Zaporizhzhya Sich is a Cossack republic

Zaporizhzhya Sich is a fortified cell of the Zaporozhye unregistered (lower-level) army from the second half of the 16th to the end of the 18th century. It was located beyond the rapids of the Dnieper on the island Khortitsa. Her creation was an impetus to the consolidation of the Ukrainian Cossacks. Zaporizhzhya Sich strongly influenced the formation of self-consciousness of the Cossacks and the approval of their organizational structure. The information about the Sechakh survived, which successively replaced each other. We will try to figure out what other influence Zaporozhian Sich has on the course of history, what it is and for what purpose it was created.

Device

Zaporozhye Sich is an island fortress, which was surrounded by ramparts with a palisade. On the perimeter were guns. Between the ramparts was a wide square, on the edge of which stood the barracks, the kurens, where the Cossacks lived. Several thousand were read on the Sich. Sometimes the number reached ten thousand. Permanent composition called kosh. On the territory there was also a church, a school, senior houses, military outbuildings. The Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos and its clergy subordinated to the Kiev-Mezhyhir Archimandrite. The open space near the church was the center of the social and political life of the Zaporozhye Sich. There were held councils and meetings.

Behind the ramparts was a bazaar, where merchants came with their goods. Sich-makers sold their products there. As a rule, it was game, fish. Zaporozhye Sich is a territory that was originally completely free of the landlord power. Panov and serfs were not there. The relationship between the Sich members was not based on conventional coercion, but on contractual terms. Everyone was free. The top of the Zaporozhye Sich, of course, had privileges. Senior ranks often became owners of large winterhouses, water mills, herds of cattle, etc.

Election of power

Zaporozhye Sich is a militarized organization with a clear hierarchy of power. Despite the fact that every Cossack was free, there were social differences. A rich sergeant-major obeyed the mass of poor Sichoviks. Between these class groups was a layer of small proprietors-the middle class. From among the wealthy Cossacks, a top-level election was elected by universal suffrage, which concentrated administrative power in their hands. She led the army and controlled finances, and also represented Sich in diplomatic relations.

Despite the suffrage of every Cossack, the sergeant almost always sought favorable decisions for himself. Zaporozhye Sich is an education that is called the Cossack Republic.

The segment society was divided into smoking. The highest authority was the Cossack Rada, which dealt with the most important issues. All Sich-people took part in it. It was there that the ataman was chosen. I was glad I could dismiss him. Sechevikov had his own court. There was a judicial code and a system of punishments. For stealing from their brethren, disobeying the order and insolence towards the higher command, for raping a woman during the march (there were no women on the Sich), sodomy and other misdemeanors could be lost by the court's decision.

Education

Zaporizhzhya Sich is a place where a lot of attention was paid to education. For the children of the Cossacks, churches operated schools. There they were taught literacy, music, singing, etc. Another indicator of the cultural development of Sich was a respectful attitude toward books that were considered a great value. Allow themselves to buy them could only well-to-do Cossacks. The book was considered one of the best gifts. It is believed that the origin of the word "sech" is Slavic. It is a derivative of "Sich" - a battle, a battle on swords. The meaning of the word "sech" for the Ukrainian Cossacks was inextricably linked with their fortress on the island of Khortitsa and elsewhere. It has become synonymous with home.

Cossacks' campaigns

Zaporozhets carried out sea and land trips to Poles, Turks, Tatars, Muscovites. For Russia and Poland, Sich was a long time convenient counterweight and at the same time a barrier from Crimean Tatars and Turks. However, freedom-loving Cossacks often fought with them. For the Ukrainian peasantry, which languished under the oppression of the Poles, Sich became a symbol of the struggle against the oppressors.

The Zaporozhtsi led all the peasant uprisings against the Polish gentry. They were a military and driving force. Cavalry predominated in the land of Cossacks. In the sea they came out on small ships - the so-called seagulls. Each of them accommodated 50-70 warriors. Ahead of the ship was a ataman with a flag. Each Cossack was armed with a saber, had two guns, carried six pounds of gunpowder, a nucleus for falconets, and carried one Nuremberg quadrant for orientation.

Elimination of the Sich

After the Russian-Turkish wars of the XVIII century, in which the Cossacks also took part on the side of Russia, the Crimea was annexed and the Black Sea coast was conquered. The immediate threat from the Turks and Tatars to the empire has disappeared. In the same period, there was a devastating uprising of Pugachev, which greatly frightened Catherine II. Having lost its geopolitical significance Zaporozhskaya Sich with its freeman was a potential source of danger for the ruler. It is these reasons that led to its elimination. After the capture of the fortress on Khortitsa, most of the Cossacks were resettled to the Kuban and the Don.