Abstract
In the article „The First Partition of Poland“ is researched above all the main causes i.e. the internal conditions in Poland and the international circumstances, which influenced the development on the way to the partition. The backwardness of Poland and its growing anarchy initiated the struggle of three Great Powers – Russia, Austria and Prussia.
Following this process, Poland lost 30 % of its territory and 40% of their population, and political balance of power in the Europe was destabilized.