COSSACKS ROLE IN THE RUSSIAN NATIONAL SECURITY IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE XIX CENTURY: JOINING THE CENTRAL ASIA TO RUSSIA

Abstract

One of the Russian foreign policy in the second half of the XIX century was the penetration into Central Asia. Russian Cossacks played a major role in solving the political problems. Cossack troops took part in the colonization of the neighboring regions to ensure the national security of border regions of Russia. Unlike regular troops Cossacks were more adapted to the adverse conditions of camp life. In 1864, troops under the command of Major - General Chernyaev launched an attack on Tashkent, but the first campaign ended in failure. In 1865, Russian troops captured Tashkent. General of Turkistan was formed in 1867. Moving to the Central Asia Russian villages populated by Siberian and Orenburg Cossacks were created. In 1868 Kokand Khanate became dependent on Russia. The two largest states - Kokand and Bukhara, maintaining internal autonomy, were subordinated to Russia. In 1873 the second Khiva campaign was carried out with the participation of Orenburg, Ural, Terek and Siberian Cossacks. Khiva Khanate acknowledged their dependence on Russia. In 1876 Kokand khanate as Ferghana region became part of Turkestan. There was a consolidated Orenburg-Ural Cossack Regiment. Finally the border in the southwestern part of Central Asia was formed in 1881 incorporating Turkmenistan. In 1884 the Russian Empire entered Merv oasis. In the 90 years of the nineteenth century the last difficult question of Central Asian policy of Russia – Pamir question was solved. At the end of XIX - early XX centuries the Cossacks continued to serve in Turkestan, guarding the Russian borders.