Periodization of the Ukrainisation process in the USSR in 1920–1938: a historiographic aspect

Abstract

The article deals with the research of the process of Ukrainianization and peculiarities of its defined stages in the period 1920–1938. The relevance of the study of this problem has been indicated. The stages of the defined periods of the Ukrainianisation process in 1920-1930, in particular in the South of Ukraine, have been characterized. It has been noted in the article that the determination of Ukrainianisation periods is based on the conceptual basis of the government policy aimed at solving the national issue in the Ukrainian SSR of the studied period. The stages of the Ukrainianisation of the South of Ukraine in 1920–1938 have been distinguished. The first stage (1920–1922) was the institutional stage that was based on the establishment of educational institutions: a new system and structure of educational process were organized, social education institutions were established, where Ukrainian language was introduced; relatively independent governing bodies of education were formed. The second stage (1923–1930) was the progressive period that was characterized as the period of the highest achievements of Ukrainianisation. The third stage (1931–1938) was the stagnant and regressive stage that was based on intensification of ideological pressure, intervention of the governing bodies of state power of the USSR in the sphere of education of Ukraine, unification of the secondary education system, collapse and total completion of the policy of Ukrainianisation. It has been determined that the socio-political transformations in Ukraine during 1920–1938, which directly influenced the development of the national educational sector, as well as the revival and development of the national culture, were caused by historical conditions. As the basis for determining the periods of Ukrainianisation, the conceptual foundations of the governmental policy of both the USSR and the Ukrainian SSR aimed at resolving the national issue in Ukraine of the defined period have been taken.