The conquest of Siberia is one of the most important processes in the formation of Russian statehood. The development of the eastern lands took more than 400 years. Throughout this period, there were many battles, foreign expansions, conspiracies, intrigues.
The annexation of Siberia is still the focus of attention of historians and causes a lot of controversy, including among members of the public.
The conquest of Siberia by Yermak
The history of the conquest of Siberia begins with the famous campaign of Yermak. This is one of the chieftains of the Cossacks. There is no exact data on his birth and ancestors. However, the memory of his exploits has come down to us through the centuries. In 1580, the we althy merchants Stroganovs invited the Cossacks to help protect their possessions from constant raids from the Ugric peoples. The Cossacks settled down in a small town and lived relatively peacefully. The bulk of the Volga Cossacks. There were just over eight hundred of them. In 1581, a campaign was organized with the money of merchants. Despite the historical significance (in fact, the campaign marked the beginning of the era of the conquest of Siberia),this campaign did not attract the attention of Moscow. In the Kremlin, the detachment was called simple "bandits".
In the autumn of 1581, Yermak's group embarked on small ships and began to sail up the Chusovaya River up to the very mountains. Upon landing, the Cossacks had to clear their way by cutting down trees. The beach was completely uninhabited. The constant rise and mountainous terrain created extremely difficult conditions for the transition. Ships (plows) were literally carried by hand, because due to the continuous vegetation it was not possible to install rollers. With the approach of cold weather, the Cossacks set up camp on the pass, where they spent the whole winter. After that, rafting on the Tagil River began.
Siberian Khanate
The conquest of Siberia by Yermak met the first resistance from the local Tatars. There, almost across the Ob River, the Siberian Khanate began. This small state was formed in the 15th century, after the defeat of the Golden Horde. It did not have significant power and consisted of several possessions of petty princes.
Tatars, accustomed to a nomadic way of life, could not equip cities or even villages well. The main occupations were still hunting and raids. The warriors were mostly mounted. Scimitars or sabers were used as weapons. Most often they were locally made and quickly broke down. There were also captured Russian swords and other high quality equipment. The tactics of swift horse raids were used, during which the riders literally trampled the enemy, after which they retreated. Foot soldiers were mostly archers.
Equipment of the Cossacks
Yermak's Cossacks received modern weapons at that time. These were gunpowder guns and cannons. Most of the Tatars had never even seen this before, and this was the main advantage of the Russians.
The first battle took place near modern Turinsk. Here the Tatars from the ambush began to shower the Cossacks with arrows. Then the local prince Yepanchi sent his cavalry to Yermak. The Cossacks opened fire on them with long guns and cannons, after which the Tatars fled. This local victory made it possible to take Chingi-tura without a fight.
The first victory brought the Cossacks many different benefits. In addition to gold and silver, these lands were very rich in Siberian fur, which was highly valued in Russia. After other servicemen learned about the booty, the conquest of Siberia by the Cossacks attracted many new people.
Conquest of Western Siberia
After a series of quick and successful victories, Yermak began to move further east. In the spring, several Tatar princes united to repulse the Cossacks, but were quickly defeated and recognized Russian power. In the middle of summer, the first major battle took place in the modern Yarkovsky region. Mametkul's cavalry launched an attack on the positions of the Cossacks. They sought to quickly close and crush the enemy, taking advantage of the rider in close combat. Yermak personally stood in the trench, where the guns were located, and began to fire on the Tatars. After several volleys, Mametkul fled with the whole army, which opened the way for the Cossacks to Karachi.
Arrangements for the employedland
The conquest of Siberia was characterized by significant non-combat losses. Difficult weather conditions and severe climate caused many diseases in the camp of forwarders. In addition to the Russians, Yermak's detachment also included Germans and Lithuanians (as people from the B altics were called).
They were the most disease-prone and had the hardest time acclimatizing. However, there were no such difficulties in the hot Siberian summer, so the Cossacks advanced without problems, occupying more and more territories. The captured settlements were not plundered or burned. Usually jewels were taken from the local prince if he dared to put up an army. Otherwise, he simply presented gifts. In addition to the Cossacks, settlers participated in the campaign. They walked behind the soldiers along with the clergy and representatives of the future administration. In the conquered cities, prisons were immediately built - wooden fortified forts. They were both civil administration and a stronghold in the event of a siege.
The conquered tribes were subject to tribute. The Russian governors in prisons were supposed to follow its payment. If someone refused to pay tribute, he was visited by the local squad. In times of great uprisings, the Cossacks came to the rescue.
The final defeat of the Siberian Khanate
The conquest of Siberia was facilitated by the fact that the local Tatars practically did not interact with each other. Different tribes were at war with each other. Even within the Siberian Khanate, not all princes were in a hurry to helpothers. The greatest resistance was put up by the Tatar Khan Kuchum. To stop the Cossacks, he began to gather an army in advance. In addition to his squad, he invited mercenaries. They were Ostyaks and Voguls. Among them met and know. In early November, the khan led the Tatars to the mouth of the Tobol, intending to stop the Russians here. It is noteworthy that the majority of local residents did not provide Kuchum with any significant assistance.
Decisive Battle
When the battle began, almost all the mercenaries fled the battlefield. Poorly organized and trained Tatars could not resist the battle-hardened Cossacks for a long time and also retreated.
After this devastating and decisive victory, the road to Kishlyk opened before Yermak. After the capture of the capital, the detachment stopped in the city. A few days later, representatives of the Khanty began to arrive there with gifts. The ataman received them cordially and communicated kindly. After that, the Tatars began to voluntarily offer gifts in exchange for protection. Also, everyone who knelt down was obliged to pay tribute.
Death at the peak of fame
The conquest of Siberia was not originally supported from Moscow. However, rumors about the success of the Cossacks quickly spread throughout the country. In 1582, Yermak sent a delegation to the tsar. At the head of the embassy was the ataman's companion Ivan Koltso. Tsar Ivan IV gave a welcome to the Cossacks. They were presented with expensive gifts, among which - equipment from the royal forge. Ivan also ordered to assemble a squad of 500 people and send them to Siberia. The very next year Ermaksubjugated almost all the lands on the coast of the Irtysh.
The famous chieftain continued to conquer unexplored territories and subjugate more and more nationalities. There were uprisings that were quickly suppressed. But near the Vagay River, Yermak's detachment was attacked. Taking the Cossacks by surprise at night, the Tatars managed to kill almost everyone. The great leader and Cossack chieftain Yermak died.
Further conquest of Siberia: briefly
The exact burial place of the ataman is unknown. After the death of Yermak, the conquest of Siberia continued with renewed vigor. Year after year, more and more new territories were subordinated. If the initial campaign was not coordinated with the Kremlin and was chaotic, then subsequent actions became more centralized. The king personally took control of this issue. Well-equipped expeditions were regularly sent out. The city of Tyumen was built, which became the first Russian settlement in these parts. Since then, the systematic conquest continued with the use of the Cossacks. Year after year they conquered more and more new territories. In the cities taken, the Russian administration was set up. Educated people were sent from the capital to conduct business.
In the middle of the 17th century there is a wave of active colonization. Many cities and settlements are founded. Peasants arrive from other parts of Russia. Settlement is gaining momentum. In 1733 the famous Northern Expedition was organized. In addition to conquest, the task of exploring and discovering new lands was also set. The data obtained after were used by geographers from around the world. endingthe accession of Siberia can be considered the entry of the Uryakhansk Territory into the Russian Empire.
