The episode discusses the life and legacy of Tadeusz Kościuszko, a Polish national hero. Born in 1746 in present-day Belarus, Kościuszko was influenced by his uncle, a monk who traveled the world and taught him foreign languages. Kościuszko attended the Knights' School, founded by King Stanisław August Poniatowski, and later studied at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in France. He wanted to be a soldier, but due to financial constraints and lack of opportunities, he studied privately with professors from military schools.
Kościuszko traveled to the United States, where he contributed to the American War of Independence, fortifying Philadelphia and helping win the Battle of Saratoga. He was promoted to brigadier general and received land and money, which he donated to the education and emancipation of African Americans. Kościuszko also had relationships with women, but was often rejected due to his social status.
Upon returning to Poland, Kościuszko was met with financial difficulties and joined the Polish-Russian war, commanding a small army against the Russians. Despite initial successes, including the Battle of Zieleńce, King Stanisław August ordered the army to lay down their arms, forcing Kościuszko to flee.
Kościuszko later led the Polish Uprising, including the Battle of Maciejowice, but was defeated and taken into Russian captivity. After his release, he traveled to the United States and France, meeting Napoleon, whom he distrusted. Kościuszko eventually settled in Switzerland, where he died in 1817.
The episode concludes by highlighting Kościuszko's importance in history, acknowledging his mistakes but also his contributions to the American and Polish causes.
1. Tadeusz Kościuszko was born in 1746 in the territory of today's Belarus.
2. He was influenced by his uncle, a monk who traveled the world and taught him foreign languages.
3. Kościuszko attended the Knights' School, founded by King Stanisław August Poniatowski.
4. He got into school from the penultimate place, 79th, and likely wouldn't have gotten in without connections in the Czartoryski family.
5. After graduating, Kościuszko was offered a job as an instructor and was sent on a scholarship to France as a reward.
6. He was sent to study at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, rather than a military school.
7. Kościuszko studied privately with professors from military schools for 5 years.
8. At that time, Poland was partitioned by its neighbors.
9. Kościuszko met a girl, Ludwika Sosnowska, with whom he fell in love, but she was traded away by her father to Prince Lubomirski.
10. Kościuszko kidnapped Ludwika, but her father caught up with them and beat him.
11. Kościuszko left for the United States, where he joined the American army and was tasked with fortifying Philadelphia.
12. Thanks to Kościuszko's fortifications, the Americans won the Battle of Saratoga.
13. Kościuszko was promoted to brigadier general and was given 250 hectares of land and a lot of money.
14. He donated his land and money to the redemption and education of African Americans.
15. Kościuszko returned to Poland in 1784 and found that his brother had squandered all their parents' property.
16. He joined the Polish army and was promoted to major general.
17. Kościuszko commanded the Polish army against the Russians in the Polish-Russian war.
18. He won the Battle of Zieleńce, which improved the morale of the Polish soldiers.
19. King Stanisław August joined the traitors and ordered the army to lay down their weapons.
20. Kościuszko left Poland and settled in Paris, where he planned the uprising with other emigrants.
21. The second partition of Poland took place in 1793, and the country's territory shrunk to approximately the size of today's Belarus.
22. Kościuszko led the uprising in Krakow and published the Połaniec universal, giving land to the peasants.
23. The peasants supported him and fought with scythes.
24. Kościuszko was severely injured in the Battle of Maciejowice and taken into Russian captivity.
25. He was released by the tsar and went west, eventually settling in Switzerland, where he died in 1817.