Erdély „bukása”. A lengyelországi hadjárat és következményei: hatalmi válság a fejedelemségben (1657- 1658)
The “Fall” of Transylvania. The Campaign in Poland and Its Consequences: A Crisis of Power in the Principality (1657-1658)

Summary/Abstract: George II Rákóczi entered the Polish-Swedish conflict, which began in 1655, in January 1657 at the request of the Swedes. In return for military assistance in Transylvania, he wanted the Polish royal title, the seats of the Polish kings, Krakow and Warsaw, and the rich salt mines. In return, he offered the King of Sweden not only the armed forces of his own principality, but the alliance of the Cossack hetman Khmelnytsky and the arms of the Cossacks, as well as his diplomatic network, the favours of Turkish Porte and the Crimean Tatar Khan. Rákóczi set out with an army of 18,000 men, and was initially successful, but was eventually defeated. On 22 July 1657, George II Rákóczi asked for peace at Czarny Ostrów from the commanders of the Polish army pursuing him. The Poles imposed more than humiliating conditions: in addition to the justifiable political and military conditions, Rákóczi was obliged to pay 1,200,000 Polish gold pieces as military compensation. A large part of the Transylvanian army was captured by the Crimean Tatars, and the return of the prince to Transylvania was greeted by a nationwide uproar. The Porte ordered his dismissal, and first Francisc Rhédey and then Ákos Barcsay were appointed in his place. Rákóczi did not want to resign but chose armed resistance against the Turkish-Tatar armies invading Transylvania. The years 1657-1658 marked the beginning of a period of power crisis, which would not end until 1660, resulting in severe devastation and territorial loss.

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