Proclamation of Połaniec

It partially abolished serfdom in Poland,[1] granting substantial civil liberties to all the peasants.

The motives behind the Połaniec Proclamation were twofold: first, Kościuszko, a radical and reformer, believed that serfdom was an unfair system and should be ended; second, the uprising was in desperate need of recruits, and freeing the peasants would prompt many to enlist.

It was the first time in Polish history when the peasants were officially regarded as part of the nation, the word being previously equal to szlachta.

[4] However the news of the proclamation spread among the peasantry and was kept alive by the revolutionary and patriotic minded Poles.

The proclamation specifically granted to peasants: Announce to the people that, according to law, they are under the protection of the nation's government; that the person subject to any lord, is liberated.