The proclamation of independence and the Constitution
Lessons 1 · 1 lessons · N. Jo‘rayev, A. Zamonov. History of Uzbekistan (the period of independence): textbook for Grade 11 pupils of secondary schools and for secondary specialised and vocational institutions. 1st edition. G‘afur G‘ulom Publishing and Printing Creative House, Tashkent, 2018
1
How Uzbekistan gained independence
Textbook: pp. 5–10
GoalExplain how the events of 1990–1991 led to Uzbekistan’s independence and in what order the Constitution and state symbols were adopted.
New words
sovereignty: a state’s supreme authority over its territory and affairs · suverenitetdeclaration: a formal statement of principles or intentions · deklaratsiyacoup: an attempt to seize power outside the lawful procedure · davlat to‘ntarishiSupreme Council, the republic’s legislature before 1995 · Oliy Kengash
Explanation
On 20 June 1990 the Supreme Council of the Uzbek SSR adopted the Declaration of Independence (Mustaqillik Deklaratsiyasi), which mentioned every nation’s right to decide its own fate. On 19–21 August 1991 the State Committee for the State of Emergency (GKChP) tried to seize power in Moscow, and this attempt sped up the Soviet republics’ moves towards independence. On 21 August the republic’s leadership declared that GKChP documents had no force in Uzbekistan, and a decree of 25 August placed the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Security Committee under the republic’s authority. On 31 August 1991 an extraordinary session of the Supreme Council proclaimed state independence and adopted the law “On the Foundations of State Independence”; 1 September was named Independence Day. In a nationwide referendum on 29 December 1991 more than 98 percent of those who voted supported independence; the first presidential election was held on the same day. Work on a new Constitution began in 1990, and after the draft went through a nationwide discussion it was adopted on 8 December 1992.
Worked examples
Example: the sequence of events in 1991 — 19–21 August (GKChP attempt), 25 August (decree transferring security bodies), 31 August (declaration of independence), 1 September (holiday date).
Example: the state symbols were adopted by separate laws: the flag on 18 November 1991, the emblem on 2 July 1992, the anthem on 10 December 1992 (words by Abdulla Oripov, music by Mutal Burhonov).
Class activity
Chain game: the class writes ten events from June 1990 to December 1992 on cards; groups put them in chronological order and explain the link between each pair in one sentence.
Practice
1
When and by which body was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
On 20 June 1990, at a session of the Supreme Council of the Uzbek SSR.
2
Why do you think independence was declared on 31 August 1991? Answer using the sequence of events.
The GKChP attempt showed the instability of the central authority; on 21 and 25 August the republic secured its legal and security footing, after which the Supreme Council could take a lawful decision.
3
How did the first and second versions of the draft Constitution differ, and how was the final text adopted?
The first version (1991) had 158 articles and the second (spring 1992) 149; the draft went through a nationwide discussion in the press (more than 6,000 proposals), and on 8 December 1992 the Supreme Council session adopted a 128-article text with the deputies’ amendments.
4
How many articles, sections and chapters did the 1992 Constitution have?