The Problem of the Colonial Status of Ukrainian Lands within the russian empire in the 'Long 19th Century': Second Lecture within the 'Week of Unity' Project

Typical or atypical colony, semi-colony, or "non-colony"? What status did Ukrainian lands have in the 19th century?

This question was addressed by historian and associate professor at the Institute of Ukrainian History at the School of History of Karazin University, Denis Zhuravlyov, during the lecture "The Problem of the Colonial Status of Ukrainian Lands within the russian empire in the 'Long 19th Century'".

Denis Zhuravlyov became the second lecturer within the "Week of Unity" project. During the lecture, participants learned about the formation of colonies, the economic, social, and foreign policy goals of colonies for the metropolises. The lecturer provided numerous examples of the colonial policies of countries worldwide and the situation of colonies in this context.

The central theme was the issue of the colonial status of Ukrainian lands. Denis Zhuravlyov suggested the idea of Ukrainian lands in the 19th century as part of the heartland of the russian empire. According to this perspective, Ukrainian lands were seen as a vital region for the empire. The empire did not plan to take care of the heartland; instead, it viewed this region as "forever in my possession." Losing such a region was felt by the empire much more painfully than losing one of many colonies.

Denis Zhuravlyov concluded the lecture with a key idea: "Our past does not define us going forward. We only need to study our experience, accept and analyze it. The path we take next depends solely on us.