Transylvania Campaign (1658-1662)
The Transylvania Campaign (1658-1662) was a series of military conflicts primarily involving the Principality of Transylvania, the Ottoman Empire, the Habsburg Monarchy, Poland-Lithuania, and, to a lesser extent, Wallachia and Moldavia. It stemmed from Transylvanian Prince George II Rákóczi's ambition to become King of Poland, a goal he pursued without proper Ottoman approval, Transylvania being a vassal state of the Ottoman Empire.
Rákóczi invaded Poland-Lithuania in 1657 during The Deluge, initially with some success, allied with Sweden against Poland. However, his campaign faltered due to Polish resistance and Habsburg intervention. The Ottomans, angered by Rákóczi's unauthorized war and his alliance with Sweden (a perceived enemy of the Ottomans at the time), revoked their support for him and eventually launched a punitive campaign against Transylvania.
Ottoman forces, aided by Crimean Tatar auxiliaries, invaded Transylvania starting in 1658. They ravaged the countryside, deposed Rákóczi, and installed first Ákos Barcsay and later Michael Apafi as puppet princes. Rákóczi, however, refused to relinquish his claim and continued to fight for control of Transylvania, supported sporadically by Habsburg and Polish forces.
The conflict within Transylvania became a proxy war between the Habsburgs and the Ottomans, with both powers vying for influence in the region. Rákóczi was killed in battle against the Ottomans in 1660, but the struggle for control continued.
The Transylvania Campaign formally ended in 1662 with the Peace of Vasvár, negotiated between the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire. While the treaty confirmed Ottoman suzerainty over Transylvania and recognized Michael Apafi as prince, it also stabilized the region, albeit under Ottoman dominance. The conflict significantly weakened Transylvania, both militarily and economically, and had long-lasting political consequences for the region, solidifying Ottoman influence while highlighting the vulnerability of Transylvania's autonomy.