Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity 2013–2014: Origins, Progress, and Impact on Society

Abstract

Introduction: The analysis of the Euromaidan (Revolution of Dignity) events will remain relevant for a long time, both from a scientific and applied point of view. It was the events of November 2013 – February 2014 that laid the foundations for real, not just declared, reforms in Ukraine, shaped the modern Ukrainian nation and identity and demonstrated to the world the aspirations and capacity of the Ukrainian people to be subjective in history, present and future.

Objectives: The aim of the article is to analyse the unity of the milestone revolutionary events in the modern history of Ukraine, focusing on the Revolution of Dignity as a revolution of values and historical and cultural subjectivity of Ukrainians.

Methods: The methodological basis of the article is the method of critical analysis of scientific literature, the historical and comparative method, and the methods of analysis and synthesis.

Results: The main reasons for the revolutionary events were the usurpation of power by former President Viktor Yanukovych and his subsequent refusal to sign the Association Agreement with the European Union. This violation of the aspirations of the Ukrainian people caused a natural wave of protest that grew into the Revolution of Dignity. The Euromaidan was an expression of the will of the Ukrainian people regarding values, freedom of choice, dignity, respect for human beings, and the ability to express their opinions freely. Initially, it was Euromaidan itself which united student and civic activists. The authorities' violent actions against the protesters led to the growth of revolutionary sentiment and brought people to the streets to protest. Adopting dictatorial laws on January 16 2014, only intensified the popular resistance. The storming of Euromaidan by the security forces and the shooting of people on 18-22 February 2014 (the Heavenly Hundred) turned Euromaidan into a Revolution of Dignity. The Euromaidan events unfolded across Ukraine, involving around 10 million people directly or indirectly participating in the protests.

Conclusions: This massive scale and scope of protests demonstrated the powerful potential of Ukrainian society for genuine renewal, the development of civil society, and the readiness to defend its values, even in the face of an arduous struggle and external threats from the Russian Federation.