The three partitions were conducted jointly by the Russian Empire, the Kingdom of Prussia and Habsburg Austria, resulting in the complete elimination of the Polish Crown.

[1] In the end, the Austrian sector encompassed the second-largest share of the Commonwealth's population after Russia;[note 1] over 2.65 million people living on 128,900 km2 (49,800 sq mi) of land constituting the formerly south-central part of the Republic.

However, the fall of Napoleon, leading to abolition of the Duchy at the Congress of Vienna (1815) allowed Austria to regain control.

The Congress created the Free City of Kraków protectorate of Austria, Prussia and Russia, which lasted for a decade.

The formation of the Polish Legions by Piłsudski initially to fight alongside the Austro-Hungarian Army,[4] helped Poland regain its sovereignty in aftermath of World War I.

"[6] However, by the early 20th century – just before the outbreak of World War I and the collapse of Austria-Hungary – out of the three partitions, the Austrian one had the most local autonomy.