Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Abstract

• This thesis evaluates European political debates about the classification of the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933, also known as Holodomor, as a genocide. Holodomor is not a prototypical genocide––that is, it is not categorized by specific genocidal intent and direct, systematic killing. If it were to be recognized as a genocide, the famine would be considered non-prototypical, because Ukrainains who died in its course were killed indirectly through starvation. Two key issues in the Holodomor genocide debate are a) whether Holodomor was brought about by knowledge-based genocidal intent and b) the political motives of recognition. My guiding research question is: How do European political interests influence the decision-making process about whether or not to recognize  non-prototypical genocides such as the Holodomor?

  I examine official government statements related to Holodomor recognition to evaluate this question. In these documents, I found inconsistent legal arguments for recognition but explicit linkage of recognition with pro-Ukrainian and anti-Russian policies. These policies specifically legitimized national identity and condemned the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. I use tests of independence to reveal a correlation between NATO interest and Holodomor recognition among former Warsaw Pact members and increased financial aid for Ukraine. I also reject the correlation of Holodomor and bilateral financial aid to Ukraine by EU members.

  This thesis concludes that international political interest is a primary determining factor for whether or not a sovereign, European state will recognize Holodomor as a genocide. This research does not necessarily uphold or deny Holodomor’s genocide classification, but rather recognizes the key role of politics in the Holodomor genocide debate.

Creator

• Thomas, Hayley

Date Awarded

• 2024-03-18

Academic Affiliation

• International Affairs

Advisor

• Osipova, Anastasiya

Committee Member

• Wyrod, Robert
• Hutchinson, Erin

Granting Institution

• University of Colorado Boulder

Subject

• International relations
• Russia
• Ukraine
• Genocide
• Ukrainian Famine
• Holodomor

Last Modified

• 2024-04-08

Location

• University of Colorado at Boulder

Resource Type

• Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Rights Statement

• In Copyright

Language

• English [eng]

Citation

• Thomas, Hayley. "Recognizing the Ukrainian Famine: Politicization of the Term Genocide in the Case of Holodomor." Undergraduate Honors thesis, University of Colorado, 2024.

Relationships

In Collection:

• Arts and Sciences Honors Program

Items

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Visibility	Actions
	Recognizing_the_Ukrainian_Famine_-_Politicization_of_the_Term_Genocide_in_the_Case_of_Holodomor.pdf	2024-03-22	Public	Download