Liberation movement in Sumy region in 1917

• Main Authors: V. V. Reznikov, M. I. Kharlamov
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Publishing House "Grani" 2013-11-01
• Series: Granì
• Subjects: повстанці; селянський рух; Сумщина; Українська революція; Вільне козацтво
• Online Access: https://grani.org.ua/index.php/journal/article/view/319

This article provides an overview of the main causes and driving forces behind the formation of the Ukrainian military formations to fight against the Bolshevik invasion in 1917 in the Sumy region. This work is relevant due to the introduction of the scientific use of unpublished archival documents that strongly suggest the national character of Ukrainian anti­Bolshevik movement. After taking 7 November 1917 Ukrainian Central Rada Universal III who was declared the creation and autonomy UPR farmers Sumy, supported by the Central Council , considering themselves citizens of the newly formed state. Also positively to the Ukrainian Central Rada treated and military who were stationed in the Sumy region. This attitude to the Central Council was dominant among all Ukrainian population Sumy, evidence of archival documents. Generally, ukrainization positive effect on military discipline , because now the soldiers were on their own land and had to defend the homeland. Moreover, with the emergence of a new geopolitical map formation ­ UNR , there urgently need to create their own army. Central Council, which consisted mostly of socialists considered it inappropriate to establish their own army. This political short­sightedness played a negative role in the war against Bolshevik forces in late 1917. Forming their own armed forces and armed groups took place «below», because of the energy and the desire of ordinary people who united the ranks of the Free Cossacks , originally performed militias function, and then ­ in 1919 ­ 20s were the basis of the insurgency. Also enriched Ukrainian army of the former imperial army. Create Ukrainian voluntary groups went across the Sumy region ­ in Gluhovschina, Shostkivschyna , Romenshchyna, Lebedynschyna . It may be noted that 1917 was a turning point for the Ukrainian state and Bolshevik’s aggression December 9, 1917 ­ the catalyst through which began forming self Ukrainian peasant population.