Ukraine was the center of the first Slavic state, Kievan Rus, which during
the 10th and 11th centuries was the largest and most powerful
state in Europe. Weakened by internecine quarrels and Mongol
invasions, Kievan Rus was incorporated into the Grand Duchy
of Lithuania and eventually into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
The cultural and religious legacy of Kievan Rus laid the foundation
for Ukrainian nationalism through subsequent centuries. A
new Ukrainian state, the Cossack Hetmanate, was established
during the mid-17th century after an uprising against the
Poles. Despite continuous Muscovite pressure, the Hetmanate
managed to remain autonomous for well over 100 years. During
the latter part of the 18th century, most Ukrainian ethnographic
territory was absorbed by the Russian Empire. Following the
collapse of czarist Russia in 1917, Ukraine was able to bring
about a short-lived period of independence (1917-20), but
was reconquered and forced to endure a brutal Soviet rule
that engineered two artificial famines (1921-22 and 1932-33)
in which over 8 million died. In World War II, German and
Soviet armies were responsible for some 7 to 8 million more
deaths. Although final independence for Ukraine was achieved
in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy remained
elusive as the legacy of state control and endemic corruption
stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil
liberties.
A
peaceful mass protest "Orange Revolution" in the closing months
of 2004 forced the authorities to overturn a rigged presidential
election and to allow a new internationally monitored vote
that swept into power a reformist slate under Viktor YUSHCHENKO.
The new government presents its citizens with hope that the
country may at last attain true freedom and prosperity.