History of the Cossacks facts for kids
The history of the Cossacks is a long and exciting story that spans many centuries. The Cossacks were a group of people, mostly from Eastern Europe, known for their strong warrior traditions and love of freedom. They lived in the vast grasslands of what is now Ukraine and Southern Russia.
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Who Were the Cossacks?
Historians have different ideas about where the Cossacks came from. Some believe they were mainly Slavic, like Ukrainians and Russians. Others think they had mixed backgrounds, including Turkic groups like the Khazars and Tatars. Most modern experts agree that Cossacks came from both Slavic and Turkic peoples. They were often people who sought freedom or were not happy with the way society was organized.
The word "Cossack" first appeared in the 15th century. It described independent groups, including some Tatar people, who lived near the Dnipro River. Over time, the Cossacks became a distinct group with their own unique culture. They were known for being excellent horse riders and fierce fighters. Rulers of places like the Grand Duchy of Moscow and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth often hired Cossacks to protect their borders from raids.
By the 16th century, the Cossacks had formed two main independent groups:
- The Zaporizhia (or Zaporozhian Cossacks) lived on the lower parts of the Dnipro River in Ukraine. Their main base was the Zaporozhian Sich.
- The Don Cossack State (or Don Cossacks) lived near the Don River in Russia.
Don Cossacks: Warriors of the Steppe
The Don Cossacks were known as a unique group with a strong warrior culture. They often raided their neighbors to get resources and income. In 1444, Cossacks from Ryazan helped defend a city against the Golden Horde.
The Don Cossacks were famous for their attacks on the Ottoman Empire and its allies, like the Tatars. They also raided other nearby communities. Their actions often caused tension along the southern border of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Even powerful rulers like the Ottoman Sultan and the Russian Tsar, Ivan the Terrible, said they could not control the Don Cossacks. In 1539, the Sultan said, "The Cossacks do not swear allegiance to me, and they live as they themselves please." This shows how independent the Cossacks were.
Cossacks and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
From the 16th to the 17th century, the Zaporozhian Cossacks became subjects of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. However, they often acted independently.
The Zaporozhian Cossacks were skilled sailors. They used small, fast boats called chaiky to move quickly across the Black Sea. These boats could carry 50 to 70 men. The Cossacks used them to raid coastal towns and free Christian slaves. Their raids were so successful that even European powers like the Pope tried to work with them against the Turks.
In 1615, the Cossacks even sailed to the walls of Tsarhorod (the Turkish capital, now Istanbul). They plundered ports and freed slaves. They raided the city several times, showing their bravery and skill.
After 1624, the Zaporozhian Cossacks focused more on land battles. Many people from Poland and Lithuania joined them, increasing their numbers. However, the Polish nobility did not treat the Cossacks as equals. This made the Cossacks less loyal to the Commonwealth.
The biggest Cossack uprising against the Commonwealth was the Khmelnytsky Uprising (1648–1654). This event greatly weakened the Commonwealth. As a result, the Zaporozhian Host came under the control of the Tsardom of Russia through the Treaty of Pereyaslav in 1654. This led to the creation of the Left-bank Ukraine in 1667.
Cossacks in Tsarist Russia
After joining Russia, the Cossack nation was divided into two parts: the Cossack Hetmanate and the more independent Zaporozhia. Over time, these groups slowly lost their independence. By the late 18th century, Catherine II abolished them.
Many Cossacks who wanted to keep their traditional way of life moved to other areas, including the Kuban region. Today, their descendants are known as the Kuban Cossacks.
In the Russian Empire, Cossacks formed 12 separate military groups, called voiskos, along the country's borders. Each Cossack village, called a stanitsa, held its land together. All Cossack men had to serve in the military for 20 years, starting at age 18. They had to provide their own uniforms, equipment, and horses, while the government supplied the weapons.
In return for their service, the Cossacks received large grants of land from the state. They also had their own local governments and a higher level of education compared to other parts of Imperial Russia. Besides farming, they raised cattle and horses, grew grapes, fished, hunted, and kept bees.
Before World War I, there were over 300,000 Cossack men ready for military service. They were a significant part of the Russian army.
Cossacks in the Russian Revolution and World War II
During the Russian Revolution and the Russian Civil War that followed, Cossacks fought on both sides. Many officers and experienced Cossacks joined the White Army, which opposed the Bolsheviks. Some poorer Cossacks joined the Red Army.
After the White Army lost, the new Soviet government began a policy called "Decossackization." This aimed to remove the Cossacks' special status and power. Their lands were divided, and many Cossacks faced arrests and harsh treatment. The famine of 1933 hit Cossack lands very hard. Historians estimate that hundreds of thousands of Cossacks were killed or deported during this time.
When World War II began, Cossacks again found themselves on different sides. Most fought for the Soviet Union. However, some Cossacks, who deeply disliked the Communist government, collaborated with the Germans. This was especially true for some Don Cossacks, who had suffered greatly under Soviet policies.
During the Battle of Stalingrad, Cossack attacks helped stop the Germans from reaching the oil-rich Caucasus region. The Terek Cossacks and Kuban Cossacks were especially brave in defending the mountains.
From 1943 onwards, Cossacks were mainly used for scouting and logistics, which means helping with supplies and transport. Many fought through Romania and into the Balkans. Most of the Cossacks who collaborated with the Germans fled as the Soviet army advanced. However, under agreements with the Allies, thousands were sent back to the USSR. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Cossacks could openly remember those who were lost.
Cossacks Today
Today, many Cossack communities exist in Russia and Ukraine. In Russia, both official and unofficial Cossack groups identify with Cossack traditions. They work with each other and with the Russian Orthodox Church. In 2018, an All-Russian Cossack Community was set up to help coordinate cultural work and strengthen Cossack roots.
In Ukraine, there are hundreds of different Cossack associations. One important group is "The Ukrainian Registered Cossacks" (URC), which was established in 2002.
See also
- Hetman
- Hetmans of Ukrainians Cossacks
- Kosiński Uprising
