Ukrainian National Republic in the First Half of the 20th Century

Study Notes

Ukrainian National Republic in the First Half of the 20th Century

The Ukrainian National Republic (UNR) was a state that existed in Eastern Europe during the first half of the 20th century. The UNR was proclaimed on November 20, 1917, in the third of the Universals of the Central Rada, and it was initially in a federation with Russia. The UNR was officially recognized as an independent state on January 25, 1918, and its independence was recognized internationally at the Peace Treaty of Brest-Litovsk on February 9, 1918.

Establishment and Early Development

The Ukrainian National Republic was established in 1917 on the territory of central Ukraine. It was a short-lived state that aimed to unify the Ukrainian people and establish an independent Ukrainian state. The Central Council of Ukraine was elected in March 1917, and it played a crucial role in the establishment of the Ukrainian National Republic. The UNR was first headed by Symon Petliura, who was elected as the head of the Ukrainian General Military Committee in May 1917.

Federated with Russia

The Ukrainian National Republic was initially in a federation with Russia, which was expected to emerge from the impending Constituent Assembly. However, the Bolsheviks declared Ukraine to be a Soviet republic at the first All-Ukrainian Congress of Soviets held in Kharkiv in December 1917.

Declaration of Independence

The Ukrainian National Republic declared its complete independence in its Fourth Universal on January 25, 1918 (back-dated to January 22), and this independence was recognized internationally at the Peace Treaty of Brest-Litovsk on February 9, 1918.

Government Changes

The Ukrainian National Republic experienced several changes in government. In April 1918, Ukraine and Germany ratified the Brest Peace Treaty, and the Ukrainian government was renamed the Ukrainian State under the Hetman government of Pavlo Skoropadsky. However, in December 1918, the Directory of the Ukrainian National Republic was formed, and the name UNR was restored.

Exile and Legacy

The Ukrainian National Republic existed on Ukrainian territory until 1920, when its head of state and government went into exile. The Government-in-exile of the Ukrainian National Republic was first in Poland and then, in 1939-40, in France. After World War II, the Ukrainian National Council was created as a preparatory parliament for the State Center of the Ukrainian National Republic, which continued the traditions of the national republican government of Ukraine until 1992.

Brief Timeline

Spring 1917: The February Revolution in the Russian Empire led to the establishment of the Ukrainian Central Council on March 17.
April 9, 1917: Mykhailo Hrushevsky, a key figure in Ukrainian politics, returned from exile to head the Ukrainian Central Council.
May 17, 1917: The commander of the Southwestern Front, General Brusilov, permitted the organization of the Bohdan Khmelnytsky regiment.
June 10-15, 1917: The 1st All-Ukrainian Peasant Congress took place in Kiev, and the Ukrainian National Congress took place on May 2-4, confirming the composition of the Ukrainian Central Council.
June 18-24, 1917: The 2nd Ukrainian Military Congress took place, accepting the declaration of a detailed plan of Ukrainization of the Russian Army.
July 8, 1917: The State Senate of the Ukrainian State was created as the supreme judicial institution.
July 10, 1917: The Kiev Orthodox clergy lifted the anathema on Hetman Mazepa.
July 24, 1917: The Brest Peace Treaty was ratified by Ukraine and Germany, and laws were adopted about the general military obligation, criminal responsibility for exceeding maximum prices, and speculation.
November 20, 1917: The Ukrainian National Republic was proclaimed in the third of the Universals of the Central Rada.
January 22, 1918: The Ukrainian National Republic declared its independence in its Fourth Universal.
April 29, 1918: Ukraine and Germany ratified the Brest Peace Treaty, and the Ukrainian government was renamed the Ukrainian State under the Hetman government of Pavlo Skoropadsky.
December 14, 1918: The Directory of the Ukrainian National Republic was formed, and the name UNR was restored.

Conclusion

The Ukrainian National Republic was a significant political entity in Eastern Europe during the first half of the 20th century. It aimed to unify the Ukrainian people and establish an independent Ukrainian state, although it faced opposition from the Bolsheviks and experienced several changes in government. The UNR's legacy continued after its dissolution, with the Ukrainian National Council being established in the post-World War II period to continue the traditions of the national republican government of Ukraine.