Although the Polish Army at first held the line against the aggressors under the brilliant generalship of Kosciuszko. the overwhelming forces of the oppressors were successful at last. The year of defeat in 1795 was a bleak one in Polish history. Yet the Constitution of May 3 became a landmark in European history. It served as a beacon on the obscure and gloomy landscape of eastern European despotism. One immediate result of the defeat of the Polish reformers was the immigration of many Poles to the United States. It was only natural that they should choose a country where the free institutions for which they fought were firmly established. In this country they made lasting contributions to American life.
Keywords matched
immigration