Ivan Mazepa is a national hero or a traitor. Historical portrait

Ivan Mazepa is one of the most famous hetmans of Cossack Ukraine. In history, he left a trace as a politician who fought for the independence of his state. In 2009, the Order of Mazepa was established in Ukraine, it is awarded for merits in national diplomatic activities, charity and state construction.

Pedigree of Ivan Mazepa

Mazepa Ivan Stepanovich was born on March 20, 1640, some sources claim that a few years later at the Kamentsy farm, later renamed Mazepintsy, near the White Church. The child was the offspring of Ukrainian gentry. Mother of Mary Mary Magdalene was a respected, educated woman with her political views. Throughout her life she was the adviser of her son. The last 13 years of life was the Abbess of the Kiev-Pechersky Monastery.

Father Ivan Stepan-Adam Mazepa held a post in the midst of hetman Vyhovsky.

Education

From childhood Ivan Mazepa received an excellent education. In his father's estate, he studied riding and saber-playing, studied various sciences. Then he became a student of the Kiev-Mohyla College. A talented student is fond of the works of Roman and Greek philosophers, gravitates toward European literature, speaks several foreign languages.

At the end of her studies, her father sends Ivan to the Polish language. At the court, Ivan Mazepa manifests himself as an educated, promising nobleman. He is sent to receive further education in universities in Western Europe. During the years of study he managed to visit Italy, France Germany and Holland.

The future Ukrainian hetman fascinated people at first sight. Not only the power of his thought, but flattering speeches and external qualities were his trump cards at the moment of climbing the career ladder.

The situation in Ukraine

Ivan Mazepa, whose biography is still full of inaccuracies, has come a long way to the top of his political career. At the end of the 17th century, Cossack Ukraine was not enjoying its best days. The lands are the rule of three hetman, who were guided by different foreign policy forces.

Peter Doroshenko was a protege of the Turkish Sultan, who had his own political interests in this territory.

Hetman Samoilovich was pro-Russian.

Ivan Mazepa, according to some sources, was excommunicated from the court for quarreling with his colleagues, on others - for communication with the married pannoy. But, anyway, in 1664 Jan Kazimir sent troops to the Left Bank Ukraine, Mazepa left the corps and went to his father's native village.

In 1665, after the death of his father, Ivan Mazepa took up his post and became the Chernachivsky subvory.

Dreaming of a political career, he marries a rich widow Anna Fridrikevich, who soon dies and leaves him a huge fortune and useful connections. The father of Anna Semyon Polovets, being the general baggage, carries out protection to his son-in-law and arranges him to serve to hetman Doroshenko. Under the "Turkish" hetman, confident and cunning Mazepa becomes a captain of the outpost army and later a clerk.

In 1674, Doroshenko sends Mazepa to the Crimean Khanate and to Turkey. As a presentation, the sultan transmits slaves-left-bank Cossacks. In the Crimea it is broken by Ivan Sirko, but does not kill him, but passes to Samoilovich. The gift of persuading people has worked, some sources say that Mazepa's fiery speech saved his life.

Ivan Mazepa, whose biography is full of sharp turns of fate, began to look after the children of the Left-bank hetman, and a little later for his faithful service was appointed a captain. Samoilovich often sent Mazepa to Russia, where they gained the favor of the Tsar's favorite Prince Golitsyn.

Hetmanate

In July 1687 Mazepa, with the participation of his patrons, was elected hetman of the Left Bank Ukraine, and his predecessor Samoilovich, together with his relatives and his retinue, was sent to Siberia.

Some sources claim that Mazepa bribed Golitsyn for help, others refute this fact.

And yet, in 1689, when the young Peter entered the Russian throne, close friendship was established between them. An experienced hetman gave the young majesty advice on foreign policy relations with Poland.

Meanwhile, Ukraine was uneasy. In 1690 the Petrik uprising began. Mazepa, relying on his own army and Peter's help, brutally suppressed him. Many contemporaries believed that Ivan Mazepa, whose history of government was very bloody, from the very youth did not differ fidelity and devotion. Our contemporaries call these qualities a political instinct.

Union with Charles XII

Anyway, the Northern War, which lasted 21 years in Russia, pushed the Left-bank hetman to an alliance with the Swedish king.

In 1706, after Russia was left alone with the Swedish king, Mazepa conceived the autonomy of Little Russia. Donations to Peter I about the upcoming treason of the Cossack hetman came regularly, but he did not want to believe them.

In 1708, Mazepa Ivan Stepanovich refused to join the tsarist troops and, together with a small part of the Cossacks, mostly the foreman, crossed over to Karl.

Peter I was furious, because he considered Mazepa not only a subordinate, ally, but also a friend.

In 1709, the betrayal of Mazepa by the tsar led to the complete destruction of the Zaporozhye Sich.