The Orange Revolution in Ukraine

The Orange Revolution in Ukraine in the latter partthe Orange Revolution would lessen the influence
of 2004 consists of a series of protests andof Russia, and strengthen the imperialism idea of
other events and actions related to allegations ofthe US. It would seem as the Post WWII Cold
massive corruption in the government which wasWar is not really over. It has been found to be
then led by the former President, Yanukovich. Inbased on empirical evidence are the facts that
the website of Wikipedia, it is declared that thethe US provided assistance in the form of civil
main trigger for these protest actions was thesociety support, as they believed that this would
result of the run-off elections held on Novemberhelp influence political move in Ukraine. Therefore
11, 2004. Yanukovich was declared the winner ofthe evolution of democracy in the Ukraine is not a
those elections whereas the sentiments of theresult of American foreign policy, but it was the
people centered on the belief that the true winnerresult of a firm and real desire of the Ukrainian
of those elections was Viktor Yushchenko. Thepeople for social and political change. A democracy
Ukrainian citizens went to the streets of Kiev inis a government for the people where no single
the form of daily marches, strikes and protestsperson can take control of the government. Since
which led the government declared the results ofthe old government in Ukraine still had ideas from
the November 11, 2004 election was void, andthe old communist regime, the people wanted to
ordered a second election took place ontotally get rid of the old style government. In
December 26, 2004. After, Yushchenko wastodays globalize world, new ideas and thoughts
declared winner of the second election, and tookeasily flow from one part of the world to another.
his oath of office as the President of the UkraineTherefore, it was expected that change would be
in January of that year. Series of protesting wereeasily seen in Ukraine. No matter how much
called the Orange Revolution by the protesters,interfering there was from other countries, if the
and Yushchenko wore the orange colored uniformpeople themselves did not want to change, then
to symbolize their solidarity in the fight against anthere would have been no one on the streets to
old, corrupt regime. Ukraine, even after the fall ofprotest, willing to change in their government.
the Soviet Republic in 1991, seemed to be aTherefore it is normal that when people are
carry-over regime from the communist stylepushed to desperation we are willing for change. It
government. There have been many allegationshelped a lot when Viktor Yushchenko was
of corruption in government. The corruptpoisoned with dioxin, which resulted in a total
practices of the Soviets continued up until the fallchange in his features as well as in a serious illness
of communism. It is predictable that the transitionduring campaign. This affected the emotions of
from an old form of government to a democracypeople who then wanted to take this to the
would not be easy. However, in this case, thestreets to express their needs. Yushchenko
transition to a democracy was done in a verybecame the symbol of courage that drove its
peaceful environment because there was nopeople to participate even at the risk of losing
effort to disrupt any protests by using violent.their lives. Therefore it is clear that a true
Another issue was that some countries, likedemocracy comes from the hearts of people,
United States did some work in Ukraine whichand no violence, even death can change people's
came in the form of sponsoring the rallies and theminds once they have decided firmly on these
protests during the revolution. In the Decemberissues. The Orange Revolution showed that one is
21, 2004 issue of the Washington Post, therestill responsible for what happens in their life. The
have been allegations that the White House did allwant for freedom of expression and speech was
it could do to weaken the Russian power andmainly to bring a better quality of life and living
their influence in Ukraine. It is not hidden thatstandard. The unity that the Ukrainian people
Yanukovich had strong relations to Russia's leadershowed during these times can be seen as an
Putin, as the Russians saw Ukraine as their wayexample of what one can do and accomplish their
to Black Sea because they were able to purchasegoals. It is in the natural order of the world that
imports from Ukraine too. Therefore, giving aid inchaos usually leads to lasting peace and order.