Bohdan Khmelnytsky

Bohdan Khmelnytsky (1595–1657) – Cossack Officer, later Hetman

• Actions:
  • Led the Khmelnytsky Uprising, defeating the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with the help of the Crimean Tatars.
  • Established the Cossack Hetmanate, which encompassed large parts of Ukraine.
  • Oversaw a revolt during which many Jews were massacred.
  • Allied with Muscovy through the Pereyeslav Treaty. (Cossacks and Muscovy)
• Significance:
  • Founded the first "Ukrainian state" after Kyivan Rus, reinforcing the identity of the land.
  • Initiated a long and complex relationship with Muscovy through the Pereyeslav Treaty.
  • Became a role model for later Ukrainian nation-builders.
  • His articles are often considered the Magna Carta of Ukrainian liberties.
• Successor and Legacy:
  • Succeeded by Ivan Vyhovsky, but the Hetmanate soon entered a period of turmoil known as the Ruin, during which it lost much of its power, experiencing only a minor resurgence under Ivan Mazepa.

This is part of the #Significantpersons series.