HISTORICAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF PROCLAIMENT OF THE WEST UKRAINIAN PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC

Abstract

Austro-Hungarian Empire was on the brink of collapse during October, 1918, because of harsh political and international situation which was the result of the defeat during First World War. Polish and Czech people had political power, so they began to rebuild national statehood, ignoring the interests of other nationalities. Most Polish social and political figures of that time were convinced that Ukrainians had no right to claim the restoration of national statehood, since they were not a differentiated as a separate nation, they did not know their own history and they were not brought up on the basis of statehood and traditions.

The proclamation of ZUNR was supported by political and socio-economic situations along with presence of required international legal bases. A significant factor that focused and intensified the aspirations of Ukrainians was the Polish national liberation movement, which considered Galicia as its own territory. Moreover, the defeat of Austria- Hungary Empire in the First World War created essential preconditions for the establishment of ZUNR. The basis for manifestations in regards to the proclamation of national statehood was the Austrian emperor's manifesto of October 16, 1918, which approved the right of peoples to self-determination and Austria-Hungary became a federation.

Key words: West Ukrainian People's Republic, Ukrainian people's Council, act of unification, sejm, Galicia, constitution.