Makhnovia

Flag of Makhnovia, adopted in 1925

Makhnovia, the Free Territories of Ukraine or just Ukraine is an anarchist state situated in Eastern Europe. A relatively isolated state, it has developed little relations with the nations around them, except for the remaining Socialist Bloc across the world.

***This article is a WIP, it is not accurate anymore.***

## **Ukraine before the revolution: 1900-1925**

The Ukraine had been very tied to the Russian empire for centuries. Their immense amount of resources, mostly things like grain and wheat ironically made their Russian overlords dependent on the occupied Ukrainian lands. But as nationalism began to grow from the 1800s Ukrainians began to demand new reforms and many wanted full independence from Russia. Hatred between both sides grew. Thanks to the unpopularity of the Tsar in the 1890s exacerbated ethnic divides. When the Great War broke out, as the war dragged on the problems in Russia were beginning to increase. Tensions somewhat died down by the ousting of the Tsar and the establishment of the Russian Republic. Things also died down as Russia began to turn the tide of the war. Finally when the Great War ended, Russia saw some solidarity with its non-Russian ethnicities celebrating the defeat of Germany. But this was not going to last and instead, demands and reforms rose back up again. The subsequent arrival of Lenin, his work and assassination helped spread leftism throughout the most industrialized parts of Russia, and Ukraine was not spared. Agricultural reforms, still not being enough in the eyes of Ukrainian farmers adopted Radicalist beliefs, but due to the spread of Radicalism many also began adopting Anarchist and Syndicalist beliefs especially after the German Civil War. Nevertheless, Anarchism slowly outgrew the Radicalists in popularity and began waiting for the right time to strike Russia.

## **The Russian Civil War and Makhnovia**

When the Russian Civil War began, originally Crimea and Kiev declared their independence, and Ukraine for a time was not unified. As the Radicalists rebelled in Russia and more states declared their independence, Nestor Makhno along with the so-called “Black Army” drove the Russians out of the south-east coastal Black Sea region of Ukraine. The Russians, focusing on the Radicalists, and the Ukrainians, focused on Poland and disunification were exploited by Makhno and his army. In modern day (1936) Ukraine, it wasn’t until Makhno and his army controlled the entire eastern portion, only then did the Ukrainian states unify against Poland and Makhnovia. Yet it was too late. The Polish had wiped out or made peace with their enemies, and the democratic Ukraine was in no position to defend both sides of the border. As Poland entered Kiev, Anarchists captured Sevastopol causing a complete capitulation of the Democratic Republic of Ukraine. In the peace that followed, Poland would keep their lands they occupied except for Kiev which they granted to Makhno. With peace made from the Russians and polish, Makhnovia emerged out of the Russian Civil War intact and with its full sovereignty.

## **1926-1935**

Makhnovia after securing its independence and securing peace with the international community began immediate policies of transforming Ukraine from the old feudal capitalist system they had been accustomed to, to an anarchist nationalized state. A mere 2 weeks after peace was brought to the country, Nestor in Kiev announced a man wide hunt for “enemies against the workers”. This sparked widespread violence across Ukraine, as suspected “enemies” were mass arrested. In total over 20,000 people were incarcerated. Efforts for mass industrialization also took place. But these efforts were rather slow, due to the decentralized nature of Anarchism, instead of Jacalism, which advocates for mass industrialization quite quickly. Instead, mass efforts were made to encourage urban growth in the cities, and this also resulted in a decrease of Ukraine’s agriculture. Due to this, trade between Germany and Ukraine heavily increased throughout the 1920s. In the following 6 months since the anarchists established themselves in Ukraine, several decrees were made, seizing privatized businesses, assets and industries alike.

But by the 1930s, Makhnovia was able to settle down. Taking inspiration from Germany many elites and the rich were stripped of their wealth before they could leave. This helped in aiding reconstruction from the civil war and anyone suspected of treason was forced into exile, mainly in Poland. In 1932, due to the increasing issue of women’s suffrage, in Sevastopol, the current government through unions and communes began voting for the bill. With 53% voting in favor, in December of 1932, universal suffrage was passed and granted to both men and women. Coastal cities throughout the years also received funding for their industrial potential, but also due to the ever expanding yet small Ukrainian navy.

Industrial wise however Ukraine was still agrarian which clashed with its Leftist ideology. Many unions and self governing communes had actively forced their farmers into more industrialized regions of the country which resulted in dozens of cities experiencing growth as the rural Ukrainian community began to decline. Cities like Sevastopol especially began to prosper with thousands of people arriving within the city.

Since Makhnovia was very decentralized policies differed. Despite the anti-hierarchical principles of Anarchism, Makhnovia’s government technically operated on a form of an hierarchy but it was loosely based and mostly took inspiration from Syndicalist governments. Money and currency as a whole became outdated. Similarly to Argentina, overtime money became insignificant until it was completely abolished in 1932.

## **Overall Society**

Makhnovia is a decentralized, anarchistic society with no federal elections. Composed of dozens of autonomous communes, Makhnovia is the most decentralized state in the world.

Makhnovia has a relatively small but growing military. Their army is still comprised of militias, and in 1933 their army was just getting up-to-date infantry equipment.