The Cossack rebellions were a series of uprisings in Eastern Europe, primarily involving the Cossacks, a group of predominantly East Slavic-speaking people known for their military prowess and semi-nomadic lifestyle. These rebellions often arose in response to oppressive policies from the Russian Empire or the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, as Cossacks sought greater autonomy and rights over their lands. One of the most notable rebellions was the Khmelnytsky Uprising in 1648, led by Bohdan Khmelnytsky, which aimed to establish a Cossack state and resist Polish control. The rebellions significantly influenced the political landscape of the region, leading to changes in governance and the eventual incorporation of Cossack territories into the Russian Empire.