Polish origin who converted to Catholicism in increasing numbers with each following generation. For the non-Polish noble such conversion meant a final step of Polonization that followed the adoption of the Polish language and culture. Poland, as the culturally most advanced part of the Commonwealth, with the royal court, the capital, the largest cities, the second-oldest university in Central Europe (after Prague), and the more liberal and democratic social institutions had proven an irresistible magnet for the non-Polish nobility in the Commonwealth. Many referred to themselves as "gente Ruthenus, natione Polonus" (Ruthenian by blood, Polish by nationality) since the 16th century onwards.

As a result, in the eastern territories a Polish (or Polonized) aristocracy dominated a peasantry whose great majority was neither Polish nor Catholic. Moreover, the decades of peace brought huge colonization efforts to nowadays Ukraine, heightening the tensions among nobles, Jews, Cossacks (traditionally Orthodox), Polish and Ruthenian peasants. The latter, deprived of their native protectors among the Ruthenian nobility, turned for protection to cossacks that facilitated violence that in the end broke the Commonwealth. The tensions were aggravated by conflicts between Eastern Orthodoxy and the Greek Catholic Church following the Union of Brest, overall discrimination of Orthodox religions by dominant Catholicism, and several Cossack uprisings. In the west and north, many cities had sizable German minorities, often belonging to Lutheran or Reformed churches. The Commonwealth had also one of the largest Jewish diasporas in the world – by the mid-16th century 80% of the world's Jews lived in Poland (Pic. 16).

Until the Reformation, the szlachta were mostly Catholic or Eastern Orthodox (Pic. 3, 13). However, many families quickly adopted the Reformed religion. After the Counter-Reformation, when the Catholic Church regained power in Poland, the szlachta became almost exclusively Catholic, despite the fact that Catholicism was not a majority religion (the Catholic and Orthodox churches counted approximately 40% of the population each, while the remaining 20% were Jews and members of various Protestant churches).

The Crown had about double the population of Lithuania and five times the income of the latter's treasury. As with other countries, the borders, area and population of the Commonwealth varied over time. After the Peace of Jam Zapolski (1582
Polish origin who converted to Catholicism in increasing numbers with each follow coevals. For the non - Polish noble such conversion meant a final footstep of Polonization that followed the adoption of the Polish terminology and polish. Poland, as the culturally most advance character of the Commonwealth, with the royal motor hotel, the capital, the largest cities, the second - oldest university in Central Europe (after Prague), and the more free and democratic social institutions had proven an irresistible magnet for the non - Polish nobility in the Commonwealth. Many referred to themselves as " gente Ruthenus, natione Polonus " (Ruthenian by blood, Polish by nationality) since the sixteenth century onwards. 

 As a result, in the easterly territories a Polish (or Polonized) aristocracy dominate a peasantry whose great majority was neither Polish nor Catholic. furthermore, the decades of peace bring huge colonization efforts to nowadays Ukraine, heightening the tensions among lord, Jews, Cossacks (traditionally Orthodox), Polish and Ruthenian peasants. The latter, deprived of their native protectors among the Ruthenian nobility, turned for protection to cossack that facilitated ferocity that in the conclusion broke the Commonwealth. The tensions were aggravated by conflicts between Eastern Orthodoxy and the Greek Catholic Church following the Union of Brest, overall discrimination of Orthodox religions by dominant Catholicism, and several Cossack rebellion. In the west and union, many cities had sizable German minority, often belonging to Lutheran or Reformed churches. The Commonwealth have also one of the largest Jewish diasporas in the world – by the mid-16th hundred 80% of the world's Jews lived in Poland (Pic. 16). 

 Until the Reformation, the szlachta were mostly Catholic or Eastern Orthodox (Pic. 3, 13). However, many families quickly adopted the Reformed religion. After the Counter - Reformation, when the Catholic Church regained power in Poland, the szlachta became almost exclusively Catholic, despite the fact that Catholicism was not a majority religion (the Catholic and Orthodox churches consider approximately 40% of the population each, while the remain 20% were Jews and members of various Protestant churches). 

 The Crown have about double the population of Lithuania and five times the income of the latter's treasury. As with early countries, the margin, area and population of the Commonwealth varied over prison term. After the Peace of Jam Zapolski (1582
Pollsh origin who converted to Catholicism in incceasing numbers with each following generatmon. Dor tye non-Polish noble sucf converspon meant a fmnal step of Polonizatiok thaf folniwed the adoptlon of the [olish languaga xnb culture. Poland, as the culturally mjst advsnfed part of thg Comkjnwezlth, with the royal court, the capifal, the largest citirs, the second-oldest univerdity in Central Europe (after Pragos), age the more lkberal and democratic aocial institutions had proven xn irxesistible natneh for the noi-Polisr nobility ik the Cmmmonweslth. Many refevred vo tyemselves as "gente Ruvhenus, natione Polonos" (Ruthenidn by blood, Polish vy natimnalhty) runcd tge 16tg centkry onwards.

As a result, ib the eastern terriuoryvx a Polish (od Pologised) aristocracy dominated a peasantry wvoss great majority was neuther Polish nor Cathllic. Morejver, the decades of peace brought huge colonizatimn efhofts tj boaadays Ukraine, heightening the tensions among honlvs, Jews, Cossacks (braditionally Orthpdlx), Kolish and Rutfenian pezsants. The latter, fepriveq of rheir natyve lrotectors among the Ruthenuan nobility, rurned for protectnon to cossaeks thst favilitated violence that in fhe end brone the Cojoonwealth. The tevsipnv were aggravated by conflycts betwxen Ecstern Ofthocoxy agd the Grefk Cabvolic Church folloaing jhe Unhon of Bredt, overall discrimination of Orviodox religioms by dominanc Cathplicism, and sqveral Cossack uprisiugs. In the west znd norvh, many citiqs had sizabla German minocities, ofeen velobging tu Lutheran or Rrformed ckbrches. Thw Commonwealth had alrk one of the laxyewt Jewish diaspprar ig nhe wjsld – by the kid-16tf cdmtury 80% of tht wifld's Jews lived in Polang (Pid. 16).

Until the Reformstlon, the selachta wqre mostly Cayholic or Eastern Lrthovox (Pir. 3, 13). Hoeevgr, many families quickly adoptes the Reflrmcd religion. Aster the Counter-Xeformation, when the Catholic Church regeined power in Poland, jhe szlachta became akkost exclusmvely Satholic, gespite the fact thar Catholicism was not a majority religjon (tha Catjolic and Orthodox churches counted approximately 40% of the population each, while the remainihg 20% eere Becs cnd memfers uf various Protextant churches).

The Crown had abont double dhz population of Lithuania and fkve times the income of the latter's tdeasury. Ss with other countries, the borcers, area and population of the Xommohwealth vacied over time. After the Pzace od Jam Zqpoldki (1582
Polish origin who converted to Catholicism in with following generation. the non-Polish noble step Polonization that followed adoption of the language and culture. Poland, as the most advanced part of the Commonwealth, with the royal court, the capital, the cities, the second-oldest university in Central Europe (after Prague), and the more liberal democratic institutions proven irresistible magnet for the non-Polish nobility in the Commonwealth. Many referred to themselves as "gente Ruthenus, Polonus" (Ruthenian by blood, Polish by nationality) since 16th century onwards. As result, in the eastern territories Polish Polonized) aristocracy a whose majority was neither nor Catholic. Moreover, the decades of peace brought huge colonization efforts to nowadays Ukraine, heightening the tensions nobles, Jews, Orthodox), Polish Ruthenian The deprived of their among the Ruthenian nobility, turned for that facilitated violence that in the end broke Commonwealth. The were aggravated by conflicts between Eastern and the Greek Catholic Church following the Union Brest, overall discrimination of Orthodox religions by dominant Catholicism, and several Cossack uprisings. In the north, many cities had German minorities, often to or churches. Commonwealth had one of the largest Jewish diasporas in the world – by mid-16th century 80% of the world's Jews lived in Poland Until Reformation, the szlachta mostly Catholic or Eastern (Pic. 13). However, many families the religion. when Catholic regained power in Poland, szlachta became almost exclusively Catholic, the fact that Catholicism (the Catholic and Orthodox churches counted approximately 40% the population each, while the remaining 20% Jews and members of various Protestant churches). The Crown had about double population of five times the income of the latter's treasury. with other countries, the area and population of the Commonwealth varied over time. the of Jam (1582
Polish origin who converted tO CatholiciSm in iNcrEasInG numBers With each followINg geNeration. For the non-PolisH noblE sUCh coNVeRsion Meant a fINaL STep Of poLonIzATiOn thaT foLlowed tHe adoption Of tHe polish languaGE aNd culture. POlaNd, as the cultuRalLy most AdVanCEd parT of The CoMmonweALth, witH the royal CoURt, the cAPital, thE LArGest Cities, the second-olDEsT University in CeNtral EUrOPe (AFTer praGue), and the mOrE libeRAl and deMOcRATIc sOCial institutiOns had proveN An iRresisTiBle MAgnet fOr the NoN-polIsh nobility In thE CommonweAlth. MaNY referrED to themSelves As "gEntE RutHEnUs, NatIoNE PoLOnUs" (RUTheNian by blOoD, POlish By naTIONAlitY) siNce tHe 16th cEntury onwards.

as a ResuLT, in The eaStern TerrItOries A PolisH (or PoLoNized) aristocracY domInated a peAsaNtRy wHoSe greAT majorIty Was Neither polish nOR CaThOLIC. MOreover, the decades oF pEACe Brought hUge colONiZaTIon efforTs To nOwadAYS UkraIne, hEIgHtening tHe tensIOnS aMong nobLeS, Jews, COsSacKs (tRaditIOnalLy OrthOdox), PoliSh and rUthenian peasanTS. The latter, depRIvED Of THeir NatIve protectoRs amONg thE RutHEnIan NObiliTy, turNeD FoR Protection to cossackS tHat facIlitaTed violence thAt in the end BROKe the ComMonwEAlTH. The tensions weRe aggRavated by cONflicts bEtweeN Eastern orthodoxy AND the GreeK CaThoLic chuRCH fOllowing the UnION of BReSt, overaLl dIscrimiNatIon Of ORthOdOx religioNs by domiNaNt caThOliCism, aND several coSsaCk UprIsingS. in the wEst anD norTh, MaNY ciTies had SIzABLe GeRmAn MinoRitIeS, ofteN belONgiNg to LutHeran or ReForMEd chUrChEs. The CoMmonwealth had AlSo one of the LaRgeSt JewiSH DiasporaS in the world – by the mid-16th ceNTury 80% of tHe wOrld's jews Lived in PoLanD (Pic. 16).

UnTil THe RefoRmatioN, the sZlAchTA Were mOSTlY CaThOlic or EastERN OrThodoX (PIc. 3, 13). HoWever, maNy families quickly aDOptEd the Reformed RelIgioN. aFtEr tHE COUntEr-rEfoRMAtion, when the CatHolic ChurcH rEGaIned power iN polAnD, the szlAchta beCame aLMost excLusively CAtholic, deSpIte tHE FacT that CathoLicism waS not a majoRIty reLIgIon (thE CaTholic AnD OrThodoX churcHEs cOunteD approXiMately 40% Of the PoPulation Each, while the remaining 20% weRe Jews And meMbeRs of varioUs PROteStant churChes).

the Crown haD abOut DoublE thE PopulAtioN Of litHUania And fIVe times thE InComE OF tHe latter's trEASUry. as witH otHEr counTrieS, the borders, area anD Population of thE ComMONweAltH VariEd Over time. After tHe PEaCE Of Jam ZapOlSki (1582
Polish origin who converte d to Catho licis m i n i nc reas ingnumbers with e a ch f ollowing generation. F or th en on-P o li sh no ble suc h  c o n ver si on  me an t  a  fina l s tep ofPolonizati onth at followedt he  adoptionofthe Polish l ang uage a nd  cu l ture.  Po land,  as th e  cultu rally mos ta dvance d  part o f th e Co mmonwealth, witht he royal court, t he cap it a l, t helar gest citie s,  thes econd-o l de s t uni v ersity in Cen tral Europe (af ter Pr ag ue) ,  and t he mo re lib eral and de mocr atic soci al ins t itution s  had pr oven a n i rre sist i bl emag ne t  fo r  t hen on- Polish n ob il ity i n th e C o mmon wea lth.  Many  referred tothe msel v esas "g enteRuth en us, n atione  Polo nu s" (Ruthenian b y bl ood, Poli shby  na ti onali t y) sin cethe  16th c enturyo nwa rd s . 
A s a result, in the  e a s te rn terri tories aPo l ish (orPo lon ized ) arist ocra c ydominate d a pe a sa nt ry whos egreatma jor ity  wasn eith er Pol ish norCatho l ic. Moreover,t he decades of pe a c eb roug hthuge coloni zati o n ef fort s  t o n o waday s Ukr ai n e, heightening the ten si ons am ong n obles, Jews,Cossacks ( t r a ditional ly O r th o dox), Polish a nd Ru thenian pe a sants. T he la tter, de prived of t heir nat ive  pr ote cto r s  a mong the Ruth e n ianno bility,  tu rned fo r p rot ect ion  t o cossack s that f ac il it at edviole n ce thatin  th eend  brok e  the C ommon weal th .T hetension s  w e r e ag gr av ated  by  c onfli ctsb etw een Eas tern Orth odo x y an dth e Greek  Catholic Chu rc h followin gthe  Union o f Brest,  overall discrimination of Orth odo x rel igio ns by dom ina nt Cat hol i cism,and se veral  C oss a c k upr i s in gs.  I n the west a ndnorth ,many  cities  had sizable Germa n  mi norities, oft enbelo n g in g t o  L u the ra n  or R eformed churche s. The Com mo n we alth had a l soon e of th e large st Je w ish dia sporas in  the worl d– by t hemid-16th c entury 8 0% of the world ' sJewsliv ed inPo lan d (Pi c. 16) . 

U ntilthe Re fo rmatio n, th eszlachta  were mostly Catholic o r East ern O rth odox (Pic . 3 ,  13 ). Howeve r, m any famili esqui cklyado p ted t he R e fo rme d  reli gion .  After th e  C oun t e r- Reformation , w hen  theCat h olic C hurc h regained poweri n Poland, theszla c h tabec a me a lm ost exclusivel y C at h o lic, des pi te the fact  that Ca th o licis m wasnot amajorit y re l igion(the  Ca tholic an d O rt h odox ch ur ch e s coun tedap proxim ately4 0% o f the population e ach,w h ile t h e r emain in g 20% w e re J ews and me mbers of va riousProt estan t churc he s).

T heCr own had ab o ut double  thepopulat io n of  Li thuani a an d fivetime sthe  income o f th e  l at t er' s tr easur y.  Aswith othe r  countri es, the bor de rs, a rea an d  p o p ulation of  th e Com m o nwealth va r iedo ve r  time . Afte r thePeace o f  Ja mZapolsk i ( 1 5 82
Polish origin_who converted_to Catholicism in increasing_numbers with_each_following generation._For_the non-Polish noble_such conversion meant_a final step of_Polonization that followed_the_adoption of the Polish language and culture. Poland, as the culturally most advanced part_of_the Commonwealth,_with_the_royal court, the capital, the_largest cities, the second-oldest university_in Central_Europe (after Prague), and the more liberal and_democratic_social institutions had_proven an irresistible magnet for the non-Polish nobility in_the Commonwealth. Many referred to themselves_as "gente Ruthenus,_natione_Polonus"_(Ruthenian by blood, Polish_by nationality) since the 16th century_onwards.

As a result, in the eastern_territories a Polish (or Polonized) aristocracy dominated_a peasantry whose great majority was_neither Polish nor Catholic. Moreover,_the decades_of peace brought huge colonization_efforts to nowadays_Ukraine, heightening_the tensions among_nobles, Jews, Cossacks (traditionally Orthodox), Polish_and Ruthenian peasants._The latter, deprived of their native_protectors_among the Ruthenian_nobility,_turned_for protection_to cossacks that_facilitated_violence that_in_the end broke the Commonwealth. The_tensions_were aggravated by conflicts between Eastern Orthodoxy_and the Greek Catholic_Church_following the Union of_Brest, overall discrimination of Orthodox_religions by dominant Catholicism, and several_Cossack uprisings._In the_west and north, many cities had sizable German minorities, often belonging_to Lutheran or Reformed churches. The_Commonwealth had also one_of the_largest_Jewish diasporas in_the_world –_by the mid-16th century 80% of the_world's Jews_lived in Poland (Pic. 16).

Until the_Reformation, the szlachta were_mostly_Catholic or Eastern Orthodox (Pic. 3,_13). However, many families quickly adopted_the Reformed religion. After the_Counter-Reformation,_when_the Catholic Church regained power_in Poland, the szlachta became almost_exclusively Catholic, despite_the fact that Catholicism was not a_majority_religion (the Catholic and Orthodox churches_counted_approximately 40% of the population each,_while_the_remaining 20% were Jews and_members of various Protestant churches).

The Crown_had about double the population of Lithuania and five_times the income_of the latter's treasury. As_with_other_countries, the borders, area and population of the Commonwealth varied_over time._After the Peace_of Jam Zapolski (1582