Ukraine Turmoil Essay
Final Exam Essay
May 2014
In today’s world, it seems like there is “bad” news everywhere in the world. Ukraine is one location where they have been having turmoil. Recently, Ukraine has had some complications with antigovernment protesters, sometimes it led to death. These protestors are trying to have their voices heard regarding President Viktor Yanukovych rejection to the agreement with the European Union in
November 2013; it was said that there were stronger ties with Russia. The protestors were outraged because they wanted to integrate with Europe. Some protestors believed that Yanukovych was striving for power and wasn’t serving the interests of his people. Yanukovych actually signed into law ten antiprotest laws that the Parliament of Ukraine created. This will take away freedom of speech; affect the non-governmental organizations, as well as many others. This seems to make sense when you look at the history of the Ukraine.
For centuries, there have battles over Ukraine’s position between East and West. In the 17th century,
Eastern Ukraine was under Russia imperial rule. In the west there were shifting control of European powers, such as Poland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This might help explain why the west is more likely to choose “Western-leaning politicians” (Conant) and is more Ukraine-speaking with a Catholic influence; whereas, the east is more Russian-speaking and Orthodox.
Throughout the earlier years, Ukraine has been overtaken by competing powers and a division was being made. The division was amongst the peoples’ beliefs and views; some saw the rule of the Russia imperial and Soviet Union was a good thing, while others believed it was a tragedy. In the 16 th and 17th
century it seemed that Poland had some control, but not after a war between Tsardom of Russia and the
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In the 1930s, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin led millions to their deaths through starvation. In order for him to
May 2014
In today’s world, it seems like there is “bad” news everywhere in the world. Ukraine is one location where they have been having turmoil. Recently, Ukraine has had some complications with antigovernment protesters, sometimes it led to death. These protestors are trying to have their voices heard regarding President Viktor Yanukovych rejection to the agreement with the European Union in
November 2013; it was said that there were stronger ties with Russia. The protestors were outraged because they wanted to integrate with Europe. Some protestors believed that Yanukovych was striving for power and wasn’t serving the interests of his people. Yanukovych actually signed into law ten antiprotest laws that the Parliament of Ukraine created. This will take away freedom of speech; affect the non-governmental organizations, as well as many others. This seems to make sense when you look at the history of the Ukraine.
For centuries, there have battles over Ukraine’s position between East and West. In the 17th century,
Eastern Ukraine was under Russia imperial rule. In the west there were shifting control of European powers, such as Poland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This might help explain why the west is more likely to choose “Western-leaning politicians” (Conant) and is more Ukraine-speaking with a Catholic influence; whereas, the east is more Russian-speaking and Orthodox.
Throughout the earlier years, Ukraine has been overtaken by competing powers and a division was being made. The division was amongst the peoples’ beliefs and views; some saw the rule of the Russia imperial and Soviet Union was a good thing, while others believed it was a tragedy. In the 16 th and 17th
century it seemed that Poland had some control, but not after a war between Tsardom of Russia and the
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In the 1930s, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin led millions to their deaths through starvation. In order for him to
Cited: "Anti-protest laws in Ukraine." 4 April 2013. Wikipedia. May 2013 . BBC. "Why is Ukraine in turmoil?" 22 February 2014. BBC News. May 2014 . Conant, Eve. "How History, Geography Help Explain Ukraine 's Political Crisis." 29 January 2014. National Geographic. May 2014 .