The First World War and the Struggle for Independence in Ukrainian History

The outbreak of World War I and the start of hostilities between Russia and Austria-Hungary on August 19 14 had a direct impact on Ukrainian subjects on both sides. In the Russian Empire, Ukrainian publications and cultural institutions were immediately suppressed, and important people were arrested or exiled. In September, when Russian troops entered Galicia, the retreating Austrian troops executed thousands of people suspected of being pro-Russian. After the tsar occupied Galicia, he immediately took measures to make it fully integrated into the Russian empire; They banned the use of Ukrainian, closed schools and prepared to ban the Greek Catholic Church. 19 15 In the spring, after the Austrian army recaptured Galicia, the Russian military movement was suspended. However, the western Ukraine is still the battlefield of military operations, which has been greatly damaged.

/kloc-the Russian revolution in February 0/7 brought the interim government to power. It immediately implemented freedom of speech and assembly, and lifted the restrictions imposed by the Tsar on ethnic minorities. With the re-publication of Ukrainian publications, the establishment of various cultural and professional associations and the emergence of various political parties, Ukraine's national life has become full of vitality. In March, at the initiative of these organizations, the Central Parliament was established in Kiev as a representative body of Ukraine. In April, the National People's Congress of Ukraine, attended by more members, declared the Central Rada the highest organ of state power in Ukraine and elected historian Khrushchevsky as its chairman. The goals announced by the Central Parliament are the territorial autonomy of Ukraine and the transformation of Russia into a democratic federal republic.

165438+1After the Bolshevik coup in Petrograd on October 7, the relationship between Ukraine and Russia deteriorated. The Central Rada refused to accept the new regime's exercise of power over Ukraine, and announced the establishment of the National Republic of Ukraine on1October 20, 165438+, although it still expected to join the federation together with the democratic new Russia elected by the upcoming constitutional assembly. Bolsheviks then declared Ukraine a Soviet Republic at the first All-Ukrainian Soviet Congress held in Kharkov in June+February, 5438, and established an opposition government. 1918 65438+10, the Bolsheviks attacked the left bank and approached Kiev. At that time, the Central Rada had begun peace talks with its allies who hoped to get military assistance from it, and on June 22, 65438, Ukraine was declared completely independent. But almost at the same time, the government had to retreat to the right bank immediately because Soviet troops occupied Kiev. On February 9, Ukraine and its allies signed the Brest-Litovsk Peace Treaty. At the beginning of March, an attack by the German-Austrian Coalition forces drove the Bolsheviks out of Kiev, and the Rada government returned to the capital. In April, the Red Army withdrew from Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government's socialist policy, especially the land nationalization policy, conflicts with the interests of the German high command, which provided food supply for the war to the maximum extent. On April 29th, the Rada government was overthrown by General Skoro Paschi in a German-backed coup. Skoropadski was originally a descendant of Cossack Geithmann in the18th century, and accepted the title of "Ukrainian Geithmann" that he wanted him to inherit, abolished all laws passed by Rada, and established conservative regimes supported by landlords and the middle class in most Russian cities. The new government has aroused strong opposition from Ukrainian nationalists, socialists and farmers. The main opposition parties and some non-governmental organizations established the Ukrainian National Alliance to coordinate policies, while farmers expressed their hostility through rebellion and guerrilla warfare. 165438+ 10. In October, Germany and Austria surrendered and lifted the main pillar of Skoro's Paschi regime, while the alliance established a ruling cabinet to overthrow it. Skoropadski sought the support of allies and announced his intention to join a future Russian federation without Bolsheviks, which caused a riot. 12 14 in June, Geithmann abdicated and the ruling cabinet took control of the Kiev government.

Even before the collapse of Austria-Hungary, some political leaders in western Ukraine announced the establishment of a country called "Western Republic of Ukraine" at a rally in June 19 18, including Galicia, North Bukovina and Transcarpathia. 1 65438+1October1,Ukrainian troops occupied Lviv. This triggered a war with the Poles, who were determined to incorporate Galicia into the re-established Polish state. 165438+1October 2 1 day, Polish troops captured Levi, but most of Galicia was still under Ukrainian control, and the government headed by Petrusevic moved to Stanny Slavov. 1919 65438+122 October, two Ukrainian states declared their union in Kiev, but the real political union was hindered by increasing hostility. This eventually turned against the Ukrainians, and by the end of July, Poland completely controlled Galicia. Petrushevich and his government retreated to the right bank of Ukraine and went into exile in Vienna in autumn. They continued their diplomatic efforts and opposed the recognition of Polish occupation.

In Kiev, 19 18 and 12 came to power. Vinichenko presided over the ruling cabinet at first, and Petriula also served as commander-in-chief from 19 19, officially rebuilding the Ukrainian nation and resuming the legislative activities of the Central Rada. It tries to establish an effective administrative organization to properly handle the increasing economic and social problems, but its efforts are hindered by the increasingly chaotic domestic situation and hostile foreign environment. As the peasants become restless and the army's morale is low, the guerrilla movement led by unruly leaders is escalating in scope and violence. In many places, the power of the government exists in name only or does not exist at all. Allies, including France, sent expeditionary forces to occupy Odessa and support the Russian White Army. The army gathered around General Denikin in southern Russia. 19 18 12, the Bolsheviks launched a new offensive in eastern Ukraine. 1965438+In February 2009, they retaken Kiev. The ruling cabinet moved to the right bank and continued fighting. In May, Denikin launched a campaign against the Bolsheviks on the left bank. As the Bolsheviks retreated again, the Ukrainian army of Petriula and several white troops from Denikin entered Kiev on August 3 1. 65438+From February 9 to June, the Ukrainian army fought against Denikin's troops, but due to defeat, it retreated to the northwest and entered Voronia. The Ukrainian army was attacked on three sides: the Poles in the west, the returning Red Army in the north and the White Army in the south, so it had to stop conventional military operations and turn to guerrilla warfare. At the same time, the Bolsheviks began to repel Denikin's army and reoccupied Kiev on February 16. By February 1920, the White Army was expelled from Ukrainian territory.

The negotiations between Petlyura and Polish governments in Pitzdesky ended with the Warsaw Peace Treaty signed in April 1920. According to the terms of the peace treaty, Petriula gave up her territorial claims to Galicia and West Voronia in exchange for Polish military assistance. Two days later, the battle launched by the Polish-Ukrainian Coalition forces began. On May 6th, the allied forces occupied Kiev. The Bolsheviks' counterattack enabled them to approach the suburbs of Warsaw in August. The war situation has changed again. Polish and Ukrainian troops repelled the Soviets and re-entered the right bank. However, in June of 5438+00, Poland and Russia signed an armistice agreement, and in March of 192 1, Poland and Russia signed the Riga Treaty. Poland further recognized Soviet Ukraine, but gained western Ukraine.