Hetmanate

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This article is about the government of the Ukrainian National Republic, 1918–1920. For the Cossack state under the Russian Empire (1654–18th century), see Cossack Hetmanate.

The Hetmanate (Ukrainian: Гетьманат, Het’manat) was a short-lived provisional government of Ukraine, installed by Germany after disbanding the Central Rada of the Ukrainian National Republic on 28 April 1918. The Central Rada proved unable to maintain order; in chaotic conditions the administration soon lost the confidence of the landowning and business interests. In April 1918 these organised a coup and appointed the Conservative General Pavlo Skoropadsky (commander of the first Russian Corps to have been "Ukrainiansied", and later leader of the free cossacks) as Hetman of what was termed the Ukrainska Derzhava or Ukrainian State. The Austro-German occupiers wanting stability above all else, welcomed the coup; Skoropadsky co-operated with them, making him unpopular among many Ukrainian peasants. The new state retained the tryzub and the national colours, but reversed the flag design to light blue over yellow. The Sich Rifles opposed the coup and were disbanded along with the "Bluecoats" (a Ukrainian division named after their blue uniforms and formed from POW's in Germany and Austria).

Internal opposition was provoked by the Hetman's requisitioning of food stocks and restoration of land to the wealthy landowners. Opponents of the Skoropadsky regime committed acts of arson and sabotage, and in July 1918 assassinated Field-Marshall Von Eichhorn, the commander of the German troops in the Ukraine. The anti-Skoropadsky coalition succeeded in forcing him to re-form the Sich Rifles in August 1918. By then it was becoming obvious that the Central Powers had lost the war and that Skoropadsky could no longer rely on their support. He then turned to support from conservative Russian elements in society and proposed joining a federation with Denikin's Russia, which further eroded his standing among Ukrainians. After the Armistice in November 1918 they formed a rival body known as the Directory, whose forces were spearheaded by the Sich Rifles; the "Greycoats" also joined the revolt. Although German and Austrian troops were still present in Ukraine, they had no further interest in the war. Most of Skoropadsky's own forces went over to the directory, and he had to turn to the thousands of White Russian officers who escaped to Ukraine intending to join Denekin's Volunteer Army, which was based in the Don region further to the east. These were assembled into a "Special Corps" of white Russian officers; Denekin was willing to let them fight for Skoropadsky because he distrusted the Ukrainian nationalists, but they were unable to resist the Directory's troops. These Kyiv in December 1918, overthrew Skoropadsky's regime and forced him into exile. After Skoropadsky was expelled by insurgent forces, the Hetmanate was replaced by the Directorate.

[edit] References

[edit] On-line references

• Comparison of Skoropadsky to Yushchenko: "Ukrainian History: Deja Vue" and article in Ukrainian Pravda (Ukrainian Truth), October 11, 2005, available online (in English).