Jajička kozačka zajednica od XVI. do XVIII. stoljeća. Asimetrična komparacija s ranonovovjekovnim krajiškim zajednicama u Hrvatskoj

Marković, Ivan. (2018). Jajička kozačka zajednica od XVI. do XVIII. stoljeća. Asimetrična komparacija s ranonovovjekovnim krajiškim zajednicama u Hrvatskoj. Diploma Thesis. Filozofski fakultet u Zagrebu, Department of History
Department of East Slavic Languages and Literature. [mentor Roksandić, Drago and Čelić, Željka].

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Abstract

The central topic of this thesis is the phenomenon of borderland communities, i.e. the phenomenon of Cossack hosts and Military Frontier communities. According to the «borderland theory», a borderland (or frontier) is an area lacking firmly defined boundaries where different communities (civilisations, cultures, etc.) mix and interact. By applying two theoretical models (Kappeler and Rieber models), we came to the conclusion that there is a whole range of similarities between the Russian-Kazakh borderland and the area where the Military Frontier was formed (the border region between the Habsburg Monarchy and the Ottoman Empire). Both border regions separated communities with different religions (Christianity – Islam) and cultures (Western culture – Eastern culture). However, quite a few differences have been noticed as well. One of the most important ones arises from the fact that on its southeastern borders Russia was facing nomadic hordes which, unlike the Ottoman Empire, had not developed central institutions, thereby rendering any long-term peace agreements or alliances practically impossible. This led to an ever-increasing importance of Cossack hosts in defending southern borders, which partially answers the question why the state did not attempt to restrict their autonomy up until the 18th century. In the second chapter, we discussed the origins of Cossackdom. Having analysed the works of three prominent Russian historians – N. Karamzin, S. Solovyov and V. Klyuchevsky, we concluded that there are several theories about the origins of Cossack hosts, with the one promulgated by Klyuchevsky being most plausible. According to his theory, Cossacks descend from marginal social groups that found their home in the border region. In order to gain better understanding of the circumstances that gave rise to the Cossacks, we tried to explain the etymology of the word Cossack («казак»). While comparing a significant number of sources, we established that the name did not refer exclusively to warriors, but to wage labourers, too. The third chapter attempts to provide an overview of the emergence of the Yaik Cossack Host, its internal structure, and how its relations with Moscow developed. We embraced the theory that the Yaik Cossack Host originated on the Volga, the opinion shared by a great deal of Russian historians. While studying their origins, we established that Cossack hosts were ethnically more heterogeneous than their Military Frontier counterparts. Significant attention was paid to events that unfolded in the early 18th century. This was the time when the central government attempted to implement a military-administrative reform of the Yaik Cossack Host. These reforms aimed at reducing the Cossacks’ autonomy and imposing new military duties on 60 the local population, which also happened in the Military Frontier. The revocation of various privileges provided the main impetus for Yaik Cossacks and the frontiersmen of the Varaždin Generalate to stage armed rebellions during the second half of the 18th century.

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