Tags
Bohdan Khmelnytsky, Correction, Cossak Hetmenate, Massacre of Catholics, Massacre of Jews, the Battle of Batih
—ooo—
I had to revise my post on the word Ruthenia. I am sure all of you realised that the exonym Ruthenia is derogatory. However, I forgot to include a quotation that clarifies that exonyms could be insensitive.
Bodhan Khmelnytsky
Bohdan Khmelnytsky is a name associated with the beginning of the Cossack Hetmenate (1648-1764) and the Khmelnytsky Uprising, an uprising in 1648-1657 during which atrocities were committed. However, the 1648 uprising gave Ukraine autonomy. Hetman Ivan Mazepa and Charles XII of Sweden lost the Battle of Poltava, which was fought against Peter the Great in 1709.
The insurgency was accompanied by mass atrocities committed by Cossacks against the civilian population, especially against the Roman Catholic clergy and the Jews.
(See Khmelnytsky Uprising, Wikipedia)
After the Battle of Batih (Batoh), on 3–4 June 1652, between 3,000 and 5,000 elite Polish soldiers and officers, including 3,500 members of the szlachta, were tied up and massacred in two days of methodical beheadings and disembowelments.
(See Batoh Massacre, Wikipedia)
Szlachta
The Szlachta (Polish, an exonym) were the noble estate of the realm in the Kingdom of Poland, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth who, as a class, had the dominating position in the state, exercising extensive political rights and power.
(See Szlachta, Wikipedia)
During the Cossack Hetmenate, Ukrainians exercised greater control over their country. Therefore, Bohdan Khmelnytsky is a hero to Ukrainians, but he could be ruthless. All of us are paying a price for the current war in Ukraine. Wars kill and they are costly. I read today that Russia opposed gifts of powerful weapons to Ukraine on the part of the United States. Does anyone expect Ukrainians not to defend their country?
© Micheline Walker
16 April 2022
WordPress
Micheline's Blog 
That’s civilization for you.
LikeLike
Yes. it is. Cossacks could torture and kill. Both Ivan Mazepa and Bodan Khmelnytsky were Cossacks, but Ivan Mazepa’s behaviour was not that of Bodan Khmelnytsky. Catholics killed Huguenots, French Protestants. My Bourbeau ancestors fled France to escape brutality on the part of Richelieu, and Putin is killing innocent Ukrainians. He did not seem a criminal.
LikeLike
However, he is honored as a hero in today’s Ukraine, and so is Stepan Bandera, a Nazi collaborator. In fact, Nazi collaborators have been declared Veterans of War, and those who are still around are collecting Veterans’ pension. The word “pogrom” is Khmelnietsky’s legacy to the world.
All that aside, the current war is a terrible tragedy. Coming from there, I feel for the people of Ukraine. My heart is breaking, dear Micheline.
Love,
D
LikeLike
He has real merits. The Cossacks gave Ukraine a degree of independence. They were warriors. However, the current war is an abomination. I can’t believe Vladimir Putin would nearly destroy a country and threaten the world. What does he have to gain? He could use chemical and nuclear weapons. Imagine the response! I am pleased you are in Florida, my dearest. Ukraine is not safe.
Much love,
M
LikeLike