The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is a term used in history . The Partitions of Poland or Partitions of the Polishâ `` Lithuanian Commonwealth took place in the second half of the 18th century and ended the existence of the Polishâ `` Lithuanian Commonwealth . The partitions were carried out by the Russian Empire , Kingdom of Prussia , and Habsburg Austria dividing up the Commonwealth lands among themselves .