Treaty of Poznań facts for kids

The Treaty of Poznań (also known as the Treaty of Posen) was an important agreement signed on December 11, 1806. It officially ended the war between the French Empire and the Electorate of Saxony. Saxony had been an ally of Prussia as part of the Fourth Coalition against France.

What Was the Treaty of Poznań?

This treaty was a peace agreement made in the city of Poznań. It was signed after Saxony, a German state, was defeated by France. The French leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, was expanding his empire across Europe.

The treaty changed Saxony from an "Electorate" into the "Kingdom of Saxony." This meant it became a more powerful and independent state.

Why Was This Treaty Needed?

In 1806, France was fighting against several European countries in what are now called the Napoleonic Wars. These countries formed groups called coalitions to stop France. Saxony was part of the Fourth Coalition, allied with Prussia.

French forces, led by Napoleon, won major battles against Prussia and its allies. These victories included the Battle of Jena and the Battle of Auerstedt. After these defeats, French troops occupied parts of Saxony.

To stop the fighting, France and Saxony needed a peace treaty. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, a key French diplomat, helped negotiate the terms.

Key Agreements of the Treaty

The Treaty of Poznań set out several important conditions for Saxony:

Saxony Becomes a Kingdom

One of the biggest changes was that the Electorate of Saxony became the Kingdom of Saxony. This was a step up in status for the state.

New Lands for Saxony

Saxony also gained some new lands. It took control of certain territories, including the city of Cottbus, from Prussia. This made Saxony larger.

Joining the Confederation of the Rhine

Saxony had to join the Confederation of the Rhine. This was a group of German states that were allied with France. Joining meant Saxony was now under French influence.

Payments and Troops for France

The treaty also required Saxony to pay France a large sum of money. This payment was 25 million francs. It was a way for France to cover its war costs.

Saxony also had to provide soldiers for France. It contributed a small group of troops for France's ongoing military campaigns. In any future wars, Saxony had to be ready to provide 20,000 soldiers to help France.

Giving Up Some Territory

Finally, Saxony had to give up a small piece of land in its western part. This land was given to the new Kingdom of Westphalia, another state created by France.

The Treaty of Poznań showed how powerful France was at the time. It reshaped the map of Europe and brought Saxony firmly into Napoleon's system of alliances.