Editing History of Ukraine (section)

==== The Path to Independence ====
{{Main|People's Movement of Ukraine|1989–1991 Ukrainian revolution|Revolution on Granite|Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine|Dissolution of the Soviet Union}}
{{See also|Viacheslav Chornovil}}

By 1990, calls for Ukrainian sovereignty reached a fever pitch, fueled by decades of cultural suppression, economic exploitation, and a growing national consciousness among [[Ukrainians]]. On 21 January 1990, one of the most iconic demonstrations of unity and determination occurred when over 300,000 Ukrainians formed the "human chain" stretching from [[Kyiv]] to [[Lviv]]. This symbolic act, known as the "Chain of Unity", marked the anniversary of the [[Unification Act]] of the [[Ukrainian People's Republic]] and the [[West Ukrainian People's Republic]] in 1919. It highlighted the nation's steadfast commitment to reclaiming its independence, emphasizing the unity between eastern and western Ukraine.<ref name="subtelny-576">{{cite book|title=Ukraine: A History|author=Subtelny, Orest|publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]]|year=2000|isbn=0-8020-8390-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/ukrainehistory00subt_0/page/576 576]|author-link=Orest Subtelny|url=https://archive.org/details/ukrainehistory00subt_0/page/576}}</ref>

[[File:В.М.Чорновіл на шахті ім. Поченкова. 3.JPG|thumb|[[Viacheslav Chornovil]] meeting with striking miners during the [[1990s Donbas miners' strikes]]]]
These events were part of the broader [[1989–1991 Ukrainian revolution]]—a period of democratic transformation, national awakening, and growing resistance to Soviet authoritarianism. The revolution was driven by civil society, student movements, intellectuals, and reform-minded politicians who pushed for sovereignty, environmental justice, human rights, and national self-determination. One of the most influential forces during this period was [[People's Movement of Ukraine|Rukh]] (the People's Movement of Ukraine). Initially established as a cultural and civic organization, Rukh quickly evolved into a powerful political force advocating for Ukrainian independence. It played a central role in organizing protests, defending national symbols, and supporting legislative reforms, such as the recognition of [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]] as the official state language.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sappa |first=M. M. |title=Національно-визвольна революція в Україні 1989–1991 рр. як продукт соціального руху з багатовекторною мережною структурою |trans-title=The 1989–1991 National Liberation Revolution in Ukraine as a product of a social movement and multivector network of structures |url=https://dspace.univd.edu.ua/items/4761cd68-45f9-4e45-bd33-18d119272676 |access-date=17 December 2023 |website=Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs}}</ref>

A key figure in this movement was [[Viacheslav Chornovil]]—a former Soviet [[dissident]], journalist, and passionate advocate for national rights. Chornovil emerged as one of the most respected voices of the revolution. His moral authority, experience of imprisonment for political beliefs, and powerful rhetoric inspired thousands. As a leader within Rukh, he helped to unify disparate opposition groups and articulate a clear vision for an independent Ukraine based on democratic principles and historical justice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hrytsak |first=Yaroslav |author-link=Yaroslav Hrytsak |title=Ukraine 1989: The Blessing of Ignorance |url=https://www.iwm.at/transit-online/ukraine-1989-the-blessing-of-ignorance |access-date=17 December 2023 |website=[[Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen]]}}</ref>

One of the defining moments of this period came in October 1990, during the student-led protest in [[Kyiv]] known as the [[Revolution on Granite]]. Hundreds of students went on hunger strike in the central square, demanding the resignation of the Soviet-aligned government, the rejection of a new union treaty, and the mandatory military service of Ukrainians only within Ukraine. Their peaceful protest captured the public’s imagination and ended in success—the resignation of Prime Minister [[Vitaly Masol]] and the partial acceptance of their demands. It was a landmark event that showed the strength of civic resistance and the determination of Ukraine’s younger generation to chart a new political course.<ref name="lesson-revolution-granite">[http://m.day.kyiv.ua/en/article/day-after-day/lesson-revolution-granite The lesson of the Revolution on Granite], ''[[Den (newspaper)|Den]]'' (4 October 2016)</ref><ref name=istpravda246>{{in lang|uk}}
 [http://www.istpravda.com.ua/artefacts/2013/10/2/137246/#0 "Revolution on Granite". Photos of October 1990], [[Ukrayinska Pravda]] (accessdate: 11 November 2017)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revolution on Granite |url=https://gis.huri.harvard.edu/revolution-granite |access-date=10 November 2022 |website=Harvard University Digital Atlas on Ukraine}}</ref>

[[File:1991 CPA 6338.jpg|thumb|left|The Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine was marked on a 1991 USSR postage stamp]]
On 16 July 1990, the [[Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic]] adopted the [[Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine]]—a foundational legal document asserting the supremacy of Ukrainian laws over Soviet legislation, the right to form its own military, conduct international relations, and establish an independent economy. Though not a declaration of full independence, it was a decisive step that laid the groundwork for the future Ukrainian state and provided a legal framework for distancing from the USSR.<ref>{{cite book |last=Åslund |first=Anders |author-link=Anders Åslund |date=March 2009 |title=How Ukraine Became a Market Economy and Democracy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C8C3xuqd6aMC&pg=PA21 |access-date=29 January 2021 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=[[Peterson Institute for International Economics]] |page=21 |isbn=9780881325461}}</ref>

In March 1991, a [[1991 Soviet Union referendum|referendum on preserving the Soviet Union]] was held, and in Ukraine, the majority of voters approved the new Union Treaty, supporting the idea of joining the Soviet Union based on [[Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine|Ukraine's Declaration of State Sovereignty]]. Voters were specifically asked, "Do you agree that Ukraine should be part of a Union of Soviet sovereign states on the basis of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine?" The proposal was approved by 81.7% of voters.<ref name=N2>Nohlen & Stöver, p1985</ref>

However, a few months later, events occurred that radically changed the situation. In August 1991, the so-called [[August Coup]] took place in [[Moscow]], an attempt by conservative communists to seize power and regain tight control within the USSR. The coup failed, but it seriously undermined trust in the central government in the USSR, provoking a wave of declarations of independence among the republics.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 November 2021|title=Union of Sovereign States|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/union-sovereign-states|website=Encyclopedia.com}}</ref>