Samogitian uprising (1656)

For the 15th-century rebellions against the Teutonic Order, see Samogitian uprisings.

Samogitian uprising
Part of the Second Northern War
Date April–May 1656 Location Samogitia, Grand Duchy of Lithuania (now Lithuania) Result Swedish victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Sweden	Samogitian rebels Tsardom of Russia
Commanders and leaders
Magnus Gabriel De la Gardie	Local Samogitian nobles
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Higher than the Swedish casualties

The Samogitian uprising was a local rebellion that took place in the region of Samogitia (now part of Lithuania) in 1656, during the Swedish occupation of parts of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Although not formally part of the Second Northern War, the uprising was a direct response to Swedish control following the Union of Kėdainiai in 1655. The revolt was led by Samogitian nobles and supported by local peasants and clergy who opposed Swedish rule.

Background

The Samogitian Uprising of 1656 occurred during a turbulent period in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, marked by multiple foreign invasions and internal instability. At the time, the Commonwealth was engaged in the Second Northern War, also known as the Deluge, during which it faced invasions from Sweden, Russia, and other neighboring powers.

In 1655, Swedish forces occupied much of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania after signing the Treaty of Kėdainiai with several Lithuanian nobles, including Janusz Radziwiłł. The treaty effectively aligned parts of the Lithuanian nobility with Sweden, creating political division within the Commonwealth. However, many Lithuanians, particularly in Samogitia, strongly opposed Swedish rule and viewed the treaty as a betrayal.

Samogitia, a region with a strong tradition of local autonomy and resistance, became a focal point for anti-Swedish sentiment. The Swedish occupation was perceived as oppressive, and rumors of religious persecution and forced conversions added to the unrest. Tensions were further fueled by the presence of foreign troops and economic disruption caused by the war.

These factors led to a spontaneous popular uprising in 1656, in which Samogitian peasants, nobles, and clergy rose up against Swedish forces. The rebellion was part of a broader national effort to resist foreign domination and restore the authority of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Prelude

In the early 1650s, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was weakened by a series of devastating wars, most notably the Khmelnytsky Uprising in Ukraine and the Russian invasion of the eastern territories. In 1655, Swedish forces took advantage of the chaos and launched an invasion of the Commonwealth, initiating what became known as the Second Northern War or the Deluge (Potop).

As Swedish troops advanced into Lithuania, a faction of powerful Lithuanian magnates, led by Janusz and Bogusław Radziwiłł, sought to preserve their influence by aligning with Sweden. This resulted in the Treaty of Kėdainiai (July 1655), in which parts of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania were placed under Swedish protection. The agreement was controversial and widely seen by many Lithuanians as a betrayal of the Commonwealth and its sovereignty.

The Radziwiłłs’ alliance with Sweden caused political fragmentation in the region, but their authority was not universally accepted, especially not in Samogitia. The Samogitian nobility had long-standing rivalries with the Radziwiłł family and resented both their power and their collaboration with foreign occupiers. In addition, Swedish forces were reported to have looted churches, interfered in local governance, and threatened Catholic traditions, further inflaming anti-Swedish sentiment.

By early 1656, this discontent evolved into open resistance. Local leaders, with support from clergy and disgruntled nobles, began organizing armed opposition. The rebellion was fueled by a strong sense of loyalty to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Catholic faith, and Samogitian regional identity.

Aftermath

The Samogitian Uprising of 1656 dealt a serious blow to Swedish ambitions in the region and exposed the fragility of their alliance with local Lithuanian elites. Although the uprising was eventually suppressed with the help of Swedish and pro-Radziwiłł forces, it severely disrupted Swedish control in Samogitia and inspired further resistance throughout the Grand Duchy. The rebellion discredited the Radziwiłłs' pro-Swedish stance, weakened their political influence, and strengthened the position of nobles loyal to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. In the long term, the uprising contributed to the erosion of Swedish dominance in Lithuania and reinforced Samogitia's reputation as a center of fierce independence and national loyalty during one of the most turbulent periods in the region’s history.