Period of Lithunian and Polsih rule (1360-1599), Детальна інформація

gradually became serfs, exploited as manpower in agriculture and

forestry, by landowners. Suppression of Orthodox Church retarded

development of Ukrainian literature, arts and education; preferential

treatment of Catholics inhibited economic and political advancement of

Ukrainians.

In spite of that there was a modest revival of Ukrainian culture

later in 16th century. Church schools and seminaries were set up, based

at first on properties of Ukrainian magnate Hryhoriy Khodkovych and

later on holdings of Ostrozkyi princes. Printing industry began,

culminating in publication of Bible in print shop ran by Ivan

Fedorovych. Trade and church brotherhoods sprang up; they established

schools and hospitals and became centers of defense of Orthodox Church

and fight for justice and equality.

Such situation also multiplied influx of people to Cossack

territory thus increasing Cossacks strength. Tatars were pushed out

into Crimea; Cossacks became more daring in their raids on Turkish

cities.

Although Ukrainian Cossacks defended not only Ukraine, but also

whole eastern Europe from Turks and Tatar hordes, they were causing

diplomatic problems for Poland because Turkey used Cossacks as an excuse

for wars against Poland. When Cossack leader, Ivan Pidkova, conquered

Moldova in 1577, Poles captured and executed him in order to appease the

Turks. They tried to control Cossacks by recruiting some of them into

Polish military system as, so called, Registered Cossacks, but they

could never really tame them.

With decreasing danger from Tatars, Polish nobles and Ukrainian

princes loyal to the king, were granted possessions in territory

controlled by Cossacks and began to introduce their ,freedom limiting,

unpopular laws. Dissatisfied with such treatment Cossacks, under

Kryshtof Kosynskyi, rebelled about 1590, and by year 1593 controlled