of which Ukraine was part. But the Poles were successful in eliminating the Lithuanians and taking exclusive control of former Ukrainian lands.
Although Ukrainian political life stagnated at this time, there was a new development in religion and literature. This period saw the establishment of the “Unia” and the rise of the Kozaks.
In 1596 a number of Ukrainian bishops formed a Council at Brest to proclaim their adhesion to the doctrine and hierarchy of Rome. This “Unia” strengthened Western European influences in Byzantinic Ukraine and was brought about by the close relationship with Poland.
In this period also came the rise of the Kozaks as a result of the social changes in the status of the conquered Ukrainian people. Many old aristocratic families of Ukraine allowed themselves to become Polonized and helped abet the Poles in oppressing the Ukrainian people. Such action provoked revolution. Although the Kozaks had been in existence since the Scythian and Cymmerian times, it was not until now that their ranks began to swell to a formidable number, as a result of the reduction of the Ukrainian people to a state of serfdom by Polonized and Polish barons. Many hundred thousands of freedom-loving Ukrainians fled slavery to join the ranks and seek the protection of their knights, the Kozaks.
As a matter of fact, the most important occurrence during the Polono-Lithuanian period was this organization and growth of the Kozaks. Their first great leader was Petro Konashevich (1602-1624) who proclaimed himself Hetman of Kiev Ukraine and of the whole army in the year 1618. By successful campaigning and through diplomatic action he brought about the union of various Kozak divisions and transferred them from a half-military, half piratic group into a well-trained and disciplined army that was successful in reviving part of Ukraine
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