# Khmelnytsky Uprising (1648)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1648-khmelnytsky-uprising
Location: Ukraine
Categories: main-event

Bohdan Khmelnytsky led the Zaporozhian Cossacks and peasants in a massive revolt, defeating the Crown army at Zhovti Vody and Korsun. Within the broader Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth period: The Commonwealth of Both Nations elected its kings and prized noble liberty and religious tolerance. It won famous victories but was weakened by wars with Sweden, Russia, the Ottomans and the Cossacks, and by political paralysis. At this point in the timeline (1648), the governing authority was John II Casimir Vasa (King of Poland). Reigned through the Khmelnytsky Uprising and the Swedish Deluge before abdicating in 1668. Khmelnytsky Uprising mattered because a revolt against the existing order tested the strength of rulers and the aspirations of the nation. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Khmelnytsky Uprising mattered because a revolt against the existing order tested the strength of rulers and the aspirations of the nation.

Ruler at the time: [John II Casimir Vasa](https://poland-history.com/rulers/john-ii-casimir-vasa)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Khmelnytsky Uprising](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmelnytsky_Uprising)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Khmelnytsky Uprising](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Khmelnytsky+Uprising)
- [Wikipedia — Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Commonwealth)