Ukrainian National Revolution as a factor in the development of the law of Ukraine-Rus in the XVII century

Abstract

The paper examines the impact of signifi cant historical events associated with the Ukrainian National Revolution of the 17th century to changes in the legal sphere, which were the origins of legal norms that have a long-term eff ect. In Ukraine, the jump in interest in the history of socio-cultural and state-legal institutions in our country and on the European continent is largely due to the events of the late XX –early XXI century, formation of Ukraine as an independent state. The problem became even more relevant in connection with the events in Ukraine in 2013-2014, as well as the temporary loss of Crimea and the occupation of some eastern territories, the desire to rewrite the history of development and achievements of our country. In the history of Ukraine and many other European countries highlights the events of the midseventeenth century in terms of their then signifi cance and long-term impact on the development of social and legal institutions in the future: the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which was the source of modern international law; The English Revolution led by O. Cromwell; Ukrainian National Revolution led by B. Khmelnytsky. The aim of the paper is to study the impact of signifi cant historical events related to the B. Khmelnytsky Revolution on changes in the legal sphere, which were a source of legal norms that had long-term eff ect, as well as to compare the consequences of large-scale historical events in Ukraine and Europe to the development of the legal doctrine of the New Time. At the beginning of the XVII century in the Ukrainian-Russian lands there was a situation that can be called “revolutionary”. Legal sources related to the rule of Polish magnates, the Polish nobility and the Catholic Church in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth ceased to exist. “Cossack law” became widespread, which meant the system of customary law, which was formed in the Zaporozhian Sich and was integrated into public relations during the Ukrainian National Revolution. Zaporozhian customary law was perceived not only as local, but also as purely national. Deep religiosity was one of the hallmarks of the Cossacks, and the protection of the Orthodox faith of ancestors and the church was the basis of their lives. The National Revolution in Ukraine in 1648–1676 was related to large-scale sociopolitica movements in a number of Central and Western European countries. Its signifi cance lay in the restoration of state life, the formation of the Ukrainian state idea, and the development of national consciousness. As a result of the turbulent events of the Ukrainian National Revolution, the development of legal institutions took a diff erent path than the development of legal institutions in European countries associated with the end of the Thirty Years’ War and the adoption of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. Unlike the transformations in European countries, the events in Ukraine have not become a direct source in the legal sphere; in this regard there are not yet suffi cient conditions for signifi cant changes. Considering the further historical development of Ukraine, these events were only a necessary impetus for such changes in the future. Key words: Ukrainian National Revolution, necessary and suffi cient conditions for changes in the legal sphere, the origins of law.