Ukrainian People's Republic of Soviets facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ukrainian People's Republic of Soviets
Украинская Народная Республика Советов
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| Republic of the Russian SFSR | |||||||||
| 1917–1918 | |||||||||
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| Capital | Kharkiv | ||||||||
| Area | |||||||||
| • Coordinates | 49°59′N 36°13′E / 49.983°N 36.217°E | ||||||||
| • Type | Soviet republic | ||||||||
| Legislature | Soviets | ||||||||
| Historical era | World War I | ||||||||
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• Established
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25 December 1917 | ||||||||
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• Merged with Odessa Soviet Republic into Ukrainian Soviet Republic
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March 1918 | ||||||||
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| Today part of | Ukraine Russia |
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The Ukrainian People's Republic of Soviets (Russian: Украинская Народная Республика Советов, romanized: Ukrainskaya Narodnaya Respublika Sovjetov) was a short-lived government in Ukraine. It existed from 1917 to 1918. This republic was part of the Russian SFSR. It was created on 25 December [O.S. 12 December] 1917 in Kharkiv. This happened after a meeting of Soviets (councils) declared Ukraine's self-determination.
The government was first formed in Kursk. Later, this republic joined with the Ukrainian Soviet Republic. It eventually ended when the Russian SFSR stopped its support. This change happened after the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed.
Contents
History of the Republic
Plans for a Big Meeting
After a failed uprising in Kyiv in November 1917, a group called the Bolsheviks wanted to hold a big meeting. This meeting would be for all Ukrainian Soviets (councils of workers and soldiers). They wanted to gain more power in Ukraine.
The idea was supported by the main Communist Party in Russia. On 30 November [O.S. 17 November] 1917, important leaders like Joseph Stalin discussed this plan. Stalin wanted power to go to local councils, not the existing Central Council of Ukraine.
A committee in Kyiv then started organizing the meeting. It was set for 16 December [O.S. 3 December] 1917 in Kyiv. They planned for about 500 people to attend. The system for choosing delegates favored industrial areas and big cities. This was where the Bolsheviks had the most influence.
Ukraine's Own Assembly
Before this, the Central Council of Ukraine had planned elections for a Ukrainian Constituent Assembly. This was like a parliament for Ukraine. The elections were set for 9 January 1918. This showed Ukraine's desire to govern itself.
December Events and a Big Ultimatum
In December 1917, tensions grew. On 11 December [O.S. 29 November] 1917, Bolsheviks in Kyiv gave an ultimatum to the Central Council of Ukraine. They threatened to take over Kyiv if power wasn't given to them.
A meeting of Bolsheviks in Kyiv took place from 16–18 December [O.S. 3–5 December] 1917. They decided to form a single Bolshevik party for Ukraine.
On 17 December [O.S. 4 December] 1917, the All-Ukrainian Congress of Soviets began in Kyiv. However, the Bolsheviks realized they wouldn't have the most votes. So, they left the meeting.
On the same day, the Russian Soviet government sent an ultimatum to the Central Council. It was signed by Vladimir Lenin and Lev Trotsky. They gave Ukraine 48 hours to respond. The next day, Russia declared the Central Council an enemy. They sent Red Guards into Ukraine.
On 18 December [O.S. 5 December] 1917, the Bolshevik delegates who left the Kyiv meeting decided to move their congress to Kharkiv. On 21 December [O.S. 8 December] 1917, the Red Guards entered Kharkiv. They took full control of the city by 22 December [O.S. 9 December] 1917. This started the Ukrainian–Soviet War.
Forming the Soviet Government
After Kharkiv was taken, the Bolsheviks held their own All-Ukrainian Congress of Soviets there. On 25 December [O.S. 12 December] 1917, this congress declared the creation of the Ukrainian People's Republic of Soviets. They also set up its main governing body. This was called the Central Executive Committee of Ukraine.
On 26 December [O.S. 13 December] 1917, this committee met for the first time. They elected their leaders. Yukhym Medvedev became the chairman. On the same day, the new Soviet government created the People's Secretariat of Ukraine. This was like a cabinet of ministers. They also sent a message to Russia about their new government.
How the Government Worked
The People's Secretariat
The People's Secretariat of Ukraine was the main governing body. It had 13 departments, each led by a "People's Secretary." These secretaries were like ministers. Most of them were Bolsheviks.
Here are some of the first secretaries:
| Secretariat | Secretary | Affiliation | Ethnicity |
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| Trade and Industry | Fyodor Sergeyev (Artyom) | Bolshevik | Russian |
| Finances | Vladimir Aussem | Bolshevik | German |
| Internal Affairs | Yevgenia Bosch | Bolshevik | German |
| Labor | Nikolai Skripnik | Bolshevik | Ukrainian |
| Education | Vladimir Zatonsky | Bolshevik | Ukrainian |
| International Affairs | Sergei Bakinsky | Bolshevik | |
| Food Supply | Emmanuil Luganovsky | Bolshevik | Jewish |
| Court Affairs | Vladimir Lyuksemburg | Bolshevik | |
| Military Affairs | Vasiliy Shakhrai | Bolshevik | Ukrainian |
| Secretariat Affairs | Georgiy Lapchinsky | Bolshevik | Ukrainian |
| Land Cultivation | Yevgeniy Terletsky | Left SR | Ukrainian |
| Post and Telegraph | vacant | ||
| Roads | vacant |
Later, on 12 January [O.S. 30 December] 1918, Yuriy Kotsyubynsky became the new Military Affairs Secretary. He was later made the Commander in Chief of the republic's armed forces.
See also
In Spanish: República Popular Ucraniana de los Sóviets para niños
