Fytsyk L. The origin and evolution of the Ukrainian Cossack seniority of Hetmanate (1648-1782). The Historiography of the problem

This thesis is a system-defined scientific analysis of the historical sources concerning the problem of the origin and evolution of the Cossack seniority of Hetmanate of 1648-1782, a complex investigation of the given scientific subject bringing in the historical material. On this basis the problems of the formation and operation of the Cossack seniority in the epoch-making terms of the Ukrainian nation making, stabilization and collapse are being regarded. The basic stages have been detailed, the four periods in the subject elaboration have been distinguished, the main streams of the investigation from the beginning of the 19th century to the beginning of the 21st century have been emphasized, the completeness and validity of their representation in the Historiography have been established. The scientists’ methodological and methodical reproaches dealing with the development of the problem of the Cossack seniority in the Ukrainian nation making have been widely covered, their personal contribution tothe study of the given problem has been marked out. Insufficiently investigated aspects, disfigured or falsified events and processes have been determined, the future searching has been defined.