The January Insurrection by Congress Poland persists stubbornly for fifteen months.

Russia, after finally crushing the insurgency in August 1864, abolishes the Congress Kingdom of Poland altogether and revokes the separate status of the Polish lands, incorporating them directly as the Western Region of the Russian Empire.

The region is placed under the dictatorial rule of Mikhail Muravyov, who becomes known as the Hangman of Wilno.

All Polish citizens are assimilated into the empire.

When Russia officially emancipates the Polish serfs in early 1864, it removes a major rallying point from the agenda of potential Polish revolutionaries.