TED-Ed: A day in the life of a Cossack warrior - Alex Gendler

In 1676, the Zaporozhian Cossacks face a tense situation after the Treaty of Żurawno ends hostilities between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Ottoman Empire. Despite their formidable reputation, the Cossacks struggle to maintain freedom due to shifting alliances. Under hetman Petro Doroshenko, they allied with the Ottomans, gaining independence but losing local support. With Doroshenko exiled, Stepan leads a diverse group of Cossacks, maintaining order and supporting Ivan Sirko, who plans to ally with Moscow. The Cossacks prepare to attack a vulnerable Ottoman camp, aiming to defend their autonomy. Over time, they become known for their spirit of independence, though they eventually serve the Russian government they once opposed.

What was the primary reason for the Cossacks' alliance with the Ottoman Empire?

• To gain access to new trade routes

• To free themselves from Polish control

• To convert to Islam

• To expand their territory into Asia

What was a key characteristic of Stepan's battalion?

• They were primarily composed of former Polish soldiers

• They were a diverse group with different traditions

• They strictly followed the Cossack code

• They were all from the same ethnic background

What was the Sich known for?

• Its luxurious lifestyle

• Its strategic military importance

• Its lack of organization

• Its isolation from other Cossack groups

Who was the new hetman that Stepan supported?

• Petro Doroshenko

• Ivan Sirko

• Yuri

• Ilya Repin

What was the long-term impact of the Cossacks' actions?

• They eventually enforced Russian rule

• They established a new independent state

• They were forgotten in history

• They became a symbol of peace