v16_1971 - POLONIA - INSURRECTION 5 zloty 1831 Varsovie

POLAND - UPRISING

(1830-1831)

The Poland of the Congress of Vienna forms a kingdom entrusted to the Tsar of Russia, Alexander I (1801-1825). The Tsar gives a Constitution to Poland but a revolt breaks out on November 29, 1830 and the Grand Duke Constantine has to flee from Warsaw. All of Poland rose up and the diet proclaimed the downfall of the Romanovs. Tsar Nicolas I (1825-1855) had to send an army of more than a hundred thousand men to put down the rebellion, which was bloodily crushed at the battle of Ostrolenka in May 1831. Warsaw was retaken on September 8. More than ten thousand Poles went into exile, for France in particular. Nicolas I abolishes the Constitution of 1815 and promotes the Russification of the country.