On this day, June 23, 1917 (according to the old style – June 10, 1917), the Central Rada approved and solemnly proclaimed the First Universal at the II All-Ukrainian Military Congress in Kyiv, which determined Ukraine’s right to autonomy. Since its formation (March, 20, 1917) The Central Rada sought to determine the legal status of Ukraine as part of the Russian state. On April 8, 1917, Rada convened the Ukrainian National Congress, which gathered around 600 delegates and guests of that meeting. At this forum, the proposal of the Central Rada regarding national-territorial autonomy was supported and it was instructed to represent the interests of the Ukrainian people before the Provisional Government. However, the “Declaration of the Ukrainian Central Rada” demanding autonomy was ultimately rejected by the Russian authorities.
This stubborn position of the Russian government encouraged Ukrainian statesmen to take further steps in solving the national issue in the context of determining the form of state government. On May 28, 1917, the First All-Ukrainian National Congress opened, at which the results of negotiations with the Russian side were announced and the Central Rada’s initiatives to introduce an autonomous system in Ukraine were confirmed, as well as the drafting of a corresponding legislative act and the convening of a representative forum.
Due to such tough socio-political circumstances, on June 23, 1917, during the Second All-Ukrainian Military Congress, The First Universal on the Principles of Ukrainian State Autonomy was made public.
The main provisions of the document were as follows:
the declaration of the national-territorial autonomy of Ukraine;
giving the Central Rada the status of the highest state body in Ukraine;
the necessity of convening the Ukrainian Assembly – the legislative body of the Ukrainian state.
Universal encouraged citizens to self-organize and lay the foundations of an autonomous system. Each administrative-territorial unit had to establish mutual relations with the central body of state power of Ukraine. It was supposed to return part of the taxes paid to the Russian treasury to the national treasury and establish a regular mandatory fee for “native business”.
In the final provisions of Universal I it was stated: “Ukrainian people! Your destiny is in your hands. In this difficult time of global disorder and disintegration, prove with your unanimity and state mind that you, the people [of workers], the people of farmers, can proudly and worthily stand next to every organized, state people, as an equal with an equal.”
According to the provisions of the First Universal Central Rada took over the functions of state administration, that became the next stage of the Ukrainian revolution of 1917-1921 in the process of establishing a sovereign state.
On June 24, 1917, the First Universal was solemnly proclaimed on Sofia Cathedral Square, followed by a festive service and a military parade.
This document was published in the official printed body of the Central Rada – “News of the Ukrainian Central Rada”. 1917. No.9 (May). The periodicalwas published during April-November 1917, a total of 25 issues were published, including 19 by the Small Council (until July 1917 – by the Committee of the Ukrainian Central Rada), and the rest by the Presidium of the Central Rada.
Formed by:
The acting head of the department of modern history of Kyiv Hanna Andriiaka.