Abolition of serfdom in Poland

Abolition of serfdom in Poland was a gradual process tied to the economy of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, where the nobility depended on serf labour for income and status. Initial steps toward reform began in the late 18th century, with the Constitution of 3 May 1791 offering limited protections to peasants and the Połaniec Proclamation of 1794 reducing some obligations of serfs and granting limited rights, such as personal freedom and protection from landlord abuses, during the Kościuszko Uprising. These efforts faced strong resistance from nobles who were reluctant to lose control over free labour. Serfdom was finally abolished in Polish and Lithuanian territories during the 19th century as part of broader European reforms ending feudal obligations.