History, Culture, and Evolution of the Cossacks

What were the Cossacks often compared to?

• Knights of the Crusades

• Cowboys of the American Wild West

• Samurai of Japan

• Gladiators of Ancient Rome

Who was the first ruler of the Romanov Dynasty that received support from the Cossacks?

• Peter the Great

• Ivan the Terrible

• Michael Romanov

• Nicholas II

What unique characteristic defined the Cossacks' society?

• A hereditary monarchy

• Total democracy with elected leaders

• Strict military hierarchies

• Strict military hierarchies

What major change occurred to the Cossacks during the 17th and 18th centuries?

• They established their own empire

• They were assimilated into the Russian Empire

• They converted to Islam

• They formed alliances with Napoleon

What significant obligation did the Cossacks owe the Tsar as part of their military service?

• 20-30 years of service with their own equipment and horses

• Training foreign troops for the Tsar’s army

• Settling new lands without compensation

• Guarding the borders without leave

Which atrocity were the Cossacks responsible for in 1648-1649?

• The overthrow of the Tsar

• The massacre of 300,000 Jews

• The destruction of the Ottoman Empire

• The sacking of Moscow

How did the 1905 Russian Revolution affect the Cossacks?

• They became more loyal to the Tsar

• Many Cossack units mutinied against orders to crush the rebellion

• They expanded their territories

• They gained complete independence

According to Tolstoy, what defined the Cossacks?

• Their loyalty to the Tsar

• Their skill in warfare

• Their love of freedom

• Their communal property system