Editing History of Poland (section)

====Union of Lublin====

The [[Union of Lublin]] of 1569 established the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]], a federal state more closely unified than the earlier political arrangement between Poland and Lithuania. The union was run largely by the nobility through the system of [[Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|central parliament]] and [[sejmik|local assemblies]], but was headed by [[elective monarchy|elected kings]]. The formal rule of the nobility, who were proportionally more numerous than in other European countries, constituted an early democratic system ("a sophisticated noble democracy"),<ref name="Overy 176-177">{{Harvnb|Overy|2010|pp=176–177}}.</ref> in contrast to the [[absolute monarchy|absolute monarchies]] prevalent at that time in the rest of Europe.<ref name="Europe 555">{{Harvnb|Davies|1996|p=555}}.</ref>

The beginning of the Commonwealth coincided with a period in Polish history when great political power was attained and advancements in civilization and prosperity took place. The Polish–Lithuanian Union became an influential participant in European affairs and a vital cultural entity that spread [[Western culture]] (with [[Polonization|Polish characteristics]]) eastward. In the second half of the 16th century and the first half of the 17th century, the Commonwealth was one of the largest and most populous states in contemporary Europe, with an area approaching {{convert|1|e6km2|spell=in|lk=out|abbr=off}} and a population of about ten million. Its economy was dominated by export-focused agriculture. Nationwide religious toleration was guaranteed at the [[Warsaw Confederation]] in 1573.<ref name="playground I xxix">{{Harvnb|Davies|2005a|p=xxix}}</ref>