Comportement politique des Cosaques de Russie lors de la Révolution russe : étude historiographique

From the sixteenth century, the Cossacks became more and more submissive to the authority of the tsar, but remained in some regions of their own, especially the Don. Their military ability and their utilization as cavalry in defense and offensive activities defined their role within the Empire. ln return, they received many honorary and material benefits. Sorne occasional revolts did not weaken the link between the Cossacks and the tsar. But at the turn of the twentieth century, the situation in the country was fragile. The Cossacks were not spared by the difficulties of the population and they had the same demands. The troubles continued until the revolution of october 1917, followed by a civil war that particularly hit the south of the country and lasted until 1920. Taking into account the privileged relations the Cossacks had with the regime, and the myth that described them as great defenders of the tsar, we have to ask ourselves what their real political attitude was towards and during the revolutionary episode. That is the question this thesis tries to answer. ln doing so, we will study the western historiography, francophone and anglophone, since the time of the contemporary authors until the most recent trends. The interpretation of the events of October arose historiographical schools and diff erent visions : some reduced them to a coup d'Etat and others saw a real revolution. On the other hand, the historians agree on lots of questions in their global analysis of the political behaviour of Cossacks. Thus, according to our analysis, the Cossacks had a tendency to opt for neutrality and showed ambivalence towards the two belligerent of the Civil war. They gave their support and took a stand with the side that was more qualified to defend their interests at this or that moment and their aims were foremost separatist.