# January Uprising (1863)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1863-january-uprising
Location: Congress Poland
Categories: main-event

On 22 January 1863 an underground National Government called Poles to arms against Russia. The uprising became a long guerrilla war lasting until 1864, with widespread repression afterwards. Within the broader Partitioned Poland period: Without a state, Poles preserved their nation through uprisings, emigration, Romantic literature, 'organic work' and modern political movements, while facing Russification and Germanisation. At this point in the timeline (22 January 1863), the governing authority was Alexander II (King of Poland (Tsar of Russia)). Reforming tsar whose regime suppressed the January Uprising and intensified Russification. January 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
January Uprising mattered because a revolt against the existing order tested the strength of rulers and the aspirations of the nation.

Ruler at the time: [Alexander II](https://poland-history.com/rulers/alexander-ii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — January Uprising](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January_Uprising)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — January Uprising](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=January+Uprising)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland (1795–1918) (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_(1795%E2%80%931918))