The idea of reforming the Commonwealth had gained traction from the mid-eighteenth century; it is however viewed with suspicion not only by its magnates but also by neighboring countries, which had been content with the deterioration of the Commonwealth and abhor the thought of a resurgent and democratic power on their borders.

With the Commonwealth Army reduced to around sixteen thousand, it is easy for its neighbors to intervene directly (The Imperial Russian Army numbers three hundred thousand troops overall; The Prussian Army and Imperial Army of the Holy Roman Empire, two hundred thousand each).

A major opportunity for reform had presented itself during the "Great Sejm" of 1788–92.

Poland's neighbors are preoccupied with wars and unable to intervene forcibly in Polish affairs.

Russian Empire and Archduchy of Austria have been engaged in hostilities with the Ottoman Empire (the Russo–Turkish War, 1787–1792 and the Austro-Turkish War, 1787–1791); the Russians had also found themselves simultaneously fighting in the Russo-Swedish War, 1788–1790.

A new alliance between the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and Prussia had seemed to provide security against Russian intervention, and on May 3, 1791 the new constitution had been read and adopted to overwhelming popular support.