During the First Polish Republic, or around the year 1600, one million free citizens lived in Poland, a record in the world history of representative government. These citizens had the right to run for the office of King in a free general election. Men and women had the same property and inheritance rights. The Polish indigenous legislative process shaped the national culture. While in Western and Eastern Europe monarchs became more and more authoritarian, Poland elected its kings and passed its laws in the Sejm (Parliament). The predatory powers that conquered Poland in the late 18th century made sure that the knowledge of Polish liberty faded away from European memory.
