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The initial establishment of the Ukrainian SSR occurred in December 1917 with the founding of the Ukrainian People's Republic of Soviets, which was governed by the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Ukrainian People's Republic of Soviets, an early iteration of the Ukrainian SSR, was founded in December 1917 and was governed by the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.
During the Russian Civil War, the Ukrainian People's Republic (UNR) was supported by Soviet Russian forces, while the Ukrainian Soviet Republic (USR) was internationally recognized.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the Russian Civil War, the Ukrainian People's Republic (UNR) was internationally recognized and supported by the Central Powers, while the Ukrainian Soviet Republic (USR) was solely supported by Soviet Russian forces.
The first Soviet Republic of Ukraine, declared in December 1917, was recognized by multiple international powers before its dissolution.
Answer: False
Explanation: The first Soviet Republic of Ukraine, declared in December 1917, was recognized only by the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic.
The second Soviet Ukrainian government, formed in February 1919, was liquidated by Vladimir Lenin due to local resistance against Russian policies and ongoing conflicts.
Answer: True
Explanation: Vladimir Lenin ordered the liquidation of the second Soviet Ukrainian government in August 1919 due to local resistance against Russian policies and ongoing conflicts.
The Ukrainian SSR became a founding member of the Soviet Union in 1922, alongside only the Russian and Byelorussian republics.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Ukrainian SSR became a founding member of the USSR in 1922 alongside the Russian, Byelorussian, and Transcaucasian republics.
The Holodomor famine of 1932-1933 was solely caused by natural drought conditions, with no connection to Soviet agricultural policies.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Holodomor famine resulted from Joseph Stalin's aggressive agricultural policies, including compulsory grain requisitions and forced collectivization, not solely natural drought.
When was the Ukrainian People's Republic of Soviets, an early iteration of the Ukrainian SSR, founded?
Answer: December 1917
Explanation: The Ukrainian People's Republic of Soviets was founded in December 1917, following the Bolshevik Revolution.
Which two primary competing governments emerged in Ukraine during the Russian Civil War (1917-1923)?
Answer: The Ukrainian People's Republic and the Ukrainian Soviet Republic
Explanation: During the Russian Civil War, the independent Ukrainian People's Republic (UNR) and the Ukrainian Soviet Republic (USR) were the two primary competing governments.
What was the fate of the first Soviet Republic of Ukraine, declared in December 1917?
Answer: It was defeated and dissolved by mid-1918 following the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
Explanation: The first Soviet Republic of Ukraine, declared in December 1917, was defeated and dissolved by mid-1918 after the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.
Why did Vladimir Lenin order the liquidation of the second Soviet Ukrainian government in August 1919?
Answer: It enforced policies not aligned with local needs, leading to resistance and conflicts.
Explanation: Vladimir Lenin ordered the liquidation of the second Soviet Ukrainian government because it enforced Russian policies that were not aligned with local needs, leading to resistance and ongoing conflicts.
When did the Ukrainian SSR become one of the founding members of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)?
Answer: December 1922
Explanation: The Ukrainian SSR became one of the founding members of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) on December 30, 1922.
What was the estimated direct loss of human life during the Holodomor famine of 1932-1933?
Answer: Between 2.6 million and 10 million
Explanation: The Holodomor famine of 1932-1933 caused an estimated direct loss of human life between 2.6 million and 10 million.
The borders of the Ukrainian SSR consistently expanded throughout its existence, primarily by acquiring territories with non-Ukrainian ethnic majorities.
Answer: False
Explanation: The borders of the Ukrainian SSR generally expanded to include lands with ethnic Ukrainian majorities, while some territories with other ethnic majorities were lost.
During World War II, the Ukrainian SSR's territory expanded to include lands from Poland, Romania, and Czechoslovakia.
Answer: True
Explanation: During World War II, the Ukrainian SSR acquired territories from Poland (Galician lands), Romania (Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, Hertsa region), and Czechoslovakia (Transcarpathia).
Ukraine suffered minimal human and material losses during World War II, allowing for a swift post-war recovery without significant external aid.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ukraine suffered immense human and material devastation during World War II, including millions of casualties, widespread destruction of cities and villages, and a largely destroyed industrial base.
The transfer of Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR in 1954 was primarily a strategic military decision to strengthen Soviet naval presence in the Black Sea.
Answer: False
Explanation: The transfer of Crimea in 1954 was primarily a symbolic gesture, celebrated as the 300th anniversary of Ukraine's reunification with Russia, and aimed to legitimize Marxism-Leninism.
The Soviet September Polish campaign in 1939 was portrayed as the 'Golden September' for Ukrainians, emphasizing the unification of Ukrainian lands.
Answer: True
Explanation: Soviet propaganda portrayed the Soviet September Polish campaign in 1939 as the 'Golden September' for Ukrainians, emphasizing the unification of Ukrainian lands on both banks of the Zbruch River.
Which of the following territories was acquired by the Ukrainian SSR from Poland in 1939?
Answer: Eastern Galicia and Volhynia
Explanation: In September 1939, the Ukrainian SSR acquired Galician lands, including Eastern Galicia and Volhynia, from Poland.
Which regions were permanently annexed by the Ukrainian SSR in 1945?
Answer: Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, Hertsa region, and Transcarpathia
Explanation: In 1945, Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, the Hertsa region (from Romania), and Transcarpathia (from Czechoslovakia) were permanently annexed by the Ukrainian SSR.
What was the primary symbolic reason given for the transfer of Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR in 1954?
Answer: To celebrate the 300th anniversary of Ukraine's reunification with Russia.
Explanation: The transfer of Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR in 1954 was primarily a symbolic act to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Ukraine's reunification with Russia.
How did Soviet propaganda portray the Soviet September Polish campaign in 1939 for Ukrainians?
Answer: As the 'Golden September' unifying Ukrainian lands.
Explanation: Soviet propaganda portrayed the Soviet September Polish campaign in 1939 as the 'Golden September' for Ukrainians, emphasizing the unification of Ukrainian lands.
The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was a fully independent state with complete autonomy in foreign affairs from its inception in 1922 until its dissolution.
Answer: False
Explanation: While a constituent republic of the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian SSR had very limited autonomy in foreign affairs, with defense matters managed by the Soviet Armed Forces.
The Communist Party of Ukraine, a branch of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, was the sole governing body of the Ukrainian SSR, centralizing all political power.
Answer: True
Explanation: Under the Soviet one-party system, the Communist Party of Ukraine, as a branch of the CPSU, centralized all political power, with official government bodies holding little real authority.
The Ukrainian SSR's legislative authority was initially vested in the Congress of Soviets of Ukraine, which later transformed into the Supreme Soviet.
Answer: True
Explanation: Legislative authority was initially held by the Congress of Soviets of Ukraine, which later transformed into the Supreme Soviet after a Stalinist constitution was published.
The Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR had the power to enact legislation, amend the constitution, and approve the budget.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR was empowered to enact legislation, amend the constitution, adopt new administrative boundaries, and approve the budget.
Elections to the Supreme Soviet were always free and allowed multiple candidates, even before Gorbachev's reforms.
Answer: False
Explanation: Before Gorbachev's reforms in 1989, elections to the Supreme Soviet were largely symbolic, with nominees chosen directly by party authorities.
The Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet held the most executive authority in the Ukrainian SSR, surpassing the Communist Party's politburo.
Answer: False
Explanation: While nominally the head of state, the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet held less executive authority than the Communist Party's politburo and its First Secretary.
The Ukrainian SSR was a separate member of the Warsaw Pact and Comecon, demonstrating its significant foreign policy independence.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Ukrainian SSR was not a separate member of the Warsaw Pact or Comecon, although it was a member of several other international organizations like the UN.
What was the primary governing body of the Ukrainian SSR under the Soviet system?
Answer: The Communist Party of Ukraine
Explanation: Under the Soviet one-party system, the Communist Party of Ukraine, as a branch of the CPSU, was the primary governing body, centralizing all political power.
What significant international organization did the Ukrainian SSR become a founding member of in 1945?
Answer: The United Nations
Explanation: Despite being a Soviet republic, the Ukrainian SSR became a founding member of the United Nations in 1945.
Which legislative body initially held authority in the Ukrainian SSR before being transformed into the Supreme Soviet?
Answer: The Congress of Soviets of Ukraine
Explanation: Legislative authority in the Ukrainian SSR was initially vested in the Congress of Soviets of Ukraine, which later transformed into the Supreme Soviet.
Which of the following was NOT a power possessed by the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR?
Answer: Directly electing the First Secretary of the Communist Party
Explanation: The Supreme Soviet had powers such as enacting legislation, amending the constitution, and approving the budget, but the First Secretary of the Communist Party was chosen by party authorities, not directly elected by the Supreme Soviet.
How were elections to the Supreme Soviet conducted before Gorbachev's reforms in 1989?
Answer: They were largely symbolic, with nominees chosen by party authorities.
Explanation: Before Gorbachev's reforms, elections to the Supreme Soviet were largely symbolic, with nominees from electoral districts directly chosen by party authorities.
Who was nominally considered the equivalent of the head of state in the Ukrainian SSR, though most executive authority lay elsewhere?
Answer: The Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet
Explanation: The Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet was nominally considered the equivalent of the head of state, though most executive authority resided with the Communist Party's politburo and its First Secretary.
Which of these international organizations was the Ukrainian SSR NOT a separate member of?
Answer: Warsaw Pact
Explanation: The Ukrainian SSR was a member of several UN-affiliated organizations but was not a separate member of the Warsaw Pact or Comecon.
Before 1945, the Ukrainian economy was primarily industrial, with a small agricultural sector inherited from the Tsarist Empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: Before 1945, the Ukrainian economy was primarily agricultural, with over 90% of the workforce being peasants, though Stalin's industrialization efforts did lead to a boom in heavy industry.
After 1945, Ukrainian agriculture quickly recovered to pre-war levels and became a highly productive sector, eliminating food shortages.
Answer: False
Explanation: After 1945, agricultural production in Ukraine was only 40% of its 1940 level and remained an 'Achilles heel' of the economy, characterized by low productivity and frequent food shortages.
Industrial growth in Ukraine from 1965 until 1991 was characterized by consistent double-digit increases, driven by a focus on consumer goods production.
Answer: False
Explanation: From 1965 until 1991, industrial growth in Ukraine decreased and stagnated, with low growth figures and a continued emphasis on heavy industry over consumer goods.
To meet energy demands, the Ukrainian SSR constructed five water reservoirs along the Dnieper River and launched an intensive nuclear power program.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Ukrainian SSR addressed its increasing energy needs by constructing Dnieper reservoirs for hydroelectricity and launching an intensive nuclear power program by the 1970s.
Urbanization in post-Stalin Ukraine led to a significant shift, with the majority of ethnic Ukrainians living in urban areas and working in non-agricultural sectors by 1979.
Answer: True
Explanation: Rapid urbanization in post-Stalin Ukraine resulted in the majority of ethnic Ukrainians living in urban areas and working in non-agricultural sectors by 1979.
What characterized the Ukrainian economy before 1945?
Answer: It was predominantly agricultural, with over 90% of the workforce being peasants.
Explanation: Before 1945, the Ukrainian economy was predominantly agricultural, with over 90% of the workforce being peasants, despite later industrialization efforts.
What was the state of agricultural production in Ukraine immediately after 1945?
Answer: It was only 40% of its 1940 level, remaining an 'Achilles heel'.
Explanation: Immediately after 1945, agricultural production in Ukraine was only 40% of its 1940 level and remained a persistent weakness in the economy.
What was the trend of industrial growth in Ukraine from 1965 until the dissolution of the Soviet Union?
Answer: Decreased and stagnated growth, with emphasis on heavy industry.
Explanation: From 1965 until the dissolution of the Soviet Union, industrial growth in Ukraine decreased and stagnated, with a continued emphasis on heavy industry.
How did the Ukrainian SSR address its increasing energy consumption needs in the post-war era?
Answer: By constructing Dnieper reservoirs for hydroelectricity and launching a nuclear power program.
Explanation: The Ukrainian SSR addressed its increasing energy consumption needs by constructing Dnieper reservoirs for hydroelectricity and launching an intensive nuclear power program.
What significant societal shift occurred in post-Stalin Ukraine due to urbanization?
Answer: The majority of ethnic Ukrainians lived in urban areas and worked in non-agricultural sectors.
Explanation: Due to rapid urbanization in post-Stalin Ukraine, the majority of ethnic Ukrainians came to live in urban areas and work in non-agricultural sectors by 1979.
The official motto of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was 'Workers of the world, unite!' in both Ukrainian and Russian.
Answer: True
Explanation: The official motto of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was indeed 'Workers of the world, unite!', expressed in both Ukrainian and Russian.
Ukrainian was declared the sole official language of the Ukrainian SSR in 1990, although Russian and other languages were also recognized.
Answer: True
Explanation: While Russian and other languages were recognized, Ukrainian was declared the sole official language of the Ukrainian SSR in 1990.
The policy of Ukrainization in the 1920s aimed to suppress the Ukrainian language and promote Russian culture within the Ukrainian SSR.
Answer: False
Explanation: The policy of Ukrainization in the 1920s aimed to actively promote the Ukrainian language and elevate ethnic Ukrainians to leadership positions.
The 'Khrushchev Thaw' led to a complete end of Russification policies and full cultural autonomy for the Ukrainian SSR.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Khrushchev Thaw' led to a partial Ukrainization and cultural thaw, but it did not signify a complete end to Russification policies or full cultural autonomy.
The policy of *rastsvet*, *sblizhenie*, and *sliianie* under Brezhnev aimed to promote the distinct cultural identities of all Soviet nationalities.
Answer: False
Explanation: The policy of *rastsvet*, *sblizhenie*, and *sliianie* under Brezhnev, while ostensibly about combining the best elements of cultures, practically represented a reintroduction of Russification policies.
The Soviet government actively promoted religious institutions and practices throughout the Ukrainian SSR.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Soviet government pursued a policy of state atheism, leading to the destruction of many churches and synagogues and the suppression of religious practices in the Ukrainian SSR.
What was the official motto of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic?
Answer: Workers of the world, unite!
Explanation: The official motto of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was 'Workers of the world, unite!'.
When was Ukrainian declared the sole official language of the Ukrainian SSR?
Answer: 1990
Explanation: Ukrainian was declared the sole official language of the Ukrainian SSR in 1990.
What was the primary goal of the Ukrainization policy implemented in the Ukrainian SSR during the 1920s?
Answer: To actively promote the Ukrainian language and elevate ethnic Ukrainians to leadership.
Explanation: The primary goal of the Ukrainization policy was to actively promote the use and social status of the Ukrainian language and to elevate ethnic Ukrainians to leadership positions within the republic.
What was a key impact of the 'Khrushchev Thaw' on the Ukrainian SSR?
Answer: The establishment of Ukraine's first mission to the United Nations in 1958.
Explanation: A key impact of the 'Khrushchev Thaw' was the establishment of Ukraine's first mission to the United Nations in 1958, alongside amnesties and increased Ukrainian representation in leadership.
The policy of *rastsvet*, *sblizhenie*, and *sliianie* introduced during Brezhnev's rule practically represented what?
Answer: A reintroduction of Russification policies.
Explanation: The policy of *rastsvet*, *sblizhenie*, and *sliianie* under Brezhnev, despite its stated goals, practically represented a reintroduction of Russification policies aimed at creating a single 'Soviet nationality'.
What was the impact of Soviet rule on religious institutions in the Ukrainian SSR?
Answer: The destruction of many churches and synagogues due to state atheism.
Explanation: Soviet rule, driven by state atheism, led to the destruction of many churches and synagogues in the Ukrainian SSR.
Upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Ukrainian SSR immediately adopted a completely new constitution, replacing all Soviet-era legal frameworks.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Ukraine gained independence in 1991, a modified Soviet-era constitution remained in use until the adoption of the modern Ukrainian constitution in June 1996.
Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms were immediately and fully implemented in Ukraine, leading to rapid economic and social changes.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms were initially delayed in Ukraine due to conservative leadership and were largely not implemented in practice, leading to social and economic stagnation.
The Supreme Soviet of Ukraine declared independence and renamed the republic as Ukraine immediately following the failed August Coup in Moscow in 1991.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following the failed August Coup in Moscow, the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine declared independence on August 24, 1991, and officially renamed the republic as Ukraine.
The 1991 Ukrainian independence referendum showed strong support for independence only in Western Ukraine, with Eastern Ukraine and Crimea voting against it.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 1991 independence referendum showed nationwide support, with majorities in all oblasts, including Crimea (54%) and Eastern Ukraine (over 80%).
Ukraine's secession was a minor factor in the dissolution of the Soviet Union, as the USSR could have remained intact without it.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ukraine's secession, as the second most powerful republic, eliminated any realistic possibility of the Soviet Union remaining intact, making it a major factor in the USSR's dissolution.
After independence, Ukraine refused to recognize any international agreements of the USSR, asserting a complete break from its Soviet past.
Answer: False
Explanation: After gaining independence, Ukraine declared itself the legal successor of the Ukrainian SSR, committing to fulfill international agreements of the USSR that did not contradict its own constitution and interests.
What was the legal status of the Ukrainian SSR upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991?
Answer: It emerged as the present-day independent state of Ukraine.
Explanation: Upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Ukrainian SSR emerged as the present-day independent state of Ukraine.
Which event significantly fueled opposition to Soviet rule in Ukraine, contributing to the delay of Gorbachev's reforms?
Answer: The Chernobyl disaster of 1986
Explanation: The Chernobyl disaster of 1986 significantly fueled opposition to Soviet rule in Ukraine, contributing to the delay of Gorbachev's reforms and increasing calls for greater autonomy.
What was the immediate consequence for the Ukrainian SSR following the failed August Coup in Moscow in 1991?
Answer: It declared independence and officially renamed itself Ukraine.
Explanation: Immediately following the failed August Coup in Moscow in 1991, the Supreme Soviet of Ukraine declared independence and officially renamed the republic as Ukraine.
What percentage of voters supported independence in the 1991 Ukrainian independence referendum?
Answer: 92.3%
Explanation: In the 1991 Ukrainian independence referendum, 92.3% of voters nationwide supported independence.
How did Ukraine contribute to the formal dissolution of the Soviet Union?
Answer: By signing the Belovezh Accords, declaring the USSR ceased to exist.
Explanation: Ukraine contributed to the formal dissolution of the Soviet Union by signing the Belovezh Accords on December 8, 1991, which declared the USSR effectively ceased to exist.
What was Ukraine's stance on the succession of the Soviet Union's international agreements after gaining independence?
Answer: It committed to fulfilling USSR agreements that did not contradict its constitution and interests.
Explanation: After gaining independence, Ukraine committed to fulfilling international agreements of the USSR that did not contradict its own constitution and national interests.
Kiev served as the capital of the Ukrainian SSR from its establishment in 1919 until the republic's dissolution in 1991.
Answer: False
Explanation: Kharkov served as the capital from 1919 until 1934, after which Kiev became the capital for the remainder of the republic's existence.
According to the 1989 Soviet census, the Ukrainian SSR was the most populous republic within the Soviet Union.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Ukrainian SSR was the second most populous republic, after the Russian SFSR, with a population of 51,706,746 according to the 1989 census.
The name 'Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic' was adopted in 1919, immediately upon the republic's formation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The republic was initially known as 'Ukraine' and 'Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic' (USRR) in 1919; the name 'Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic' was officially adopted in 1936/1937.
The term 'Ukraine' is widely accepted to be derived from a Greek word meaning 'fertile land'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The name 'Ukraine' is often believed to be derived from the Slavic word 'okraina', meaning 'border land'.
The usage of 'The Ukraine' in English is now discouraged because it implies a disregard for the country's sovereignty.
Answer: True
Explanation: The usage of 'The Ukraine' is discouraged in professional writing as it implies a disregard for the country's sovereignty and is considered politically incorrect.
Which of the following was NOT an alternative name or abbreviation for the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic?
Answer: Ukrainian People's Republic
Explanation: The Ukrainian People's Republic was an independent state that competed with the early Soviet Ukrainian governments, not an alternative name for the Ukrainian SSR.
Which city served as the capital of the Ukrainian SSR from 1919 until 1934?
Answer: Kharkov
Explanation: Kharkov served as the capital of the Ukrainian SSR from its establishment in 1919 until 1934.
What was the population of the Ukrainian SSR according to the 1989 Soviet census?
Answer: Approximately 51.7 million
Explanation: According to the 1989 Soviet census, the Ukrainian SSR had a population of 51,706,746 people.
What was the initial name of the republic in 1919 before it became the 'Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic'?
Answer: Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic (USRR)
Explanation: In 1919, the republic was initially known as 'Ukraine' and 'Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic' (USRR).
From which Slavic word is the name 'Ukraine' often believed to be derived?
Answer: Okraina, meaning 'border land'
Explanation: The name 'Ukraine' is often believed to be derived from the Slavic word 'okraina', meaning 'border land'.
Why is the usage of 'The Ukraine' discouraged in English today?
Answer: It implies a disregard for Ukraine's sovereignty.
Explanation: The usage of 'The Ukraine' is discouraged because it implies a disregard for the country's sovereignty and is considered politically incorrect.
What was the most common administrative division within the Ukrainian SSR?
Answer: Oblast (province)
Explanation: The most common administrative division within the Ukrainian SSR was the oblast (province).
Which two cities in the Ukrainian SSR held 'special status'?
Answer: Kiev and Sevastopol
Explanation: Kiev and Sevastopol were designated 'cities with special status', meaning they were directly subordinate to central Ukrainian SSR authorities.