☰ Contents · History of Uzbekistan

On the threshold of independence

Lessons 28 · 1 lessons · Q. Rajabov, A. Zamonov. History of Uzbekistan (1917–1991): textbook for Grade 10 of secondary schools and for students of secondary specialised and vocational institutions. 1st edition. G‘afur G‘ulom Publishing-Printing Creative House, Tashkent, 2017
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Uzbekistan on the threshold of independence

Textbook: pp. 135–140
GoalDescribe the political changes of 1989–1991, the dissolution of the USSR and the declaration of Uzbekistan’s independence, with dates.
New words
Declaration of Independence (Sovereignty) · Mustaqillik Deklaratsiyasireferendum: a nationwide vote · referendumthe State Committee on the State of Emergency, Aug 1991 · GKChPpresidential system of government · prezidentlik boshqaruvi
Explanation

On 23 June 1989 Islom Karimov was elected first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Uzbekistan. The “Birlik” (Unity) movement (leader Abdurahim Po‘latov) was founded in November 1988 and the “Erk” (Freedom) democratic party, led by Muhammad Solih, on 30 April 1990; according to the textbook, their leaders later opposed government policy and from 1992 they ceased activity in Uzbekistan. On 24 March 1990 the Supreme Soviet established the post of president and Islom Karimov was elected President of the Uzbek SSR, and on 20 June 1990 the Declaration of Independence (Sovereignty) was adopted. A USSR-wide referendum took place on 17 March 1991, and on 23 April at Novo-Ogaryovo Gorbachev and the leaders of nine republics adopted the “9+1” joint statement. The GKChP coup of 19–21 August 1991 soon collapsed; the CPSU suspended its activity on 29 August. On 31 August 1991 the Supreme Council adopted the 17-article law “On the Foundations of the State Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan” and proclaimed 1 September Independence Day; the USSR was dissolved on 25 December, and on 29 December a referendum on independence and a presidential election were held.

Worked examples
Example (calculation): the GKChP events lasted from 19 to 21 August, that is 21 − 19 + 1 = 3 days.
Example (assessment): the textbook calls independence the “fulfilment of a century-old dream”; a historian separately records this assessment and the dates and documents of events.
Class activity

Timeline: write 10 dates of 1989–1991 in order with one sentence of explanation each.

Practice
1
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
2
When was the law on the foundations of state independence adopted?
3
The GKChP events were on 19–21 August. How many days (counting both)?
4
Why is it right to explain the declaration of independence by a series of documents and events rather than one date?