Comprehensive Study Notes: History of Ukrainian Statehood and Culture

Origins and Historical Development of Early Rus'

The early period of Ukrainian history is defined by the development of the Kievan Rus' state and its role on the European stage. A primary factor in its regional prominence was its geographic location along the "Way from the Varangians to the Greeks," which connected the Baltic Sea with the Byzantine Empire. This positioning allowed Rus' to act as a "protective shield" for Europe against nomadic incursions from the east.

The legislative foundation of this state was established by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, who created the first written code of laws known as "Ruska Pravda." During his reign, the state pursued an active "marriage policy," which integrated Rus' into the European dynastic system. This international recognition was further cemented by events such as the Treaty of Prince Oleh with Byzantium in $907$ and the Christianization of Rus' under Prince Volodymyr the Great.

Key figures and their historical contributions include:

1. Svyatoslav Ihorovych (the Brave): Known for his extensive military campaigns against the Khazar Khaganate and the Balkan regions.
2. Volodymyr the Great: Focused on internal state reforms and the official adoption of Christianity, which transformed the cultural landscape.
3. Yaroslav the Wise: Promoted cultural development, education, and legal frameworks.
4. Volodymyr Monomakh: Credited with a temporary stabilization of the state during a period of fragmentation and for his literary legacy, specifically the "Instruction to Children."

In terms of urban structure, the fortified central part of the Old Russian city was called the "Dytynets," while the surrounding settlements were known as the "Posad" or "Sloboda." Social classes of the $11^{th}$ and $12^{th}$ centuries included the "Smerdy" (free peasants), "Izgoi" (outcasts from their social groups), and "Zakupy" (semi-free laborers working to pay off debts).

The Principality of Galicia-Volhynia (Kingdom of Ruthenia)

The formation of the Galicia-Volhynia state occurred in $1199$, representing a continuation of the political and cultural traditions of Kievan Rus'. Prince Roman Mstyslavovych is credited with the initial unification of the principalities. His successor, Danylo Romanovych (Danylo of Halych), continued the tradition of state-building by establishing new fortified cities like Kholm and defending the realm against Mongol-Tatar and Teutonic threats. Notable military successes included the victory over the Teutonic Knights at Dorohychyn and the Battle of Yaroslav. Prince Danylo was eventually crowned as the King of Ruthenia, integrating the state further into Western European structures. Later, figures like Lev Danylovych and Yuriy Lvovych maintained the state until the mid-$14^{th}$ century, with the state effectively ending around $1356$.

The Cossack Era and National Revolution

The Cossack class became the primary driving force of the national revolution in the mid-$17^{th}$ century. Under the leadership of Bohdan Khmelnytskyi, the state of the Zaporozhian Host was established, defined by treaties such as the Treaty of Zboriv.

Subsequent Hetmans navigated complex geopolitical landscapes:

• Ivan Vyhovskyi: Signed the Treaty of Hadyach and won the Battle of Konotop against Russian forces.
• Petro Doroshenko: Briefly managed to unite both banks of the Dnieper River under his authority in $1668$.
• Ivan Mazepa: An era defined by a flourishing of the Ukrainian (Cossack) Baroque and a strategic alliance with Sweden during the Great Northern War, culminating in the Battle of Poltava ($1709$).

The autonomy of the Hetmanate was systematically dismantled by the Russian Empire through several stages:

1. The creation of the First Little Russian Collegium by Peter I in $1722$ to manage the territory in place of a Hetman.
2. The abolition of the Hetmanate.
3. The creation of the Second Little Russian Collegium.
4. The destruction of the Zaporozhian Sich.
5. The liquidation of the regimental system and the introduction of Russian administrative units.

National and Cultural Revival in the $19^{th}$ Century

In the $19^{th}$ century, the Ukrainian national movement was shaped by clandestine organizations and landmark publications. Key documents included the "Book of Genesis of the Ukrainian People" (the programmatic document of the Cyril and Methodius Brotherhood) and "Rusalka Dnistrova," the first almanac published in the vernacular language in Western Ukrainian lands.

The Russian imperial government responded with restrictive legislation:

• The Valuev Circular ($1863$): A decree banning the publication of educational and religious literature in Ukrainian, asserting that "no separate Ukrainian language exists."
• The Ems Ukaze ($1876$): A total ban on Ukrainian-language printing, performances, and the import of books, forcing many cultural activities to move abroad.

Key cultural figures of this period included Ivan Kotlyarevskyi (author of "Eneida"), Taras Shevchenko (author of "Kobzar"), and Mykhailo Drahomanov.

The Ukrainian Revolution ($1917$–$1921$)

The struggle for independence resulted in several government forms. The Ukrainian Central Rada (UCR), created in March $1917$, issued four Universals, with the Fourth Universal proclaiming full independence. The General Secretariat served as the executive body.

Following the UCR, the Ukrainian State was established under Hetman Pavlo Skoropadskyi in $1918$. During his reign, the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences was established in November $1918$. In the same month, the Directory (led by Volodymyr Vynnychenko and Symon Petliura) headed the struggle against Skoropadskyi's regime. The full membership of the Directory included V. Vynnychenko, S. Petliura, F. Shvets, O. Andriivskyi, and A. Makarenko.

Military and diplomatic efforts of this time included the establishment of the Ukrainian Republican Chapel led by O. Koshyts in $1919$ (an early project of cultural diplomacy) and the Warsaw Treaty ($1920$) between the Ukrainian People's Republic and Poland. The West Ukrainian People's Republic (ZUNR), led by President Yevhen Petrushevych and Head of State Secretariat Kost Levytskyi, eventually joined the UPR through the Act Zluky in January $1919$.

Soviet Ukraine and the Totalitarian Regime

Soviet rule in Ukraine was characterized by shifts between nominal autonomy and extreme repression. The policy of "Korenizatsiya" (Ukrainization) officially began on July $17$, $1923$. However, this was followed by the "Great Terror" of $1937$–$1938$, aimed at the destruction of real and potential political rivals and the stifling of national consciousness.

Leaders of the USSR represented different eras:

• Vladimir Lenin: Supported a plan of "federalization."
• Joseph Stalin: Supported "autonomization" and implemented mass repressions.
• Nikita Khrushchev: His reign is known as the "Thaw," characterized by the debunking of the personality cult and the rehabilitation of some political prisoners.
• Mikhail Gorbachev: The first and only President of the USSR, whose "Perestroika" led to the system's collapse.

World War II events included the German invasion of Poland on September $1$, $1939$, and the Soviet entry into Polish territory on September $17$, $1939$. The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) was created by the OUN on October $14$, $1942$, (symbolically associated with the feast of the Intercession) to fight for independence. Roman Shukhevych, acting under the pseudonym Taras Chuprynka, was a key leader. Operation Vistula ($1947$) involved the forced deportation of Ukrainians within Poland.

Modern Independence and Russian Aggression

Ukraine regained independence in $1991$ following the August $24$ Declaration and the December $1$ referendum. Modern presidencies have focused on transition:

• Leonid Kravchuk: Oversaw the initial economic fall and hyperinflation.
• Leonid Kuchma: Introduced the Hryvnia ($1996$) and saw the adoption of the Constitution ($1996$).
• Viktor Yushchenko: Pursued a course toward Euro-Atlantic integration.
• Viktor Yanukovych: Attempted to build an authoritarian state, leading to the Revolution of Dignity.

The Revolution of Dignity was triggered by the government's decision to suspend preparations for the Association Agreement with the EU. This was followed by the Russian occupation of Crimea and the onset of armed aggression in eastern Ukraine. Significant military landmarks include:

• The Ilovaisk Tragedy: Known as the "Green Corridor" where Ukrainian troops were ambushed.
• The Defense of Donetsk Airport: Known for the $242$ days of resistance by the "Cyborgs."
• The Battle of Debaltseve (Winter $2015$).

History and Architecture of Lviv Polytechnic

Lviv Polytechnic National University has a rich institutional history, starting from the Real School and the Technical Academy ($1816$). Its names changed through various periods:

• Austrian period: C.K. High Technical School in Lviv.
• Interwar period: Lviv Polytechnic.
• Soviet period: Lviv Polytechnic Institute.
• Independence period: Lviv Polytechnic National University.

The Main Building was designed by architect Julian Zachariewicz in the Neo-Renaissance style. It features allegorical sculptures by Leonard Marconi, specifically figures representing "Engineering," "Architecture," and "Mechanics."

Notable figures associated with the university include:

• Mykola Maksymovych: Rector from $1963$ to $1971$.
• Yulian Medvedskyi: The first Ukrainian rector and a prominent mineralogist.
• Maksymilian Thullie: A prominent bridge engineer and rector.
• Distinguished Honoris Causa doctors: Maria Skłodowska-Curie, Ignacy Mościcki, and Roman Ingarden.