The impact of the Great Northern War on Poznań and the lives of its inhabitants

Abstract

Summary The 18th century began unfavourably for the Commonwealth and for Poznań with the great Northern War (1700-1721), which, with its consequences in the form of war damage, plagues, contributed to the depopulation of Poznań and its suburbs and urban villages. The article was prepared to show the situation of the city before the war and, above all, during the war. Military operations, war destruction, population losses, costs of the war and the actions of the occupiers show the significant changes that took place in the capital of Greater Poland as a result of the Great Northern War. It concludes that Poznań became a participant in the war with all its consequences.