Ukrainians were generally not happy under Lenin’s rule, as it was characterized by a violent Bolshevik takeover, armed resistance, and the imposition of a foreign regime, though a brief, slightly easier period occurred during the New Economic Policy (NEP). While some experienced temporary relief under NEP, most faced the suppression of independence aspirations, destruction of cultural heritage, and forced grain requisitions.
Violent Takeover and Resistance: Following the 1917 revolution, many Ukrainians opposed Soviet rule, leading to intense conflict and insurgencies that continued for years.
Oppression and War Communism: The initial period involved "militant communism," where peasants were forced to hand over produce, causing widespread hardship.
Brief Relief (NEP): The introduction of the New Economic Policy (NEP) in the early 1920s allowed for some economic freedom, which some Ukrainians recalled as a "good time" compared to the preceding chaos.
Cultural and Political Subjugation: Despite promises of self-determination, Lenin's regime quickly worked to undermine Ukrainian efforts for independence, treating the region as a "colony" of the Russian center.
Lasting Impact: The groundwork for later Soviet repression and the loss of autonomy was firmly laid during this period.
Ultimately, the early Soviet period was a time of, or preceded, significant suffering, with many Ukrainians viewing the era as a continuation of Russian imperial control.
