From Dynasty Unity To Kingdom Merger

It is an important period from1386to1569for Poland and Lithuania to change from dynasty unity to kingdom merger. It is a long and tough process that Poland and Lithuania finally evolving from dynasty unity to kingdom merger in the specific historical background of the East Central Europe, which lasted for more than180years and the whole process was filled with complicated contradicts and conflicts of interest. Poland and Lithuania achieved the dynasty unity is for meeting the national interest demand of both sides. After the unity. Lithuanian separatists continued to break this unity of the two countries so that the process of uniting was full of frustrations. At last Poland and Lithuania moved forward kingdom merger. This is not only because the ongoing polonization in Lithuania, but also the two countries facing the deteriorating environment in East Central Europe. The accumulation of contradictions and the rapid deterioration of national defense system make Poland and Lithuania have to choose kingdom merger. The merger has profound impact on Poland and Lithuania, and even the entire East Central Europe.This paper is divided into five parts.Chapter one describes the dynasty unity which is a prelude to the achievement of kingdom merger in Poland and Lithuania. In the late14th century, with the constant expansion of Teutonic Order and the rise of Moscow Duchy Poland and Lithuania are deeply aware of the deteriorating environment around the two countries. Meanwhile, facing with the plight in the national development, Poland and Lithuania put frontier disputes aside for the common national interest to reach the agreement on dynasty unity after many efforts in Krewo.Chapter two describes the Lithuanian separatism which is the first obstacle Poland and Lithuania was facing in the process of kingdom merger after they have achieved the dynasty unity. The Lithuanian separatism is both the embodiment of national consciousness and the clear manifestation of radical conflicts of interest between the two countries. Starting with Witold Rebellion, the Lithuanian separatism extended until the two countries are mergered. The separatism severely affects the development of the two countries. But Poland and Lithuania did not break relation in the intertwined interests but kept developing in twists and turns. The Union of Vilno and the Treaty of Horodlo illustrated this point. Chapter three describes wobbled relations between Poland and Lithuania before they are mergered. In this period, Lithuanian separatism continued to develop. After the Hussites Movement in Czech, the relation between Poland and Lithuania wobbled again. After Kazimierz IV took over, Poland and Lithuania remained under one king’s rule, but the unity was in name only. At the end of15th century, the unity came to the end with the death of Kazimierz IV. But the dynasty unity was resumed soon. At this period Moscow Duchy gradually established Tsarism and began to expand rapidly in a wide range. The impact of international pressure caused wobbly Lithuania to stand together with Poland. Their relation entered a relatively stable period after successfully concluded the Union of Mielnik in1501.Chapter four describes the steady development of relation between Poland and Lithuania after the unity in1501, and the realization of kingdom merger. The basic reason why the two countries can merger is the polonization of Lithuania; the external reason is the pressure given by Duchy of Prussia, Ottoman Empire and the Habsburgs in16th century. The Livonia war opened the door to the kingdom merger, which triggered by the Baltic benefit struggles.Chapter five is the conclusion of the paper in which the writer sums up the characteristics and influence of the evolutionary relation between Poland and Lithuania from1385to1569.