The Problem of the Origin of Bogdan Khmelnytsky and His Activity until 1648 in Modern Ukrainian Historiography

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the problem of the origin of B. Khmelnytsky, his life up to 1648, which could not but become the object of research attention and conceptualization in modern Ukrainian historiography. After all, it is an integral part of hetman's image, which greatly influences the interpretations of political concepts and different directions of Hetman's activity, and finally determines his role in history. It is also noted that the consideration of these issues has gone beyond purely applied interest. Some of them were extended to the horizons of the interpretation of the worldview components, Hetman’s political program and its practical implementation.

The paper proves that, despite the lack of the source base, which has not been able to be expanded, the set of questions related to the origin, education, family life, and the character of B. Khmelnytsky attracted much more attention in contemporary Ukrainian historiography than in Polish and Russian. It is noted that in the conceptual plan, there are no great disagreements among Ukrainian historians. Even the antagonists have agreed to present this issue in a similar way.