Thorgrimm said:Their 'army' was nothing more than renamed Russian divisions. But then again, most folks believe the propaganda nations spew, and never really check the true situation.
Sorry for picking and old post but you are mistaken here, the army was made up of Polish soldiers and commanded up to the highest posts by Polish generals, veterans of Napoleon Campaigns. Only the Tzar's brother Constantin stood higher as the representation of Tzar.
Also you may find many cases when the Sejm won legal battles with the Tzar by finding solutions to act against his will wich really enraged him...
Your friend propably talks about the situation in 1880's when after those two failed uprisings the Polish language was finally abolished and the Russians tried to transform the people into Russians. Then your description is ok.
On the side note, Congress Poland didn't have control over Posen (Poznan) and Gniezno - they were incorporated into Prussia - so a map change would be advisable.