latin , the Polish, the German and the French, as well as the Droit, the economy, the Géographie, the Arithmétique, the Géométrie and engineering. Graduate, it is promoted with the rank of Capitaine.

Kościuszko in France

In 1769, Kościuszko and its Orłowski colleague see themselves granting a royal purse of studies and, the October 5th, leave for Paris. There, Kościuszko briefly studies with the Academy of the Art schools, but, soon, it realizes that the career of painter does not correspond to his dreams. However, as a foreigner, it can enter no French military academy and it misses funds necessary to follow studies of engineer. However, during five years, Kościuszko studies like external, while going to various conferences and in the libraries of the military academies of Paris. Its stay in France prérévolutionnaire has an enormous influence on its later political sights.

Return in Poland

After the division of Poland of 1772, its neighbors, the Russia, the Prussia and the Austria, annex a broad part of the Polish territory and assoient their influence on the internal policy of the Poland and the Lithuania. The country is constrained to reduce the Polish army to 10.000 soldiers. When Kościuszko returns finally at his place in 1774, there is no more place for him in the armed forces. Its difficult economic situation also breaks any hope of being able to marry and, with the autumn 1775, Kościuszko decides to emigrate.

Dresden and Paris

At the end of 1775, Kościuszko arrives at Dresden, where he hopes to enter the army of the prince-voter of Saxony. However, he is refused and decides to turn over to Paris. There, he learns the news from the release of the Guerre of American independence, which sees the old British colonies of North America revolting against the Crown and starting the combat for independence. The first American successes know a good publicity in France, where the people defend the cause of the revolutionists openly.

The war of American independence

Kościuszko is recruited in France by Silas Deane and Benjamin Franklin. In August 1776, it arrives in America. It is useful initially like volunteer, but the Congress appoints it colonel of the engineers in the continental army the October 18th 1776. Thanks to the recommendation of the prince Adam Kazimierz Czartoryski and of the general Charles Lee, Kościuszko is named with the head of the American army corps of engineers.

It is sent in Pennsylvania to work with the American army. Shortly after its arrival, it reads the Déclaration of independence of the United States. Kościuszko is upset by the document because it finds its own convictions there - if moved that it decides to meet Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration. The two men meet in Virginia little month afterwards. After having spent the day to be discussed of philosophy and other subjects, they do not finish becoming large friends. On several occasions, Kościuszko is invited to Monticello, where it makes prolonged stays.

The first task of Kościuszko in America is the fortification of Philadelphia. The September 24th 1776, Kościuszko receives the order to strengthen banks of the Delaware against a possible British crossing. In spring 1777, it is affected with the Army of North under the orders of the general Horatio Gates. As chief engineer of the army, it directs the construction of several forts and military camps strengthened along the Canadian border . Its work contributes significantly to the success of the American retirement after the battles of Ticonderoga and the victory of Saratoga in 1777.

After the battle, Kościuszko, considered as one of the best engineers of the American service, is charged by George Washington with work with military engineering on the fortress with West Point, on the Hudson River. He asks to be transferred to the Army from the South, where he contributes also significantly to the American victories.

After seven years of service, the October 13rd 1783, Kościuszko is promoted by the Congress with the rank of brigadier general. He sees himself granting the American citizenship, two square kilometers and half of ground in America and an important amount of money. He makes use of the money to help several black slaves to gain their freedom. Moreover, it is allowed within prestigious Société of Cincinnati, one of the three only foreign friends in its rows, and at the American philosophical Company.

Return in Poland

In July 1784, Kościuszko gets under way towards Poland, where it arrives the August 12th. It settles in its village of Siechnowicze. The property, managed by the brother-in-law of Tadeusz, brings back the weak ones but stable profits and Kościuszko decides to limit the Corvée its serfs to two days per week, while it releases all the serfs completely. This gesture is seen by the local Szlachta like a sign of the dangerous Libéralisme of Kościuszko.

At that time, the internal situation in Poland changes quickly. A group important, but still abstract, politicians proposes the need for reforms and the consolidation of the State. Notable political writers like Stanisław Staszic and Hugo Kołłątaj defend the idea of a release of the serfs, the granting of more than rights to the boroughs and the reinforcement of the central authority. These ideas are supported by a broad part of the Szlachta, which also wants the end of the foreign diktat and meddling in the Polish internal businesses.

Finally, the Sejm Wielki of 1788 - 1792 vote reforms necessary. One of the first measurements voted by the new Parliament is the creation of a strong army of 100.000 men to defend the borders of Poland against a foreign aggression. There Kościuszko sees a chance to take again service in the army and to serve its country in the field where it has the most experience. It engages in the army and, the October 12th 1789, is named by the major general king. With this station, it obtains high wages of 12.000 Złoty S per annum, which put a term at its financial problems.

The internal situation in Poland and the reforms of the Polish Constitution of May 3rd, 1791, the first constitution written of the modern era in Europe (a few months before the French constitution of September 3rd, 1791) and the second in the world, after the American constitution of 1787, are looked by the close capacities like a threat for their influence on the Polish policy. The May 14th 1792, the preserving tycoons create the Confédération of Targowica, which requires of the Russian empress Catherine II to help them to reverse the constitution. The May 8th 1792, a Russian army of 100.000 men crosses the Polish border and advances towards Warsaw, thus opening the war of defense of the constitution.

War of defense of the constitution

Although the plan for the creation of a strong army of 100.000 men in Poland was not accomplished because of economic difficulties, the Polish army is well involved and prepared with the war. Before the Russians invaded Poland, Kościuszko is named assistant commander of the 3rd division of infantry of the Crown of the prince Józef Poniatowski. When this last is named commander-in-chief of the whole of the Polish army in May 1792, Kościuszko assumes the command of the unit automatically.

After the treason of the Prussian allies, the army of Lithuania does not oppose the Russian projection. The Polish army is too weak to be opposed to the enemy, who advances in Ukraine, and is withdrawn on western bank of the Bug river, where it gathers and counter-attacks. Victorious with the Battle of Zieleńce (June 18th), Kościuszko is among the first to receive the medal of the military virtue lately created, the highest military distinction of the Poland, still today.

At the time of the following battles of Włodzimierz (July 17th) and of Dubienka (July 18th), Kościuszko pushes back an enemy higher of number and starts to be looked like more shining the Polish military commander of the time. The 1792, the king promotes Kościuszko with the rank of Lieutenant-general of army. However, before the arrival of its nomination to the camp of Kościuszko with Sieciechów, Stanislas Auguste joined the rows of the Confédération of Targowica and goes to the Russians.

Emigration

The capitulation of the king is a heavy blow for Kościuszko, which did not undergo any defeat during the program. With many other notable commanders and Polish politicians, he flees with Dresden, then with Leipzig, where the emigrants start to prepare a rising against the Russian government in Poland. The politicians, gathered around Ignacy Potocki and of Hugo Kołłątaj, contact similar groups of opposition formed in Poland and, in spring 1793, are joined by other politicians and revolutionists, among whom Ignacy Działyński and Karol Prozor.

The August 26th 1792, the French legislative Assemblée decrees in Kościuszko the French citizenship on a purely honorary basis in the honor of its combat in favor of the freedom of its fatherland and the ideas of equality and freedom. After two weeks with Leipzig, Kościuszko goes to Paris, where it tries to gain the French support in the projects of Polish rising.

The January 13rd 1793, the Prussia and the Russia sign the second division of Poland, which is ratified by the Union of Grodno the June 17th. Such a conclusion represents an immense hope for the members of the Confédération of Targowica, who see their action like a defense of the secular privileges of the tycoons, but they are regarded today by the majority of the Polish population as traitors. After the division, Poland becomes a small country of approximately 200.000 Kilomètre S squares and of a population of approximately 4 million inhabitants. The economy is ruined and the support for the cause of the insurrection goes up significantly, in particular because there does not remain any more any serious opposition, with the discredit of Confédération of Targowica.

In June 1793, Kościuszko prepares a plan of rising of the whole of the nation, the mobilization of all the forces and a war against Russia. In Poland, the preparations are slow, and it decides to give its release. However, the situation, into Poland, changes quickly. The Russian and Prussian governments force Poland again to disperse the majority of its armed forces and of the reduced units are recruited by the Russian army. Moreover, in March, the agents tsarists discover the group of the revolutionists of Warsaw and begins the arrest of the politicians and notable Polish military commanders. Kościuszko is constrained to advance the execution of its plan and, the March 15th 1794, it goes to Cracow.

The rising of Kościuszko

During rising, Kościuszko becomes the Naczelnik (commander-in-chief) of the whole of the forces polono-Lithuanians combatant against the Russian occupation and launches the call to the insurrection, famous the Proclamation of Połaniec. Rising lasts several months, turned in particular against the Russians. Its main feature is to integrate many peasants. Kościuszko gains initial successes, in particular the Bataille of Racławice, in particular thanks to these battalions of “reapers”. The west of Poland is raised then against the Prussians. This rising obliges the latter to withdraw their troops engaged in France to bring them in Poland, supporting the victory of the French revolutionary armies.

Admiror of the French and conscious example that the revolution can last only with the support of the farming community, Kościuszko grants certain freedoms by the to him edict of Polaniec. But this one comes too late, after centuries of serfdom, and its effects are limited by the nobility. The general is wounded with the Bataille of Maciejowice and is made captive by the Russians, who imprison it with Saint-Petersbourg. Rising is broken shortly after with the massacre of Praga.

Kościuszko cannot avoid the last division of Poland, in 1795, which completely makes disappear the country from the European chart.

Last years

In 1796, Paul Ier of Russia forgives in Kościuszko, which it releases. In exchange of his oath of honesty, Paul Ier releases also approximately 20.000 Polish political prisoners still interned in the Russian prisons and exiled in Siberia. Kościuszko emigrates with the the United States, but, the following year, it returns in Europe and, in 1798, it arrives at Breville, close to Paris. Always devoted to the Polish cause, Tadeusz Kościuszko takes share with the creation of the Polish Légions. Moreover, the October 17th and the November 6th 1799, it meets Napoleon Bonaparte. However, it does not make confidence with the French consul and decides not to support its ideas of re-creation of Poland under the auspices of the France.

He remains an active politician in the circle of the Polish emigrants in France and, in 1799, is one of the founding members of the Company of the republican Polish Poles (: Towarzystwo Republikanów Polskich ). However, it does not return in the Duché of Warsaw and did not join the reconstituted Polish army, allied in Napoleon. Instead of that, after the fall of Empire of Napoleon in 1815, it meets the tsar Alexandre Ier of Russia to Braunau. Alexandre asks him to go to Warsaw. However, a little later with Vienna, Kościuszko learns that the Congress of the Kingdom of Poland created by the tsar would be always as reduced as the Duché of Warsaw. Kościuszko qualifies this entity of “joke” and, not receiving any reply to the letters which it sent to the tsar, it leaves Vienna and goes to Soleure, in Suisse, where his/her friend Franciszek Zeltner is mayor. Suffering from a poor health and old wounds, Tadeusz Kościuszko dies there of a fall of horse the October 15th 1817.

In 1818, its ashes are transferred to Cracow and are deposited in a crypt of the cathedral Wawel, the Pantheon of the heroes and national kings Polish. Its descendants are still the object of honors nowadays.

Things and places named according to Kościuszko

National hero at the same time of the Poland and the the United States, Kościuszko gave his name to many places in the world:

In Australia . A Polish explorer, the count Paweł Edmund Strzelecki, baptized the top of the Australia Mont Kosciuszko, in his honor. Nowadays, the mountain is the center of the National park of Kosciuszko.

In the United States. It gave its name to the town of Kosciusko in the the Mississippi, with the Comté of Kosciusko, in the Indiana, with the island Kosciusko, in the Archipel Alexandre of the South-eastern of Alaska, with the two Kosciuszko bridges of the State of New York (one just in the north of Albany, the other on the expressway connecting Brooklyn to the Queens), with the street Kosciuszko and the Kosciuszko bridge which crosses the Naugatuck river, with Naugatuck (Connecticut), with the Kosciuszko park close to the Polish basilica of Saint-Josaphat to Milwaukee (Wisconsin) (it have an equestrian statue in its honor), or with the way Tadeusz Kosciusko of Los Angeles. There exist statues of him with Détroit, the Public garden of Boston, Scranton (Pennsylvania), with the Museum Campus of Chicago, with the Lafayette park of Washington, with the USMA of West Point (New York), with the Williams Park of St Petersburg (Florida) and, since 2006, in Red Bud Springs Memorial Park of Kosciusko (the Mississippi). At Philadelphia, its residence is preserved in the shape of the national Memorial Tadeusz Kiosciusko and its monument is held with the corner of Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the 18th street. With Hamtramck (Michigan) exists a school Kosciuszko Middle School. Chicago has a public park with its name, and the town of East Chicago, in the Indiana, has a public park (with a statue), a school, all in the name of Kosciuszko.

In Poland . Each important city has a street or a baptized place of the name of Kościuszko. Moreover, between 1820 and 1823, the citizens of Cracow set up a monticule in memory the patriot. A similar rise was set up in 1861 with Olkusz. He is also owner of the university of technology of Cracow, of the military university of Wrocław (in Polish: Wyższa Szkoła Oficerska Wojsk Lądowych ) and of innumerable other schools and gymnasia of Poland. He is also the owner of the 1st regiment of the 5th Polish division Rifle, of the 1 division of the 1 Polish army and the 303 {{E}} Polish fighter squadron of RAF. He also gave his name to ships: the S/S Kosciuszko , transtatlantique launched in 1915 and the ORP Generał Tadeusz Kościuszko , an old frigate of the last American navy in Poland.

Several places of Europe received the name of Kościuszko with Belgrade in Serbia ( Ulica Tadeuša Košćuška ) or with Budapest in Hungary ( Kosciuszkó Tádé utca ). With Vilnius, the capital of the Lithuania, one of the most important streets name of Kosciuszko ( Kosciuškos gatvė ) is baptized.

See too

• Polish Constitution of May 3rd, 1791
• Partitions of Poland
• Confederation of Targowica
• Polish Legions (French Army)

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