Timothy Snyder: Making of Modern Ukraine. Class 11.Ottoman Retreat, Russian Power,Ukrainian Populism

Introduction

The professor introduces the topic of the lecture and explains what will be covered.

Introduction to the 18th Century

• The 18th century is a tricky period for historians to understand.

• The late Tony Judt and Paul Yushkovich both believe that the 18th century is the best century.

• Understanding what happened to Ukrainians in the 18th century requires keeping geography straight.

• Three major entities, including the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, Ukrainian Cossack states, and Crimean Khanate, are going to be dominated or dismissed by Russia by the end of the 18th century.

Geography

The professor discusses how geography plays a crucial role in understanding what happened during this time period.

Russian Empire Dominance

• Russia dominates from Baltic Sea to Black Sea zone starting from 1699 or beginning from 1700.

• By end of 18th century, Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth is out of picture. Ukrainian Cossack states have lost all their autonomy and basically work for Russia. Crimean Khanate ceases to exist.

• These three entities diminish while fighting one another.

Simultaneous Weakening and Disappearance

• As these three entities disappear, they do so in conflict with one another.

• It is Russia which breaks out into European age of discovery and becomes an empire in fully global sense of word.

Geography Challenges

• Keeping geography straight is essential when trying to understand what happened during this time period.

• Inside Ukraine, it's important to keep in mind Black Sea, Azov Sea, right bank and left bank.

Understanding the Right and Left Banks of Ukraine

In this section, the speaker explains that the terms "right bank" and "left bank" in Ukraine refer to the banks of the river from the point of view of the river. The speaker also highlights how important the Dnipro River is to Ukraine.

The Meaning Behind Right Bank and Left Bank

• "Right bank" and "left bank" refer to the banks of a river from the point of view of the river.

• The Dnipro River is very important to Ukraine, which is why right bank and left bank have been used for hundreds of years to describe different parts of Ukraine.

Importance of Understanding Right Bank and Left Bank

• Understanding right bank and left bank is crucial for understanding who controlled the river, which was a significant factor in economics and power in Ukraine.

• Currently, fighting is happening near Dnieper River in Kherson Oblast, which highlights how relevant these terms still are today.

Unification of North-South Enterprise

This section focuses on how unification in Ukraine was primarily a north-to-south enterprise. The speaker discusses where we are at with regards to identifying northern boundaries.

Unification as a North-to-South Enterprise

• Unification in Ukraine was primarily a north-to-south enterprise.

• By 1569, when Poland took control over much of what had been Lithuania, we get something like a northern boundary for Ukraine.

Identifying Northern Boundaries

• We have identified northern boundaries up until 1569 when Poland took control over much of what had been Lithuania.

• However, there's still work to be done regarding southern boundaries since it involves understanding the Crimean Khanate and the Ottoman Empire.

The Southern Border of Ukraine

This section focuses on the southern border of Ukraine, which is the northern coast of the Black Sea. The speaker highlights how this zone has been well-documented throughout history.

Significance of Southern Border

• The southern border of Ukraine is located along the northern coast of the Black Sea.

• This zone has been well-documented throughout history, with sources dating back to ancient times.

Written Sources in Ancient History

• Written sources are sparse before Christianization, but there are many written sources available from when Greeks were present in this region.

• Greeks have been present in this region since 5,000 BCE and have left a written trace throughout history.

Crusades and Sacking Constantinople

In this section, the speaker discusses how crusades impacted non-Western European history. They also highlight how sacking Constantinople was a pit stop for Western Crusaders on their way to liberate the Holy Land.

Impact of Crusades on Non-Western European History

• There were many crusades that went in unexpected directions.

• For example, Western Crusaders sacked Constantinople in 1204 while en route to liberate the Holy Land.

Sacking Constantinople

• Sacking Constantinople was not necessarily something that would be expected during a crusade.

• However, it happened because it was a nice pit stop for Western Crusaders on their way to liberate the Holy Land.

The Greeks and Crimea

This section discusses the history of Greek settlement in Crimea and its significance.

Greek Settlement in Crimea

• Greeks were present in Crimea throughout history, linguistically and culturally.

• The South coast of Crimea was a significant area for Greek settlement.

• The Crimean Hinterland was generally not touched by Greek settlement.

Importance of Crimean Peninsula

• The Crimean Peninsula is important because it explains how Russia legitimates its claim to the region.

• Rus did not control territoriality over the Crimean Peninsula or Southern Ukraine.

• Mongols established trade routes and states, including the Golden Hoard, which later broke up into smaller units such as Moscow and the Crimean Khanate.

The Crimean Khanate

• The Crimean Khanate was ruled by princes who were direct descendants of Genghis Khan.

• Turkic speakers mainly from a group called Cuman were present before the Mongolian ruling classes arrived.

• The assembly of nobles theoretically elected the Khan, similar to Poland-Lithuania's parliament.

Women and the Crimean Tatars in Lithuania

In this section, the speaker discusses the role of women in Lithuania until the 1560s and their disappearance from historical sources. The speaker also talks about the centuries-long encounter between Lithuania and the Crimean Tatars, which led to regular wars between them.

The Encounter Between Lithuania and Crimean Tatars

• In the 14th century, Lithuanians moved south into what is now Belarus and Ukraine due to pressure from Teutonic Knights.

• As a result of moving south, Lithuanians pushed up against the Crimean Tatars, leading to regular wars between them for decades.

• Lithuanians recruited dissenters and prisoners of war from among the Crimean Tatars into their own state.

• For centuries, there was an encounter between Lithuania and the Tatars because they were at war and had a common border.

Muslims in Grand Duchy of Lithuania

• Inside the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, there were lots of Muslims due to its meaningful encounter with the Crimean Tatars.

• Every town that mattered in Grand Dutch of Lithuania had a mosque because of the Crimean Tatars.

Polish-Lithuanian Identity

In this section, the speaker talks about how Poland-Lithuania had durable contact with Crimea after coming together in 1386. This contact became an important part of Polish-Lithuanian identity.

Contact with Crimea

• Poland-Lithuania had durable contact with Crimea after coming together in 1386.

• Poles synthesized what they learned from their long encounter with the Crimean Tatars, which is reflected in the swords they used themselves.

• The Crimean Tatars were an important state for several hundred years.

Ottoman Empire

In this section, the speaker briefly talks about the Ottoman Empire as a European power and how it became weak around 1650.

Ottoman Empire

• The Ottoman Empire was crucial as a European power.

• Around 1650, the Ottomans began taking control of the Crimean Khanate's policy, and this was around the time that the Ottoman Empire itself began to weaken.

The Ottoman Empire as a European Power

This section discusses the rise of the Ottoman Empire and its status as a European power.

Rise of the Ottoman Empire

• The Osman family gains control of Anatolia, today's Turkey, and territory south of the Black Sea.

• The Ottomans conquer the Balkans and become a European power from the start.

Struggle with Hapsburgs

• The crucial struggle is between the Ottomans and the Hapsburgs.

• The Hapsburgs are a family that rules from Vienna, while the Ottomans are an important land empire boxed up in the Eastern Mediterranean.

• From Istanbul's point of view, northward expansion is natural.

Attempts to Take Vienna

• In 1526, Ottomans gain control of most of Hungary but fail to take Vienna.

• They try again in 1683 but fail again when Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth lifts their siege on Vienna.

Sobieski and Ukrainian Cossacks at Kahlenberg

This section talks about Jan Sobieski, king of Poland who liberated Vienna from Ottoman siege in 1683.

Liberation of Vienna

• Jan Sobieski is king of Poland who liberates Vienna with help from Ukrainian Cossacks.

• When Polish Lithuanian army comes crashing down Kahlenberg mountain towards Vienna, they have 5,000 Ukrainian Cossacks with them.

The Austrians' Difficulty in Differentiating Poles and Crimean Tatars

In this section, the speaker talks about how the Austrians could not differentiate between the Poles and the Crimean Tatars during a battle. This was because they were very similar in dress, attire, and tactics.

Similarities Between Poles and Crimean Tatars

• The Austrians could not tell the difference between the Poles and the Crimean Tatars.

• The two groups were very similar in dress, attire, and tactics.

• The Viennese could not tell the Poles, Lithuanians from the Crimean Tatars due to their hairstyles, scimitars, and cavalry.

Solution to Differentiate Between Poles and Crimean Tatars

• The decision was made for the Poles to put a bit of straw in their helmets so that they could be distinguished from the Crimean Tatars.

• This anecdote reveals that centuries-long encounters between different groups mark them just as it marks other groups like Cossacks.

Importance of 1683 Victory

In this section, we learn about how important 1683 victory was for Austria. It led to their establishment as a land power in Balkans which eventually led to First World War.

Significance of 1683 Victory

• 1683 is when Austria turned tables on Ottomans.

• Between 1683 and 1699, Austria fought its way southward through Balkans establishing itself as a land power there.

• The Ottomans had to sign a peace treaty in 1699, which was the first time they had to sign a peace treaty as a defeated power.

• This changed the balance of power in the region.

Treaty of Karlowitz and Its Impact

In this section, we learn about the Treaty of Karlowitz signed by Ottomans as a defeated power. It led to changes in the balance of power and impacted Crimean Tatars who were hitched to Ottomans.

Treaty of Karlowitz and Its Impact

• The Treaty of Karlowitz was signed by Ottomans as a defeated power.

• This changed the balance of power in the region.

• The Crimean Tatars were hitched to Ottomans at that moment when they lost an important war and Ottoman power was driven southward.

Ukrainian Cossack State

In this section, we learn about how Ukrainian Cossack state gets blurred out of Polish history and Russian history. We also learn about how it aligned with different powers over time.

Ukrainian Cossack State

• The Ukrainian Cossack state gets blurred out of Polish history and Russian history.

• 1648 was not just a violent rebellion but also construction of new political order where governing elite has been driven away or physically eliminated or discredited.

• After 1648, Cossacks were constantly forced to align with Russians, Poles or Ottomans depending on circumstances.

Hetmans and the Division of Ukraine

This section discusses the efforts of Hetmans to unite the right bank and left bank of Ukraine, which were controlled by Russians and Poles respectively. The Treaty of Andrusova in 1667 divided Ukraine between these two powers.

Uniting Right Bank and Left Bank

• Hetmans aimed to unite the right bank (controlled by Russians) and left bank (controlled by Poles).

• Treaty of Andrusova in 1667 divided Ukraine between Russia and Poland.

• Leaders of Cossacks were on both sides, with aspirations to be on the other side.

Ottoman Involvement

• Doroshenko helped Ottomans defeat Poles in Podolia in 1672.

• Ottomans controlled Podolia after this event.

• Ottomans made peace with Poland in late 1670s, followed by peace with Russia in 1681.

Ottoman Defeat and Polish Control

• After Ottomans failed to take Vienna in 1683, they were driven south.

• Crimean Khan retired after taking personal responsibility for defeat.

• Poles took back control of Podolia in 1699.

Hasidism and Podolia

This section explains how Hasidism arose as a version of Orthodox Judaism due to shifting control over Podolia from Muslim Ottoman to Christian Polish rule.

Creation of Hasidism

• Hasidism was created by someone called Besht or Ba'al Shem Tov.

• It arose due to shifting control over Podolia from Muslim Ottoman to Christian Polish rule.

• The whole system of coming in with aristocracy and serfdom was disruptive for Ukrainians who rebelled against it.

Characteristics of Hasidism

• Hasidism emphasizes joy and direct contact with the mystic.

• It also has to do with printing press and access to books by people who are not completely literate.

• Hasidism is one of the reasons why Yiddish still exists as a language.

The section on Hasidism is a tangent, but it provides important context for understanding the significance of Podolia.

Kabbala and Hasidism

This section discusses the interpretation of the Bible through Kabbala and Hasidism.

Kabbala and Hasidism

• Kabbala is one way of interpreting the Bible by taking various combinations of letters to find hidden meanings in biblical verses.

• Hasidism is a more accessible way of interpreting the Bible that is associated with Orthodox Judaism.

• Hasidism broke out of Podolia into Ukraine, Poland, and eventually North America.

Russia's Move Back into Europe

This section discusses how Russia made its move back into Europe under Peter and Catherine.

The Russian Empire

• In the 18th century, Russia makes its move back into Europe with tremendous success under two great rulers, Peter and Catherine.

• The Russian Empire was a conscious rebranding exercise called Russia because it was named after Russ, not the other way around.

• Between 1683 and 1699, as the Ottomans were being driven southward, Russia took advantage by going north to the Baltic again.

• Ivan the Terrible foundered on the shores of the Baltic during his Livonian wars but this time, Russia succeeded in their move to the Baltic.

The Great Northern War

• The Great Northern War began in 1700 which turned out to be a Russian victory partly because Cossacks were fighting there.

• The Cossacks had been fighting for hundreds of years with and against the Poles, Lithuanians, and Tatars.

• When they were brought up to fight in Sweden, they faced a modern army with modern weapons, took huge casualties, were far away from home and taking orders from Russian imperial officers which led to discontent.

Mazepa's Betrayal

• In 1708, the Hetman of the left bank Ivan Mazepa made a decision to switch over to the Swedish side during a moment of crisis.

• Mazepa was older than Peter and had a fantastic European education. He'd been educated at the Kyiv Academy then by Jesuits in Poland before becoming counselor to the King of Poland.

The Cossacks and the Russian Empire

This section covers the history of the Cossacks and their relationship with the Russian Empire.

Mazepa switches sides to the Swedes

• In 1709, at the Battle of Poltava, Russia defeats the Swedes.

• In 1721, Russia founds its empire.

• In 1722, Petersburg is created as a new European capital.

• Mazepa dies in 1709.

Turning point for the Cossacks

• This is a turning point for the Cossacks.

• In 1719, they are banned from selling grain on their own and can only sell through Russian ports.

• In 1722, Russians create something called "the Little Russian Collegium" which will eventually rule over Cossack lands.

The Ottomans are down and Russians have free hand with Cossacks

• After 1699 Treaty of Karlowitz and after 1709 Battle of Poltava, Ottomans are down and Swedes are down. Russians have a free hand with Cossacks using them to fight against Swedes and Crimean Khanate.

The Russians managed to drive Crimean power out of southern Ukraine

• In a series of battles in the eighteenth century, Russians manage to drive Crimean power out of what is now southern Ukraine.

• In 1774, Crimea becomes a protectorate and in 1783 it is annexed by the Russian Empire.

Catherine's idea of a new Russia

• The Cossacks are swept up by Catherine's idea of a new Russia.

• Catherine has this idea that these lands that have just been conquered are virgin territories.

• These places are renamed New Russia.

New Russia and Imperial Knowledge

In this section, the speaker discusses how the Russians used science as a tool to gather imperial knowledge. They sent expeditions to Crimea to map everything and renamed all Turkic, Muslim, and Crimean Tatar names with Greek or Greek-sounding names. This was done to connect Russia with the classical world and justify their claim on Crimea.

Novorossiya

• Novorossiya means something that they want to make Russian, not necessarily something that is already Russian.

• The renaming of places in Crimea with Greek or Greek-sounding names was done to connect Russia with the classical world and justify their claim on Crimea.

Imperial Knowledge

• Science was one of the tools by which imperial knowledge was gathered.

• The Russians sent four expeditions of the Russian Imperial Academy of Sciences to Crimea to name everything, find all species, and map everything.

Renaming Places in Crimea

• All Turkic, Muslim, and Crimean Tatar names were replaced with Greek or Greek-sounding names.

• Kherson is an example of a completely invented name for a city being fought over right now.

• Mariupol sounds sorta Greek because it's part of the whole idea of taking old names and replacing them with new ones that sound like they're from Greece.

Obliterating Everything in Between

In this section, the speaker explains how connecting Russia with the classical world meant obliterating everything that happened in between. The renaming of places in Crimea helped create a usable national story for Ukraine but wasn't possible for Crimean Tatars who were physically displaced.

Connecting Russia with the Classical World

• Connecting Russia with the classical world meant obliterating everything that happened in between.

• The point of renaming places in Crimea was to say that Russia is connected with the classical world and, therefore, European.

Usable National Story

• The Ukrainians were able to create a usable national story by looking back to their Cossack past and writing about Cossack state continuities.

• The Crimean Tatars weren't able to make a move like this. They were largely dispersed and treated as alien, and their domination was much more complete.

Filling in the Gaps

In this section, the speaker talks about how people find it easier to think that Crimea is really Russia than Ukraine is really Russia because the history of Crimea has been very successfully obliterated. He emphasizes the importance of filling in gaps in history to make always claims seem unbelievable.

Obliteration of History

• The history of Ukraine has been pretty successfully obliterated, but the history of Crimea has been very successfully obliterated.

• People find it easier to think that Crimea is really Russia than Ukraine is really Russia because of this obliteration.

Filling in Gaps

• Part of the work we have to do in history is fill in gaps and get things where they were in the past.

• This helps make always claims seem unbelievable and prepares us for exams.

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Introduction

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Conclusion

The video ends at 48 minutes and 15 seconds.

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