rada

Cossack government

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July 13, 2026

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The rada was the supreme authority of a Cossack military organization that emerged in Ukraine's southern steppe frontier in the 15th century. This society, composed of adventurers and peasants fleeing serfdom, developed a democratic structure with elected officers, including a hetman. The Cossacks defended the frontier from Tatar incursions and conducted their own raids. The Polish government utilized them as a fighting force but also sought to control them, leading to Cossack revolts. The rada represented a general assembly, signifying a form of self-governance within the Cossack community. The term "raad" also refers to a legislative assembly in historical Boer republics of South Africa.123

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Ukraine
The Cossacks of Ukraine
…with a general assembly (rada) as the supreme authority and elected officers, including the commander in chief, or hetman. Their centre was the Sich, an armed camp in the lands of the lower Dnieper “beyond the rapids” (za porohy)—hence, Zaporozhia (in contemporary usage, Zaporizhzhya).
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…with a general assembly (rada) as the supreme authority and elected officers, including the commander in chief, or hetman. Their centre was the Sich, an armed camp in the lands of the lower Dnieper “beyond the rapids” (za porohy)—hence, Zaporozhia (in contemporary usage, Zaporizhzhya).
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