Polish–Ottoman War (1672–1676)

The Polish–Ottoman War of 1672–1676, also known as the Turkish War in Poland, was a conflict between the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Ottoman Empire. It began with the Ottoman invasion of Podolia in 1672 and concluded with the Treaty of Żurawno in 1676.

Causes: The war stemmed from a complex interplay of factors, including Ottoman expansionist ambitions in Eastern Europe, internal weakness within the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the involvement of Cossacks in the region. The Commonwealth's support for anti-Ottoman Cossacks and its attempts to exert control over Moldavia and Wallachia, Ottoman vassal states, heightened tensions. The Ottomans, seeking to consolidate their control over the Black Sea region and expand their influence in Europe, saw the Commonwealth as a key obstacle.

Course of the War: In 1672, a large Ottoman army, commanded by Sultan Mehmed IV, invaded Podolia. The Polish forces were ill-prepared and poorly led, leading to the fall of the key fortress of Kamieniec Podolski. The subsequent Treaty of Buchach forced Poland to cede Podolia to the Ottoman Empire and pay tribute. This treaty, however, was considered humiliating and unacceptable by the Polish Sejm (Parliament), which refused to ratify it and resolved to continue the war.

The war continued with varying degrees of intensity over the next four years. Jan Sobieski, then Grand Hetman of the Crown (commander-in-chief), distinguished himself in several battles, including the victory at Khotyn in 1673. Despite these victories, the Commonwealth remained weakened by internal divisions and financial difficulties.

Outcome and Consequences: The war concluded with the Treaty of Żurawno in 1676. While the treaty represented a compromise compared to the Treaty of Buchach, it was still unfavorable to the Commonwealth. Poland retained a portion of Podolia, but Kamieniec Podolski remained under Ottoman control, and Poland still had to pay a symbolic tribute.

The Polish–Ottoman War of 1672–1676 had significant consequences for the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It demonstrated the Commonwealth's military weakness and internal instability, contributing to its decline in the late 17th and 18th centuries. The loss of Podolia was a blow to Polish prestige and security. The war also highlighted the growing power of the Ottoman Empire and its continued threat to Eastern Europe. While Sobieski's military successes brought him fame and ultimately led to his election as King of Poland in 1674, the underlying problems of the Commonwealth remained unresolved, setting the stage for further conflicts and eventual partition.