Oct 27, Doc 3

Book Overview

• Title: Ukraine Democratization, Corruption, and the New Russian Imperialism

• Author: Taras Kuzio

• Publisher: Praeger Security International

• Locations: Santa Barbara, California & Denver, Colorado

Chapter 1: Ukraine between Joseph Stalin and Mikhail Gorbachev (1953-1991)

Historical Context

• This period spans from the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953 to the late 1980s under Mikhail Gorbachev. We encounter arcs of political and cultural change through two historic cycles:

  • Period of Shelest (1953-1972): Characterized by political and economic liberalization and the Ukrainian cultural awakening.

  • Period of Shcherbytskyy (1972-1990): Marked by political repression and the resurgence of Russophile policies.

  • The Ukrainian leadership celebrated the legacy of Shcherbytskyy in 2003, indicating a complex legacy following independence.

The Interregnum: Stalin to Shelest

• Following Stalin's death, there was a push for cultural expression among Ukrainian writers. This liberalization allowed for demands to emerge regarding:

  1. Changes in writing of Ukrainian history, less glorification of Russian Imperial leaders.

  2. Protection of the Ukrainian language.

  3. Rehabilitation of Ukrainian intellectuals and communists persecuted in previous eras.

• A distinction exists between the Europeanist and Eurasianist factions within the KPU (Communist Party of Ukraine). Shelest positioned between these factions but faced criticism for his perceived leniency towards Ukrainian nationalism.

• Khrushchev's reforms led to increased Russification within the educational system, which undermined Ukrainian language and culture.

The Legacy and Celebration

• In 2003, Shcherbytskyy was celebrated by the Ukrainian government while Shelest was overlooked. This reflects the lasting impacts of their respective leaderships and the contentious political narrative surrounding each.

  • Celebrations included multi-faceted public commemorations, highlighting the shifting allegiances within Ukrainian politics and civil society.

Liberalization Obstacles

• Shelest faced challenges from both Soviet leadership and the pro-Russification Eurasianist faction within the KPG, which was bolstered by the KGB's influence in Ukrainian regions like Donbas and Odesa.

• The struggle between promoting the Ukrainian language and culture versus a more centralized Russian dominance defined political tensions of the era.

Political Repression and Cultural Renaissance

• Instances of political repression culminated in the 1972 pohrom, where dissidents were targeted, leading to a significant crackdown on Ukrainian culture and intellectualism.

• In contrast, cultural activists continued to promote Ukrainian identity, finding new spaces within literary and artistic expressions in a push against Soviet censorship.

The Rise of Dissent

• Cities like Lviv emerged as centers of dissent, with local cultural movements resisting outright Soviet policies while navigating complex national identities.

• Various forms of Ukrainian cultural expression came to the forefront amid political challenges, illustrated through the events at the Writers Congress and public trials that captured the attention of nationalists and cultural activists.

The Hippie and Alternative Scene

• In the 1970s-1980s, a burgeoning alternative culture arose in Lviv, fostered by influences from Western music and political changes. This scene comprised various layers of society, leading to both expressions of dissent and gradual calls for democratization in Ukraine.

Perestroika and the Road to Independence

• Gorbachev's policies in the late 1980s allowed previously silenced voices to emerge, including those of dissidents eager to embrace and promote ideas of democratization and Ukrainian sovereignty.

• The Ukrainian Popular Movement for Restructuring (Rukh) emerged as a key actor, strengthening nationalist sentiment amidst the backdrop of Gorbachev’s reforms.

Conclusion

• By the end of the chapter, the distinct cultural and political currents that shaped Ukraine leading up to its independence are illustrated. Soviet influences, internal divisions among Communist factions, and the resilience of Ukrainian nationalist sentiments foreshadow Ukraine's eventual declaration of independence in 1991.