Cossacks
At a glance:
- Series: Magill’s Guide to Military History
- Categories: Military History, Civilizations, Cultures
- Subcategories: Generals, Military Officers, Soldiers
- Curriculum: Renaissance History, 17th Century European History, Russian/Former Soviet States History
- Geographical Location: Russia
- Date: 1450-1800
Article abstract: Military significance: Led by the powerful chieftain Yermak Timofeyevich, the Cossacks added much of Siberia to Russia (1581-1587).
The word “Cossacks” does not refer to a specific ethnic group; rather, it is derived from the Russian word “kosak” and is best defined as “free warrior” when applied to the group known as the Cossacks. The Cossacks developed in the latter part of the Tatar domination of Russia, which ended in 1480. They were partially a reaction to serfdom being imposed by the princes of Moscow. However, those princes...
[The entire page is 338 words long]
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