A secret 1732 pact between Austria, Russia, and Prussia aimed to control the Polish royal succession by excluding key candidates before Augustus II died.
Key Facts
- Signing dates
- September and December 1732
- Parties
- Habsburg monarchy, Russian Empire, Prussia
- Candidate excluded (Wettin)
- Frederick Augustus, son of Augustus II
- Candidate excluded (Leszczyński)
- Stanisław Leszczyński, king 1704–1709
- Superseded by
- Löwenwolde's Treaty, 19 August 1733
- Eventual Polish king
- Frederick Augustus elected as Augustus III
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Augustus II of Poland, Elector of Saxony from the House of Wettin, was aging and expected to die soon. The Polish custom of royal elections meant a contested succession was likely, prompting Austria, Russia, and Prussia to coordinate in advance to shape its outcome.
In September and December 1732, the Habsburg monarchy, the Russian Empire, and Prussia secretly signed the Treaty of the Three Black Eagles in Berlin. The treaty aimed to exclude both Frederick Augustus, Augustus II's son, and Stanisław Leszczyński from candidacy for the Polish throne.
Despite the treaty's intent, Leszczyński was about to be elected king in 1733. Russia and Austria then reversed course, signing Löwenwolde's Treaty on 19 August 1733 to back Frederick Augustus instead. Leszczyński was ultimately forced to leave Poland, and Frederick Augustus was elected as Augustus III.
Political Outcome
The treaty failed to prevent Leszczyński's initial election; a follow-up agreement installed Frederick Augustus as Augustus III of Poland.
Open Polish succession with multiple viable candidates including Leszczyński and Frederick Augustus
Frederick Augustus installed as Augustus III; Leszczyński expelled from Poland