Ukraine vs Russia
CIT Shows
Ukraine vs Russia
Rex Laceby, candidate for Boulder Co. Sheriff this fall, provides foreign policy insites into the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and reminds us here in the US how lucky we are...
Brought to you by the CiT NETWORK and Captn's Lounge Studio.
Ukraine has a rich and complex history that spans thousands of years. Here's a brief overview of key historical events in Ukraine:
- Ancient History: The territory of modern-day Ukraine was home to several ancient civilizations, including the Scythians, Sarmatians, and Goths. In the 9th century, the region was part of the Kyivan Rus, a powerful medieval East Slavic state.
- Mongol Invasion: In the 13th century, the Mongols invaded Kyivan Rus, leading to the fragmentation of the state into various principalities. One of these principalities was Galicia-Volhynia in western Ukraine.
- Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth: In the 14th century, much of Ukraine came under the rule of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, a significant European power at the time. Eastern parts of Ukraine remained under the control of the Grand Duchy of Moscow (later the Russian Empire).
- Cossack Hetmanate: In the 17th century, the Cossacks, a semi-military group of warriors, played a prominent role in Ukrainian history. They rebelled against Polish rule and established the Cossack Hetmanate, an autonomous territory that existed for much of the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Partitions of Poland: In the late 18th century, Poland was partitioned by neighboring powers, and Ukrainian territories were divided among the Russian Empire, the Austrian Empire, and the Kingdom of Prussia.
- Russification and National Awakening: Throughout the 19th century, Ukrainian national consciousness and identity grew amid a period of cultural revival and increased Russification efforts by the Russian Empire.
- World War I and Independence: During World War I, Ukraine experienced significant turmoil and political changes. Following the Russian Revolution in 1917, Ukraine declared its independence in January 1918. However, it was short-lived, and by 1922, Ukraine became part of the Soviet Union.
- Soviet Era: Under Soviet rule, Ukraine experienced significant industrialization and collectivization, but also famine, repression, and political purges, particularly during the rule of Joseph Stalin.
- World War II: Ukraine was heavily affected during World War II. The country faced invasion and occupation by Nazi Germany, leading to immense suffering and loss of life.
- Independence: With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine declared its independence once again. Since then, Ukraine has faced political challenges, economic transformation, and tensions with Russia over various issues, including the Crimean annexation and conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
- Recent History: In the 21st century, Ukraine has experienced political upheavals, including the 2004 Orange Revolution and the 2014 Euromaidan protests, which led to the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovych. However, the country still faces ongoing challenges related to corruption, economic development, and territorial integrity.
This is just a brief overview, and Ukraine's history is much more intricate and multifaceted. Exploring further into the details of specific periods can provide a deeper understanding of the country's past.