"The historical and folklore basis of the story of N.V. Gogol Taras Bulba" methodical development in literature (grade 7) on the topic. The historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba"

Lesson topic : The historical and folklore basis of the work of N. V. Gogol "Taras Bulba".

Type of lesson : combined

The purpose of the lesson :

• to deepen students' knowledge about the biography and work of N.V. Gogol;
• to identify students' perception of the story "Taras Bulba";
• to acquaint with the historical basis of the work of N.V. Gogol.

During the classes

1. Homework survey - biography of N.V. Gogol.
2. Introduction by the teacher.

Epigraph: Ukraine was quietly worried.

For a long time, a spark flared up in her.

Friends of folk antiquity

The people looked forward to war ...

A. S. Pushkin "Poltava"

Back to the epigraph “For a long time a spark flared up in it ...” Fire -here is the key word of that era. The life of people passed in the fire of battles, the Cossacks very often played with fire, they had to be between two fires: on the one hand, the Tatars, on the other, the Poles. The Cossack army passed through towns and villages with fire and sword.

The Mongol invasion in the 13th century led to the final collapse of the old Kievan Rus. The lands in the west were under the rule of the Lithuanian princes, and partly became part of the Polish kingdom. In 1569, Lithuania and Poland united to form the Commonwealth.

In 1596, in the city of Brest-Litovsk, a union (ie, union) of the Orthodox and Catholic churches was concluded, according to which the Orthodox population of the Commonwealth was to recognize the supreme authority of the Pope. However, most of the population did not want to go for it. In Ukraine, one after another, uprisings began to break out. The Ukrainian Cossacks were the main force in them.

Zaporozhye Cossacks

The action takes place in the 15th century.

The Cossacks considered themselves the defenders of the Christian faith and the Orthodox Church, but during the wars with the Poles they engaged in robberies and committed brutal murders.

The Cossacks call themselves Russians, because. At that time, the Ukrainians called themselves that.

History of the creation of the story

The story was written in 1835 - a difficult period of Polish-Russian relations. By that time, the Polish state had lost most of its lands.

In 1830, the Poles revolted in an effort to win back their independence. Russian society reacted to the rebels with hostility. The uprising was condemned by Pushkin, Gogol and many other cultural figures.

Gogol got acquainted with historical works with great interest, but there is not a single definite historical fact in the work, even the siege of Dubno is correlated not with history, but with legend. The writer created an ideal picture of the Cossack freemen, and the imagination painted battles, free and wild steppes, powerful characters, strong natures.

3. Conversation.

In which epic genre have we already metwith mighty heroes, selfless in the fight against the enemies of the motherland and selflessly loving their native land? Of course, in epics. Gogol and Taras Bulba calls the old Cossack, as in the epic Ilya Muromets. The writer relied on folklore, especially folk songs.

What is the main theme of the work of N.V. Gogol? A poem about love for the motherland. Although the author deals with many topics, in the text we also meet love for a woman, the love of a father, mother. But the writer put the main emphasis on the description of the protection of his native land.

1. Writing in notebooks.

Phraseologisms.

“Be patient, Cossack, - you will be the chieftain ...”

"There is no bond more holy than fellowship..."

"There is no power stronger than faith..."

"Taras Bulba" is a marvelous epic written with a bold and broad brush, this sharp sketch of the heroic life of an infant nation, this is a huge picture in a tight framework, worthy of Homer. V.G. Belinsky

“The whole was created for abusive anxiety and was distinguished by the rude directness of his temper. He loved the simple life of the Kozaks and quarreled with those of his comrades who were inclined towards the Warsaw side, calling them serfs of the Polish lords. Eternally restless, he considered himself the legitimate defender of Orthodoxy ... "- Taras Bulba

“Ahead of the friends, the hero of all the rich, the most beautiful of all, swept past. So black hair flew from under his copper cap; an expensive scarf crocheted along the hand, sewn by the hands of the first beauty ... and meanwhile, embraced by the ardor and heat of battle ... rushed like a young greyhound dog, the most beautiful and youngest of all in the pack ... ”- Andriy Bulba.

It seemed to him that a battle path and a difficult rank to manage military affairs were written in his family ... His movements now began to be signified with tested confidence, and the inclinations of the future leader could not but be noticeable in them. His body breathed strength, and knightly qualities have already acquired the broad strength of a lion ”Ostap Bulba.

1. Home work.

Comparative characteristics of Ostap and Andriy in a notebook, in writing.

The main feature of a work of art on a historical theme is that the author organically combines in it a story about events that actually took place with the author's fiction. In this regard, the story of N.V. Gogol "Taras Bulba" is somewhat unusual in this regard: historical events are not specified in it, moreover, when reading, it is sometimes quite difficult to determine at what time the actions unfold - in the 15th, 16th or 17th century. In addition, none of the heroes is a historical person, including Taras himself. Despite this, since the appearance of the work, it has been considered an epic story, sometimes called a novel. What is the strength and scale of "Taras Bulba"?

History of the creation of the story

The writer's appeal to the theme of the Cossacks was not accidental. A native of the Poltava province, from childhood he had heard a lot about the heroic deed of the people during the struggle against numerous external invaders. Later, when Gogol had already begun to write, such brave and devoted people as Taras Bulba were of particular interest to him. There were many of them in the Sich. Often, former serfs became Cossacks - they found a home and comrades here.

N.V. Gogol studied many sources devoted to this issue, including manuscripts of Ukrainian chronicles, historical studies of Beauplan and Myshetsky. Not satisfied with what he read (in his opinion, they contained meager information, which was not enough to understand the soul of the people), Gogol turned to folklore. and thoughts dedicated to talking about the characteristics of the characters, customs and life of the Cossacks. They gave the writer excellent "live" material, which became an excellent addition to scientific sources, and some storylines in a revised form entered the story.

The historical basis of the story

"Taras Bulba" is a book about free people who inhabited the territory of the Dnieper region in the 16-17th centuries. Their center was the Zaporizhian Sich - its name is due to the fact that it was fortified on all sides by a fence of fallen trees - notches. It had its own way of life and management. Subjected to frequent attacks by the Poles, Turks, Lithuanians, the Cossacks had a very strong, well-trained army. They spent most of their time in battles and military campaigns, and the trophies obtained became the main means of subsistence. It is no coincidence that the rooms in the house where his wife lived alone include numerous signs of the host's camp life.

The year 1596 became fatal for the Ukrainian people, who at that time were under the rule of Lithuanians and Poles. adopted a union about the unification under the authority of the Pope of Rome of two Christian religions: Orthodox and Catholic. The decision made further complicated the difficult relations between the Poles and the Cossacks, which resulted in open military confrontations. Gogol devoted his story to this period.

Image of the Zaporozhian Sich

The main school for the education of persistent, courageous warriors was a special way of life and management, and experienced Cossacks, who more than once showed their prowess in battle, became teachers. One of them was Colonel Taras Bulba. His biography is a story about the formation of a true patriot, for whom the interests and freedom of the fatherland are above all else.

It reminded me of a large republic based on the principles of humanism and equality. Koshevoy was chosen by general decision, usually from among the most deserving. During the battle, the Cossacks had to obey him unconditionally, but in peacetime it was his duty to take care of the Cossacks.

In the Sich, everything was arranged to ensure the life and military campaigns of its inhabitants: all kinds of workshops and forges worked, and cattle were bred. Ostap and Andriy will see all this when Taras Bulba brings them here.

The history of the short existence of the Zaporozhye Republic showed a new way of organizing people's lives, based on brotherhood, unity and freedom, and not on the oppression of the weak by the strong.

The main school for the Cossack - military brotherhood

How the formation of young warriors took place can be judged by the example of the sons of Taras, Ostap and Andriy. They graduated from the bursa, after which their path lay in Zaporozhye. The father meets his sons after a long separation not with hugs and kisses, but with a test of their strength and dexterity on his fists.

The life of Taras Bulba was unpretentious, as evidenced by the feast in honor of the arrival of his sons (“bring ... the whole ram, the goat ... and more burners” - with these words the old Cossack addresses his wife) and sleep in the open, under the open sky.

Ostap and Andriy did not even stay at home for a day, when they set off for the Sich, where the best camaraderie in the world and glorious deeds for their homeland and religion awaited them. Their father was convinced that only participation in military battles could become a real school for them.

Cossacks

Approaching the Sich, Taras and his sons saw a Cossack sleeping picturesquely in the middle of the road. He sprawled out like a lion and was admired by all. Wide trousers like the sea, proudly tossed forelock (he was certainly left on a shaved head), a good horse - this is what a real Cossack looked like. It is no coincidence that the protagonist of the story appeals to his sons with an appeal to immediately change their “demonic” clothes (they came from the bursa in it) to another one worthy of a Cossack. And they really immediately changed in morocco boots, wide trousers, scarlet Cossacks and mutton hats. The image was complemented by a Turkish pistol and a sharp saber. Admiration and pride were caused by the good fellows sitting on glorious stallions from the father.

The historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba" obliged the author to treat the Cossacks impartially. With all due respect to them and their valor, Gogol truthfully says that sometimes their behavior caused condemnation and misunderstanding. This referred to the riotous and drunken life that they led in between battles, excessive cruelty (for the murder of the criminal they buried him in the grave along with the victim alive) and a low cultural level.

The power of camaraderie

The main advantage of the Cossacks was that at the moment of danger they could quickly mobilize and act as a single army against the enemy. Their selflessness, partisanism, courage and devotion to the common cause had no boundaries. In the story, Taras Bulba himself proved this more than once. The biography of other prominent warriors, including the experienced Tovkach, Kukubenko, Pavel Gubenko, Mosiy Shilo and the young Ostap, also emphasizes this.

Bulba said well about the unity and main purpose of the Cossacks in his speech on the eve of the decisive battle: “There are no ties holier than camaraderie!” His speech is an expression of great wisdom and holy faith that he and his brethren are defending a just cause. At a difficult moment, the words of Taras encourage the Cossacks, remind them of their sacred duty to protect their comrades, always remember the Orthodox faith and devotion to the motherland. The most terrible thing for the Cossack was betrayal: this was not forgiven to anyone. Taras kills his own son, having learned that because of his love for a beautiful Polish woman, he preferred personal interests to public ones. So the bonds of brotherhood were more important than blood. The fact that this fact corresponded to reality is evidenced by the historical basis of the story.

Taras Bulba - the best representative of the Cossacks

A colonel with a stern character, who went through a glorious military path. A glorious ataman and comrade who could support with an encouraging word and give good advice in difficult times. He had a burning hatred for the enemy who encroached on the Orthodox faith, and did not spare his own life for the sake of saving his homeland and his brothers in arms. Accustomed to a free life, he was content with a clean field and was absolutely unpretentious in everyday life. This is how Gogol portrays the main character. He spent his whole life in battles and always found himself in the most dangerous place. Weapons, a smoking pipe and the glorious horse of Taras Bulba were his main wealth. At the same time, he could joke and joke, he was satisfied with life.

The hero, disappointed in his youngest son, felt great pride in Ostap. Risking his life, Bulba came to the place of execution to see him for the last time. And when Ostap, who endured deathly torments, called him at the last minute, he expressed his pride, approval and support not only to his son, but to his comrade-in-spirit, comrade-in-arms with one word that made the whole square shudder. Until the end of his life, Taras will grieve for his son and avenge his death. The experience will add to him cruelty and hatred for the enemy, but will not break his will and fortitude.

The story does not contain the usual description of Taras Bulba for the hero, since this is not so important. The main thing is that he has such qualities, thanks to which it was possible to survive in that cruel time.

Hyperbolization of Taras in the execution scene

The characterization of the hero is supplemented by a description of his death, which is largely absurd. The hero is captured, as he bends down to pick up the fallen pipe - even he does not want to give it to the damned enemy. Here Taras resembles a folk hero: a dozen or three people could hardly defeat him.

In the last scene, the author does not describe the pain from the fire that the hero experienced, but his anxiety for the fate of his brothers floating down the river. At the moment of death, he behaves with dignity, remaining true to the main principles of fellowship. Most importantly, he was sure that he had not lived his life in vain. This is what a real Cossack was like.

The significance of the work today

The historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba" is the liberation struggle of the people against the invaders who encroached on their country and faith. Thanks to such strong-willed people as Taras Bulba, his son and comrades, it was possible to defend independence and freedom more than once.

The work of N.V. Gogol and his heroes have become a model of masculinity and patriotism for many, so it will never lose its relevance and significance.

The historical basis of the story of N. V. Gogol "Taras Bulba".
N.V. Gogol's story "Taras Bulba" reflects the main events of the 16th century: in Ukraine at that time, Polish gentry - "pans" became large landowners, who introduced Polish laws in their lands and planted "their faith" - Catholicism.
The bulk of the population of Ukraine professed Orthodoxy and did not want to convert to Catholicism: apostasy has always been considered a terrible sin by the Russian people. In addition, the arrival of the Polish lords on the Ukrainian lands was accompanied by a deterioration in the life of the people: the peasants were deprived of the best land plots that had belonged to their families for centuries, many were simply driven off their land or resettled on unsuitable for agriculture, infertile lands. Large taxes were imposed on free peasants in order to force them to sell their land to a large landowner.
A “quiet” expansion of foreign territory began: everything Ukrainian, everything national was persecuted, the language, way of life and customs of the Polish people were planted. Some Ukrainian landlords adopted the customs and way of life of the Poles, but the people resisted desperately, resisted Polonization as best they could (Poland in Latin sounds like Polonia) and, if possible, waged an open struggle against the new owners and the new faith.

Expansion (lat. expansio) - expansion, expansion of boundaries or influence beyond the original limits, for example. trade expansion - the capture of new markets. — (Newest
dictionary of foreign words and expressions. — M.: AST; Minsk: Harvest, 2002. - P. 933.)

In order to somehow “pull” the Ukrainian people to their side, the Polish and Ukrainian landlords, under the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, came up with a “unia” - an “agreement” between the Orthodox and Catholics, in fact a new version of the Christian religion - Uniatism. Many church rites in Uniatism outwardly resembled the ritual side of Orthodoxy, but in fact Uniatism was and remains an offshoot of the Roman Catholic Church with its dogmas and ideas about how a Christian should live.
Ukrainians opposed the encroachment on the faith and moral foundations of their people in
XVI-XVII centuries, the fictional hero Taras Bulba is also fighting against the "damned pans", "poles".
The story of N.V. Gogol describes Zaporizhzhya Sich is a real historical object, originated in Ukraine in the Middle Ages: often the peasants of the western and middle regions of Ukraine, fleeing the Polish oppression, went to the east, many settled in the lower reaches of the Dnieper. Here, at the Dnieper rapids, on the island of Khortitsa, a large fortified camp of Cossacks and runaway peasants from Great Russia arose. (After the construction of the Dneproges in the 1940s, the island of Khortitsa, like part of the rapids, went under water.) They began to be called Zaporizhzhya Cossacks.
Zaporizhzhya Cossacks usually surrounded their camps with fences - fences made of cut down trees, pointed upwards. From the Ukrainian word sich, (in Russian - notch), the largest camp on Khortytsia got its name - Zaporizhzhya Sich.
The Cossacks is a conditional name, since there was no permanent population in the Zaporozhian Sich: as a rule, in the spring the bulk of the Cossacks gathered in the Sich, united in kurens - a kind of detachment that lived in one hut (kuren - hut), elected their kuren chieftain. For better management of such a combined population, kurens were united in camps, or kosh, which were headed by kosh chieftains. All the affairs of the Sich were decided at a general meeting - a council.
Many Cossacks were engaged in cattle breeding, hunting or various crafts, less often - agriculture. More often they went on long trips to Poland or the Crimea, to Turkish cities or Tatar settlements on the Black Sea coast. It is not worth idealizing the Cossacks: their campaigns were predatory, in the spirit of the Middle Ages.
However, by the end of the 16th century, the oppression of Poland became unbearable for the population of all Ukraine, so the Zaporozhye Cossacks, fugitive peasants and the population of the enslaved regions actively opposed the expansion of the Poles: they attacked Polish lands, burned crops and cities, drove away Polish landowners and "put them in their place" their landlords.
This went on for nearly a hundred years. In the second half of the 17th century, Ukraine voluntarily joined the Muscovite state (1654). Now a strong Orthodox state protected the interests of its citizens, most of whom were
Ukrainians - related to the Russian people.

Introductory lesson on the novel by N.V. Gogol "Taras Bulba"

Epoch and heroes: the historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba"

Grade: 7

Goals:

Deepen knowledge about the life and work of N.V. Gogol;

To acquaint with the historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba";

Determine the ideological component of the work.

Equipment: interactive board, computer.

During the classes

1. Organizing time
2. Repetition of the previous topic

Reception "Islands"

1. Conversation

Guys, why do you think during the study of "Songs about (...) Merchant Kalashnikov" we first talked about the historical basis of the work?

It is true, therefore, we will also begin the study of the story "Taras Bulba" with an acquaintance with the era about which Gogol wrote.

4. Short report of students about the biography and work of N.V. Gogol (two speakers, implementation of individual homework)

1. Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol was born in the town of Velikie Sorochintsy, Mirgorodsky district, Poltava province, in the family of a landowner. They named him Nicholas in honor of the miraculous icon of St. Nicholas, which was kept in the church of the village of Dikanka.

Gogol, together with his brother Ivan, studied at the Poltava district school, and then entered the gymnasium of higher sciences in Nizhyn. Here he paints, participates in performances - as a decorator and as an actor, and with particular success performs comic roles. He also tries himself in various literary genres (writes elegiac poems, tragedies, a historical poem, a story).

2. However, the idea of ​​writing has not yet "come into mind" Gogol, all his aspirations are connected with the "state service", he dreams of a legal career.

In St. Petersburg, Gogol wrote his first stories. "Evenings on a farm near Dikanka" is admired by everyone. Gogol becomes a famous writer.

The top of Gogol's fiction is the "Petersburg story" "The Nose". The story “Taras Bulba” acted as a contrast in relation to both the provincial and metropolitan world, capturing that moment of the national past, when the Cossacks, defending their sovereignty, acted as a whole, together and, moreover, as a force that determined the nature of common European history.

1. Work on the topic of the lesson. Teacher's lecture, historical commentary on the story

Today we have to find out what is the historical basis of the story "Taras Bulba" and who are the Zaporozhye Cossacks. You will have to present the lecture in a notebook in the form of a diagram.

Let's start from afar. In the 13th century, the Mongol invasion led to the final collapse of Kievan Rus.

The collapse of Kievan Rus

The teacher shows on the map (slide)

The eastern lands were under the yoke of the Horde khans, and the western lands were under the rule of the Lithuanian princes.

Mid 13th century - Mongol invasion

The collapse of Kievan Rus

The population of Poland and Lithuania were Catholics, and most of Ukraine and Belarus were Orthodox.

1596 - a union was concluded in Brest-Litovsk

(i.e. unification) of the Orthodox and

catholic church

The Ukrainian population refuses

accept Catholicism

The Poles began to persecute those who

Refused to accept union

Because of these events, the Ukrainian population began to perceive the Polish gentry as the main enemies. In order to protect national independence and religion, uprisings were organized, the main force of which were the Cossacks.

Some Cossacks lived along the southern borders of the Moscow State, on the Don and Yaik rivers, and some settled on the southern borders of Poland, on the Dnieper River. The center of the latter was the Zaporozhian Sich. In the Sich there was a church, outbuildings, living quarters - kurens, and its own rules and laws acted on its territory. Thus, the Zaporizhzhya Sich was a kind of "Cossack state".

Life of the "Cossack Republic"

• the Cossacks themselves chose and removed their chieftains themselves;
• did not recognize the orders of the Polish king;
• independently made campaigns against the Crimean Tatars and Turkey;
• women were not allowed into the Sich.

The story takes place in the 15th century.However, the events described in the story must have taken place either at the end of the 16th or in the first half of the 17th century. Gogol deliberately chooses a different time period, since he did not have the goal of depicting true historical facts or real historical figures.

The idea of ​​the work is to show the true defenders of the Christian faith and the Orthodox Church, true patriots, brave fighters for national independence. In the second edition of the story, the writer also emphasized the idea of ​​the unity of the Russian and Ukrainian people.

1. Fixing the material

Reception "Telegram"

Write a message on the telegram forms, briefly talking about what you learned in today's lesson.

Mid 13th century - the Mongol invasion, the collapse of Kievan Rus 1569 - Lithuania and Poland united into the state of the Commonwealth 1596 - a union (i.e. union) of the Orthodox and Catholic churches was concluded in Brest-Litovsk Ukrainian population refuses to accept Catholicism Poles began persecution of those who refused to accept union

By the end of the 16th century, the mass of the Ukrainian population began to perceive the Polish Catholic gentry * as their main enemy. * Gentry, gentry - Polish nobles.

end of the 16th century - uprisings break out in Ukraine. The main force in them is the Ukrainian Cossacks*. * Cossacks are free people who lived in the steppe and did not obey the state and its law.

The Cossacks lived along the southern borders of the Moscow State, on the Don and Yaik rivers they settled on the southern borders of Poland, on the Dnieper River

The center of the Dnieper Cossacks is the Zaporizhzhya Sich * * It was called so because it was located behind the impenetrable Dnieper rapids and was surrounded by notches (fortifications made of fallen trees). with a kind of "Cossack republic"

The life of the “Cossack Republic” was chosen by the Cossacks and removed their chieftains themselves; did not recognize the orders of the Polish king; independently made campaigns against the Crimean Tatars and Turkey; women were not allowed into the Sich.

The story takes place in the 15th century. The events described in the story must have taken place either at the end of the 16th or in the first half of the 17th century. Gogol deliberately chooses a different time period, since he did not have the goal of depicting true historical facts or real historical figures.

The idea of ​​the work is to show the true defenders of the Christian faith and the Orthodox Church, brave fighters for national independence. In the second edition of the story, the writer emphasized the idea of ​​the unity of the Russian and Ukrainian people.

"Taras Bulba" is a book about free people who inhabited the territory of the Dnieper region for centuries. Their center was the Zaporizhzhya Sich - its name is due to the fact that it was fortified on all sides by a fence of fallen trees - notches. It had its own way of life and management. Subjected to frequent attacks by the Poles, Turks, Lithuanians, the Cossacks had a very strong, well-trained army. They spent most of their time in battles and military campaigns, and the trophies obtained became the main means of subsistence. It is no coincidence that the description of Taras Bulba and the room in the house where his wife lived alone includes numerous signs of the host's camp life.

The year 1596 became fatal for the Ukrainian people, who at that time were under the rule of Lithuanians and Poles. The Commonwealth adopted a union about the unification under the authority of the Pope of Rome of two Christian religions: Orthodox and Catholic. The decision made further complicated the difficult relations between the Poles and the Cossacks, which resulted in open military confrontations. Gogol devoted his story to this period.

N.V. Gogol’s story “Taras Bulba” reflects the main events of the 16th century: in Ukraine at that time, Polish gentry “pany” became large landowners, who introduced Polish laws in their lands and planted “their faith” Catholicism. The bulk of the population of Ukraine professed Orthodoxy and did not want to convert to Catholicism: apostasy has always been considered a terrible sin by the Russian people. In addition, the arrival of the Polish lords on the Ukrainian lands was accompanied by a deterioration in the life of the people: the peasants were deprived of the best land plots that had belonged to their families for centuries, many were simply driven off their land or resettled on unsuitable for agriculture, infertile lands. Large taxes were imposed on free peasants in order to force them to sell their land to a large landowner.

A “quiet” expansion of foreign territory began: everything Ukrainian, everything national was persecuted, the language, way of life and customs of the Polish people were planted. Some Ukrainian landlords adopted the customs and way of life of the Poles, but the people resisted desperately, resisted Polonization as best they could (Poland in Latin sounds like Polonia) and, if possible, waged an open struggle against the new owners and the new faith.

Taras Bulba was a native "Cossack" who lived in Ukraine. In those distant times, Ukraine was captured by Polish and Lithuanian knights. Some wealthy residents of Ukraine went over to the side of the invaders. Taras Bulba and other patriots of their homeland organized the Zaporozhian Sich and fought against the invaders. Taras Bulba "was created for abusive alarm." He had a very difficult character. Everything testified to this: the decoration of his room, his attitude towards his wife, his behavior in battle. Taras had two adult sons: Ostap and Andriy. When the sons arrived from the bursa (lyceum, school), Taras decided to take them to the Sich. "They will be real Cossacks," Taras told his friends. The next day Taras took his sons to the Sich.

The story of N. V. Gogol describes the Zaporizhzhya Sich, a real historical object that arose in Ukraine in the Middle Ages: often the peasants of the western and middle regions of Ukraine, fleeing the Polish oppression, went east, many settled in the lower reaches of the Dnieper. Here, at the Dnieper rapids, on the island of Khortitsa, a large fortified camp of Cossacks and runaway peasants from Great Russia arose. (After the construction of the Dneproges in the 1940s, the island of Khortitsa, like part of the rapids, went under water.) They began to be called Zaporizhzhya Cossacks.

Zaporizhzhya Cossacks usually surrounded their camps with fences made of felled trees, pointed upwards. From the Ukrainian word sich, (in Russian notch) the largest camp on Khortitsa got its name Zaporizhzhya Sich. The Cossacks are a conditional name, since there was no permanent population in the Zaporizhzhya Sich: as a rule, in the spring the bulk of the Cossacks gathered in the Sich, united in a kuren, a kind of detachment that lived in one hut (kuren hut), elected their kuren ataman. For better management of such a combined population, kurens were united in camps, or kosh, which were headed by kosh chieftains. All the affairs of the Sich were decided at a general meeting of the Rada.

Many Cossacks were engaged in cattle breeding, hunting or various crafts, less often agriculture. More often they went on long trips to Poland or the Crimea, to Turkish cities or Tatar settlements on the Black Sea coast. It is not worth idealizing the Cossacks: their campaigns were predatory, in the spirit of the Middle Ages.

However, by the end of the 16th century, the oppression of Poland became unbearable for the population of all Ukraine, so the Zaporozhye Cossacks, fugitive peasants and the population of the enslaved regions actively opposed the expansion of the Poles: they attacked Polish lands, burned crops and cities, drove away Polish landowners and "put them in their place" their landlords.

This went on for nearly a hundred years. In the second half of the 17th century, Ukraine voluntarily joined the Muscovite state (1654). Now a strong Orthodox state protected the interests of its citizens, most of whom were Ukrainians akin to the Russian people.