The Role of Ukraine's Communists in the Ukrainian Independence Movement
Abstract
Contrary to nearly all predictions, Ukraine's Communists supported the Ukrainian declaration of independence in 1991. Closer scrutiny reveals this should have been no surprise because Communist support for independence was the result of Marxist-Leninist ideology's failure to resolve the conflict between nationalism and Communism. Because of this contradiction, Ukrainian communists were promised national self-determination but were forbidden to exercise it. Similarly, Ukraine's pre-Communist national consciousness survived and was even nurtured by the Soviet system. These two factors, acting simultaneously, meant the idea of an independent Ukrainian nation was never far from the thoughts of Ukraine's Communists. Thus, when the opportunity came to realize self- determination for the third time this century, Ukraine's Communists, still retaining national consciousness and marching under the banner of Marxism- Leninism, joined and even led the move toward independence. Ukraine, Communist party of Ukraine, Elites, Independence, Nationalism, Communism, Self- determination.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA271705
Entities
People
- Adam Grove
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School