Cossacks are an integral part of Russian history and culture. Their images - principled, bold and strong-willed - come to life on the pages of the immortal works of N. V. Gogol, M. A. Sholokhov and L. N. Tolstoy. Napoleon admired the Cossacks, called them the best light troops, with which he would go through the whole world. The fearless warriors and pioneers of the Russian outskirts in the Soviet period fell into the millstones of Stalinist repressions and would have sunk into oblivion, if not for the Russian government, which attempted to preserve and revive this cultural and ethnic community. What came of it, and what modern Cossacks are doing, read in the article.
Cossacks in national history
In the scientific community, there is some confusion about who the Cossacks are - a separate ethnic group, an independent nationality, or even a special nation descended from the Turks and Slavs. The reason for the uncertainty lies in the lack of reliablewritten sources that shed light on the appearance of the Cossacks, as well as many alleged ancestors, including Tatars, Scythians, Kasogs, Khazars, Kirghiz, Slavs, etc. Scholars are more or less unanimous regarding the place and time of the birth of the Cossacks: in the 14th century uninhabited steppe expanses in the lower reaches of the Don and Dnieper began to replenish with immigrants from neighboring principalities, fugitive peasants and other ethno-social groups. As a result, two large associations were formed: the Don and Zaporozhye Cossacks.
The etymology of the word "Cossack" also has several versions. According to one of them, the word means a free nomad, according to another - a hired worker or warrior, according to the third - a steppe robber. All versions, one way or another, create the image of a Cossack and have the right to exist. The Cossacks, indeed, were considered free people, excellent warriors who were trained in military skills from childhood and who had no equal in horseback riding. Including thanks to the Cossacks, the southern and eastern lands were annexed to Russia, and the state borders were protected from conquerors.
Cossacks and state power
Depending on the relationship with the ruling elite, the Cossacks were divided into free and service. The first were disgusted by state pressure, so they often expressed their dissatisfaction with the uprisings, the most famous of which were led by Razin, Bulavin and Pugachev. The second were subordinate to the royal power and received salaries and lands for their service. Systemthe organization of Cossack life was distinguished by democratic orders, and all fundamental decisions were made at special meetings. At the end of the 17th century, the Cossacks swore allegiance to the Russian throne, throughout the 18th century the state reformed the management structure of the Cossacks in the right direction for itself, and from the beginning of the 19th century until the revolution of 1917, the Cossacks were the most valuable part of the Russian army. In the initial Soviet era, a policy of decossackization was carried out, accompanied by mass repressions of the Cossacks, and in 1936 the restoration of the Cossacks began with the possibility of joining the Red Army. Already in World War II, the Cossacks were again able to show their best side.
However, during the period of the Soviet Union, the culture of the Cossacks began to be forgotten, but after the collapse of the USSR, its revival began.
Rehabilitation of the Cossacks
Declaration on the rehabilitation of the Russian Cossacks, subjected to repression, was adopted shortly before the collapse of the USSR in 1989. In 1992, the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation and the Decree of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation were issued, which fixed the provisions regarding the restoration and functioning of the Cossack societies. In 1994, the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation began to operate, which determined the development strategy for the Cossacks, in particular, the civil service of the Cossacks. As noted in the document, it was during the period of public service that the Cossacks acquired their characteristic features, therefore, in order to revive the Cossacks as a whole, it is necessary first of all to restore its statestatus. In 2008, an updated concept of state policy towards the Cossacks was adopted, the key goals of which were actions aimed at developing the state and other services of the Cossacks, as well as actions to revive traditions and educate the young generation of Cossacks. In 2012, the Strategy for the Development of the Russian Cossacks until 2020 was published. Its key task is to promote partnerships between the state and the Cossacks. The state register of Cossack societies is carried out by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation and its territorial bodies. Information to be included in the register: type of company, name of the company, address, total number and number of people involved in public or other service, the charter of the company and other data.
Below in the photo are modern Cossacks.
Priority areas of public policy
In relation to the Russian Cossacks, the Government of the Russian Federation has set the following priorities:
- attracting to the civil service (or other service), as well as improving the legal, economic and organizational foundations of the service;
- education of the younger generation;
- development of rural areas and agro-industrial complex in the places of residence of Cossack communities;
- improving local government.
The main activities of modern Cossacks
Cossacks in Russia are citizens of the Russian Federation who are members of Cossack societies and are direct descendants of Cossacks or citizens,wishing to join the ranks of the Cossacks. Societies are a non-profit form of self-organization of citizens of the Russian Federation to revive the traditions of the Cossacks in the country.
Cossack society is created in the form of a farm, stanitsa, city, district (yurt), district (departmental) or military Cossack society, whose members, in the prescribed manner, assume obligations to perform state or other service. The management of the Cossack society is carried out by the supreme governing body of the Cossack society, the ataman of the Cossack society, as well as other management bodies of the Cossack society, formed in accordance with the charter of the Cossack society.
In fact, military Cossack societies are at the top of the hierarchy.
Public service to which modern Cossacks are involved:
- Education of conscripts.
- Implementation of measures to prevent and eliminate the consequences of emergencies.
- Civil defense.
- Defence of territories.
- Environmental protection.
- Protection of public order.
- Ensuring fire safety.
- Ensuring environmental safety.
- Fight against terrorism.
- Protection of forests, wildlife.
- Protection of the borders of the Russian Federation.
- Protection of state and other important facilities.
Revived Cossacks: myth or real power?
Disputes about how to treat the Cossacks do not subside. Many call modern Cossacks mummers, props, a completely unnecessary linkwithout that numerous law enforcement agencies. In addition, there is great uncertainty in the distribution of budgetary funds among the Cossacks, and there are questions about the financial statements of the Cossack societies. The actions of some Cossacks fall under criminal or administrative prosecution, which also does not help to consolidate the positive reputation of the Cossacks. In the understanding of Russians, modern Cossacks are either public figures, or additional law enforcement agencies, or loafers dependent on the state, or second-rate unskilled employees who take on any job. All this uncertainty, the lack of a single ideological line, even between the Cossack communities of the same territory, creates obstacles in the revival of the Cossacks and a positive attitude towards the Cossacks on the part of citizens. A slightly different opinion about the Cossacks is shared by the population of the historically Cossack capitals - there the phenomenon of the Cossacks is perceived much more naturally than, say, in the capital of the country. We are talking about the Krasnodar Territory and the Rostov Region.
Modern Kuban Cossacks
Cossack societies operate in many regions of Russia. The largest military Cossack societies are the Great Don Host, the Kuban Cossack Host and the Siberian Cossack Host. The Kuban Cossack army was formed in 1860. To date, it includes more than 500 Cossack societies. Cossack patrols are a common occurrence for many Kuban cities. Together with the police, they prevented many crimes throughout the region. Kuban Cossacks successfully participate in the liquidationthe consequences of an emergency (for example, the Crimean flood), help prevent local conflicts, in particular, in the annexation of Crimea. They also participate in law enforcement at various events, including world-class events (2014 Olympics, Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix), serve at border posts, detect poachers, and much more.
The current governor of the Krasnodar Territory, Veniamin Kondratyev (like previous governors) is striving to support the Cossacks in every possible way: to expand their powers, to involve young people, etc. As a result, the role of modern Cossacks in the life of the region is growing every year.
Don Cossacks
Don Cossacks are the oldest Cossack army in Russia and the most numerous. The Great Don Army carries out public service and participates in military-patriotic work. Protection of public order, military service, border protection, protection of social facilities, countering drug trafficking, anti-terrorist operations - these and other tasks are performed by modern Don Cossacks. Of the well-known events in which they participated, one can note the peacekeeping operation in South Ossetia and the raid on the Large landing ship "Azov" against Somali pirates.
Uniform and awards of the Cossacks
Heraldic traditions span more than one century. The modern form of the Cossacks is divided into front, everyday and field, as well as summer and winter. Sewing rules are defined andwearing clothes, the rules for wearing shoulder straps in accordance with the Cossack rank. There are certain differences between the Cossack troops in the shape and color of uniforms, bloomers, stripes, bands of caps and the top of the hat. Changes in the award policy led to the approval of orders, medals, military and badges, which, on the one hand, preserve the traditions of the Russian Cossacks, and on the other, have their own distinctive features.
Conclusion
So, the Cossacks in modern Russia are divided according to the territorial basis, the type of society in which they are members, and they are also registered and non-registered. Only registered Cossacks can carry out public service, and the highest Cossack societies, in fact, are military Cossack societies. Each society has its Charter, form and structure. In Russia at this stage, the most significant are the All-Great Host of the Don and the Kuban Cossack Host. Kuban and Don Cossacks continue the traditions of their glorious ancestors, solve law enforcement and other tasks, and their ranks are replenished with young cadres every year.
