# First use of the liberum veto (1652)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1652-first-use-of-the-liberum-veto
Location: Warsaw

Deputy Władysław Siciński broke off a Sejm with a single objection, setting a precedent that paralysed Commonwealth government. 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 (1652), the governing authority was John II Casimir Vasa (King of Poland). Reigned through the Khmelnytsky Uprising and the Swedish Deluge before abdicating in 1668. First use of the liberum veto mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood. 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
First use of the liberum veto mattered because it altered the structure of power and the direction of Polish statehood.

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

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Liberum veto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberum_veto)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — First use of the liberum veto](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=First+use+of+the+liberum+veto)
- [Wikipedia — Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish%E2%80%93Lithuanian_Commonwealth)