original passage: Before it could fully recover, Lithuania was ravaged during the Great Northern War (1700–1721). The war, a plague, and a famine caused the deaths of approximately 40% of the country's population. Foreign powers, especially Russia, became dominant in the domestic politics of the Commonwealth. Numerous fractions among the nobility used the Golden Liberties to prevent any reforms.
original sentence: Numerous fractions among the nobility used the Golden Liberties to prevent any reforms.
sentence2: Given the historical context that surrounds them, would the Golden Liberties of 18th-century Lithuania be considered mostly synonymous with the civil liberties upon which American democracy is founded?
sentence1: Before it could fully recover, Lithuania was ravaged during the Great Northern War (1700–1721). The war, a plague, and a famine caused the deaths of approximately 40% of the country's population. Foreign powers, especially Russia, became dominant in the domestic politics of the Commonwealth. Numerous fractions among the nobility used the ideals of the Golden Liberties to encourage democratic reforms within the country.