Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic

The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, often called Soviet Ukraine or just Ukraine, was one part of the Soviet Union from 1922 until 1991. During this time, it was led by the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, which controlled everything through its own special group, the Communist Party of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian SSR began during the Russian Revolution, especially after the Bolshevik Revolution. There were many fights and changes during this time, with different groups trying to control the area. In 1922, it joined with other Soviet areas to form the Soviet Union. After the Soviet Union ended in 1991, the Ukrainian SSR became the independent country of Ukraine.

Over the years, the borders of the Ukrainian SSR changed a lot. It grew to include areas where most people were Ukrainian. Important cities like Kharkov and Kiev served as its capital at different times. Geographically, it was located in Eastern Europe, next to the Black Sea, and touched many other countries and Soviet areas. By 1989, it was the second most populous part of the Soviet Union.

Name

History

After the Russian Revolution of 1917, some people wanted Ukraine to be its own country. This caused fighting and many new governments. The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic started in December 1917 and joined the Soviet Union in 1922.

In the 1920s and 1930s, rules from the Soviet government made life very hard for people in Ukraine.

World War II caused more damage. Ukraine was hurt by both Nazi forces and Soviet leaders. After the war, Ukraine faced more problems and tough times.

In the late 1980s, new ideas about change led people to want independence. In 1991, Ukraine became its own country.

Main article: Modern history of Ukraine

Politics and government

Further information: Constitution of the Ukrainian SSR, Politics of the Soviet Union, and Leaders of Soviet Ukraine

The Ukrainian SSR was led by one party, the Communist Party of Ukraine. This party was part of the bigger Communist Party of the Soviet Union and held all the power. Local leaders followed the party's decisions.

At first, a group called the Congress of Soviets of Ukraine made laws. Later, this group became the Supreme Soviet. The Supreme Soviet could create laws, change the constitution, and handle money and plans. Elections happened every five years, but the party chose the candidates. In the late 1980s, reforms allowed more open elections. In March 1990, many new members were elected, showing people did not trust the Communist Party anymore. This helped Ukraine become independent in 1991.

Ukraine is the legal successor of the Ukrainian SSR. On 5 October 1991, Ukraine said it would follow international agreements made by the Soviet Union if they did not go against the Constitution of Ukraine or Ukraine's interests. After Ukrainian independence, the parliament changed its name from Supreme Soviet to the Verkhovna Rada. Ukraine also kept its place in the United Nations, which it had since 1945.

Administrative divisions

Main article: Administrative divisions of the Ukrainian SSR

The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was one of the republics that made up the Soviet Union. Though it was part of a federal system, most decisions were made in the Kremlin, the capital of the Soviet Union. The Ukrainian SSR was divided into smaller areas called oblasts, or provinces. By 1991, when it became independent, there were 25 oblasts. These provinces were split into even smaller areas called raions, or districts, totaling 490.

Some cities, like the capital Kiev and Sevastopol, had special status. They were controlled directly by the central government of the Ukrainian SSR, not by the surrounding provinces. The way these areas were organized changed many times, especially during and after World War II, as new lands were added or rearranged by Soviet leaders.

Economy

Further information: Economy of the Soviet Union

The economy of Soviet Ukraine began with farming, where most people worked on farms. In the 1920s, new rules were created to help the economy grow, but these rules changed often.

After a leader named Stalin came to power, he wanted Ukraine to produce more heavy goods like steel and coal. This made life difficult for farmers, who had to meet high demands for grain. Sadly, this led to times when there wasn’t enough food, and many people went hungry.

After World War II, Ukraine’s farms still struggled, even though there was more land to farm on. Farms were organized into large groups, but they often didn’t produce enough food, causing shortages. In the 1950s, a leader tried growing more corn, but this didn’t fix the food problems and sometimes made things harder.

Industry grew a lot after the war. By the 1950s, Ukraine was producing more goods than before the war and became important for making steel, iron, and coal. However, by the 1970s and 1980s, growth slowed. The government focused more on heavy industry than on things people needed every day, which caused issues. As more people moved to cities, energy use increased, leading to the construction of reservoirs and power stations along rivers, including nuclear power plants.

Culture, science and religion

Further information: Religion in the Soviet Union and Russification of Ukraine § Soviet period

In the 1930s, schools in Ukraine taught mostly Russian history. Many Ukrainian artists and writers had a hard time during this period.

During World War II, leaders talked about Ukrainian heroes to encourage people. After the war, the government limited religious freedom, closing many churches and turning some into museums. But many people still kept their faith.

Later, there was more freedom to celebrate Ukrainian culture and language. By the late 1980s, many people in Ukraine wanted their own churches back, and some managed to reopen them.

Demographics

From 1959 to 1989, the number of people in Soviet Ukraine grew by 9.6 million, reaching 51.7 million. This made Ukraine the sixth most crowded country in Europe, after Russia, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and France. The growth slowed because many people moved there from other parts of the Soviet Union. Birth rates fell while life expectancy rose, so the population got older.

Many people moved to cities. In 1959, only 25 cities had more than 100,000 people. By 1979, there were 49 such cities. Big cities grew quickly. For example, Kiev almost doubled in size, from 1.1 million people in 1959 to 2.1 million in 1979. By 1979, most ethnic Ukrainians lived in cities for the first time. In 1959, only 37 percent of Ukrainians lived in urban areas, but by 1989, that number grew to 60 percent. Most people worked in factories or offices instead of farms.