Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic facts for kids

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Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic (1936–1991)

Украинская Советская Социалистическая Республика (Russian)
Ukrainskaya Sovetskaya Sotsialisticheskaya Respublika
Українська Радянська Соціалістична Республіка (Ukrainian)
Ukrayins'ka Radyans'ka Sotsialistichna Respublika

Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic (1919–1936)

Украинская Социалистическая Советская Республика (Russian)
Ukrainskaya Sotsialisticheskaya Sovetskaya Respublika
Українська Соціалістична Радянська Республіка (Ukrainian)
Ukrayins'ka Sotsialistichna Radyans'ka Respublika

1919–1991
1941–1944: German and Romanian occupation

Flag (1950–1991)

State emblem
(1949–1991)

Motto: Пролетарі всіх країн, єднайтеся! (Ukrainian)
"Proletari vsikh krayin, yednaitesia!" (transliteration)
"Workers of the world, unite!"

Anthem: Державний гімн Української Радянської Соціалістичної Республіки (Ukrainian)
Derzhavnyy himn Ukrayins'koyi Radyans'koyi
Sotsialistychnoyi Respubliky (transliteration)

Location of the Ukrainian SSR within the Soviet Union from 1954

Status

Independent Socialist Republic (1919–1922)
Union Republic of the USSR (1922–1990)
Union Republic with priority of Ukrainian legislation (1990–1991)

Capital

Kharkiv (1919–1934)
Kiev (1934–1991)

Common languages

Russian (dominant)
Ukrainian (folkloristic)
(in 1990 Ukrainian declared as official)^a

Government

Soviet republic

First Secretary

• 1918–1919

Emanuel Kviring (first)

• 1990–1991

Stanislav Hurenko (last)

Head of state

• 1919–1938

Grigory Petrovsky (first)

• 1990–1991

Leonid Kravchuk (last)

Head of government

• 1919–1923

Christian Rakovsky (first)

• 1988–1991

Vitold Fokin (last)

Legislature

Supreme Soviet

Historical era

20th century

• Declaration of the Ukrainian Soviet republic

10 March 1919

• Admitted to USSR

30 December 1922

• Annexation of Western Ukraine from Poland

15 November 1939

• Admitted to the United Nations

24 October 1945

• Priority of Ukrainian laws declared, Soviet laws partially abolished

16 July 1990

• Declaration of independence, Ukrainian SSR renamed to Ukraine

24 August 1991

• Ukrainian independence referendum

1 December 1991

• Ratification of agreement to dissolve the Soviet Union

10 December 1991

• Dissolution of the Soviet Union (Ukraine's independence formally recognized)

26 December 1991

• Soviet government officially abolished (New constitution)

28 June 1996

Area

1989 census

603,700 km² (233,100 sq mi)

Population

• 1989 census

51,706,746

Currency

Soviet ruble (karbovanets)

Calling code

7 03/04/05/06

Preceded by

Succeeded by

	Ukrainian People's Republic
	Free Territory
	Second Polish Republic
	Kingdom of Romania
	Reichskommissariat Ukraine
	General Government
	Polish People's Republic
	Kingdom of Hungary
	Crimean Oblast

Kingdom of Romania
Moldavian SSR
Reichskommissariat Ukraine
General Government
Polish People's Republic
Ukraine

Today part of

Ukraine

Russia (some parts disputed)

Moldova

Poland

Romania (Tătaru Mare Island)

Law of Ukraine "About languages of the Ukrainian SSR"

Order of Lenin

Four Hero City awards

The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, often called the Ukrainian SSR or Soviet Ukraine, was a large part of the Soviet Union. It was located in the southwestern part of this big country. From 1922 to 1991, it was one of the most important parts of the Soviet Union, having the second-largest population among its fifteen republics.

The Ukrainian SSR was even a founding member of the United Nations. However, it didn't have much real power because the main government in Moscow controlled it very strictly. When the Soviet Union officially ended, the Ukrainian SSR became the independent country we know today as Ukraine.

Over its 72-year history, the borders of the Ukrainian SSR changed several times. The city of Kharkiv was its first capital. But in 1934, the capital was moved to Kyiv. Kyiv is still the capital city of Ukraine today.

How the Ukrainian SSR Started
- Joining the Soviet Union
Changes to Ukraine's Borders
- Expanding Westward
- World War II and Occupation
Ukraine's Role in the World
- A Member of the United Nations
The Path to Independence
Important People from Ukraine
Life in the Ukrainian SSR
Images for kids
See also

How the Ukrainian SSR Started

The Ukrainian SSR was created after a time of big changes and wars. It was officially declared on March 10, 1919. This happened during the Russian Civil War, when different groups were fighting for control.

Joining the Soviet Union

In 1922, the Ukrainian SSR became one of the first parts of the new Soviet Union. This was a very important step. It meant Ukraine was now part of a much larger communist state.

Changes to Ukraine's Borders

The size and shape of the Ukrainian SSR changed a lot over the years. This was due to different historical events and agreements.

Expanding Westward

In 1939, a part of Western Ukraine that used to belong to Poland was added to the Ukrainian SSR. This made the republic much larger.

World War II and Occupation

During World War II, from 1941 to 1944, parts of the Ukrainian SSR were taken over by Nazi Germany and Romania. This was a very difficult time for the people living there.

Ukraine's Role in the World

Even though it was part of the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian SSR had some unique roles on the world stage.

A Member of the United Nations

Surprisingly, the Ukrainian SSR became a member of the United Nations on October 24, 1945. This was a special arrangement that allowed it to have its own voice in the global organization, even while being controlled by Moscow.

The Path to Independence

Towards the end of the 20th century, the Soviet Union began to weaken. This led to big changes for the Ukrainian SSR.

Declaring Sovereignty

On July 16, 1990, the Ukrainian SSR declared that its own laws would be more important than Soviet laws. This was a huge step towards gaining freedom.

Becoming Independent Ukraine

On August 24, 1991, the Ukrainian SSR officially declared its independence. It was then renamed simply "Ukraine." This was a historic moment for the country.

The Final Step: Referendum

To make sure everyone agreed, a special vote was held on December 1, 1991. Most people voted for Ukraine to be an independent country. This confirmed its new status.

Important People from Ukraine

Many important leaders of the Soviet Union were born or grew up in Ukraine.

These leaders played big roles in Soviet history.

Life in the Ukrainian SSR

Life in the Ukrainian SSR was different from life in many other countries. The government controlled many aspects of daily life.

City Life and Housing

Many people lived in microdistricts, which were large neighborhoods with many apartment buildings. These were common in cities across the republic.

Agriculture and Industry

Agriculture was very important, with many farms growing food. The government also worked to increase the use of modern machines like tractors in farming.

The Chernobyl Disaster

A very serious event happened in 1986: the Chernobyl disaster. This was a nuclear power plant accident that had a huge impact on Ukraine and the world.

Images for kids

Front page of the Zakarpattia Ukraine newspaper (1944) with the manifest of unification with Soviet Ukraine
Bolshevik commissars in Ukraine (1919).
Soviet soldiers preparing rafts to cross the Dnieper during the Battle of the Dnieper (1943). The sign reads: "Let's get Kyiv!"
Three Soviet leaders were either born or raised in Ukraine: Nikita Khrushchev and Leonid Brezhnev (depicted here together); and Konstantin Chernenko.
Stamp in honor of the 300th anniversary of Unification of Ukraine with Russia, 1954 год
The 1991 Ukrainian presidential election. Former dissident Vyacheslav Chornovil gained 23.3 percent of the vote, compared to 61.6 percent for then Acting President Leonid Kravchuk.
The Declaration of Independence, as printed on the ballot for the referendum on 1 December 1991
Draft constitution of the Soviet Union (1937)
Central Kharkiv in 1981
Pavilion of Ukraine at the All-Russia Exhibition Centre in Moscow
A graph showing the increase in the use of tractors versus the decreasing use of working horses from 1928 to 1938
The Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Microdistricts, such as this one in Mykolaiv, became common sights throughout the Ukrainian SSR's cities.