Timothy Snyder: The Making of Modern Ukraine. Class 13. Republics and Revolutions

TL;DR

The lecture explores the revolutions and republics that emerged in Ukraine during the early 20th century, focusing on the complexities of national self-determination and the impact of empires on the region.

Transcript

(gentle music) - Greetings, everybody. Happy Tuesday. We are now making the transition into the 19th and the 20th centuries. By the end of this lecture, we should be in 1918, 1919, 1920. The the premise of this lecture is that we are talking about revolutions and republics. The tricky thing about the revolution of 1917, the Bolshevik Revolution, li... Read More

Key Insights

• 🍝 Revolutions and republics often bring about significant changes, but they also inherit the complexities and legacies of the past.
• 🌍 National self-determination played a central role in the Ukrainian context during the early 20th century, but its application varied depending on the empire and the geopolitical interests of different nations.
• 🖐️ Religion, particularly the Greek Catholic Church and Orthodox Church, played a significant role in shaping national identity and political movements in Ukraine.
• 🥺 The First World War and the subsequent power vacuum in Eastern Europe led to the emergence of multiple Ukrainian states, which were contested by various factions, including the Reds, Whites, and Poles.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were the main differences between the Ukrainian revolutionaries in the Russian Empire and those in the Habsburg monarchy?

The Ukrainian revolutionaries in the Russian Empire were more radical and took more extreme positions as the situation deteriorated, ultimately declaring full national independence. On the other hand, those in the Habsburg monarchy formed the West Ukrainian National Republic and fought against the Poles for their independence, but were eventually defeated.

Q: How did the German involvement during the First World War impact Ukraine?

Germany recognized the Ukrainian National Council and signed a treaty with them based on the principle of national self-determination. However, this recognition was contingent upon Ukraine providing Germany with a significant amount of food supplies.

Q: What led to the clash between the Ukrainians and the Poles?

The clash between Ukrainians and Poles occurred as the West Ukrainian National Republic declared independence and fought against Polish forces. The Poles eventually defeated the Ukrainian army, with the help of former Russian Empire prisoners of war, and established control over parts of Ukraine.

Q: How did the Bolshevik Revolution and the Russian Civil War impact Ukraine's fight for independence?

The Bolsheviks aimed to spread their revolution globally, including Ukraine. They invaded Ukraine multiple times, leading to a power vacuum and chaos in the region. The Ukrainian fight for independence was further complicated by the involvement of the Whites and eventually the intervention of the Poles.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The lecture discusses the Bolshevik Revolution and its impact on Ukraine, highlighting the weighty inheritance and complexities that come with revolutions and the establishment of new republics.

• It explores the divisions within Ukrainian territory and the significance of the east-west division in the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in Western Ukraine (Galicia) and the Russian Empire.

• The lecture also touches upon the role of religion in Ukrainian history, particularly the influence of the Greek Catholic Church (Uniate) and the Orthodox Church, and how it shaped national identity.