“There will come a time when you decide that everything is over. This will be the beginning.” These words of Louis Lamoureux, an American writer, resonate with surprising simplicity and depth. They contain a truth that we have repeatedly observed in the history of mankind. It often resembles not a straight line leading to progress, but rather a spiral, where events seem to repeat themselves, but on a new level. Every time it seems that everything is over, a new round begins. This regularity is clearly visible in key historical events that left a deep mark on the development of world society.
Let’s imagine history as a spiral, a model that allows us to see the development of civilizations, ideas, and even personal lives not as a linear progression, but as a series of repetitions that at the same time reflect a new level of complexity. Like the DNA spiral, which stores information about life, the historical spiral contains the lessons and achievements of the past, which we, although not always, try to understand and adapt to new conditions. However, some societies are able to make a leap forward, while others sink into impasse. Can we, looking back, predict what lies ahead? Let’s look at examples to understand why history tends to repeat itself and what lessons we can learn from it.
Turning points: points of entry into a new historical spiral
The fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 was one of the most famous disasters in human history. The empire, once the most powerful in the world, fell due to a combination of internal corruption, economic attrition, social inequality, and external pressure. This became a lesson that was repeated many times in history. A similar situation happened at the end of the 20th century with the Soviet Union. Internal economic problems, popular discontent, corruption, and an arms race weakened the USSR, eventually leading to its collapse in 1991. Both cases show that great powers die not only from external threats, but also from internal weakness.
On November 21, 1764, the hetmanship in Ukraine was abolished. This historical episode symbolizes the loss of autonomy and the strengthening of imperial control by Russia. Hetmanship, as a form of self-government, existed for centuries, developing a unique political culture. The last hetman Kyrylo Razumovsky tried to preserve at least the remnants of independence, but the imperial ambitions of Catherine II turned out to be stronger. The hetman system was replaced by the Little Russian College, dominated by representatives of the empire, and it became an instrument of centralized control. The liquidation of Zaporizhzhya Sich in 1775 was the final chord in the process of full integration of these lands into the Russian Empire.
This event was not only a tragedy for the local elite, but also a lesson for future generations. She demonstrated how it is easy to lose independence and self-reliance when the unity of the people is lost, and internal conflicts become the cause of weakness. Almost two centuries later, these ideas gained relevance again during Ukraine’s struggle for independence in the 20th century. The events of 1764 were like a mirror that showed the future: without realizing the lessons of the past, it is impossible to build a strong state.
The French Revolution of 1789 became a vivid example of how a people tired of tyranny can change the political system. The struggle for freedom, equality and fraternity caused a wave of revolutions in Europe and the world. Half a century later, the European Spring of Peoples in 1848, which covered more than 50 countries, became a kind of “second turn” of this revolutionary impulse. People fought for the same ideas as in France – democratization, rights of national minorities, improvement of working conditions. Both examples demonstrate that ideas of change cannot be destroyed—they only evolve, adapting to new conditions.
Another event, which also took place on November 21, but already in 1831, shed light on social inequality and the struggle for decent living conditions. In the morning of that day, a rebellion of silk weavers began in Lyon. The workers, who worked 15-16 hours a day for meager wages, reached the point of desperation when the factory owners reduced wages even further. The slogan of the uprising became the words that sounded like the cry of the soul: “Live working or die fighting!” It was the first purely proletarian insurrection in history, where the workers openly opposed the system that deprived them of the right to a dignified life.
The uprising in Lyon lasted only three days, but its consequences were significant. The government reacted quickly and harshly: arrests were made, the city was taken under the control of the troops. However, the event itself left an unforgettable mark on the public consciousness. She showed that without compromises and fair treatment of work, tension between social classes will inevitably grow. This history lesson became the foundation for the development of the labor movement in Europe and forced the authorities to take into account the interests of the workers, even if not immediately.
The Great Depression of 1929 became a symbol of the collapse of the world economy. Overheated financial markets, unregulated capitalism and speculation led to a global recession that left millions without jobs or livelihoods. After 80 years, the world faced a similar crisis again in 2008. The reasons were similar: an overheated real estate market, financial speculation and unregulated credit mechanisms. Both cases proved that if the lessons of the past are ignored, history tends to repeat itself. However, financial regulation has tightened since 2008, indicating some progress in learning lessons.
The religious wars in Europe of the 16th and 17th centuries between Catholics and Protestants, which were one of the bloodiest conflicts of their time, also provide vivid historical lessons. The Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) caused incredible suffering to Europe, led to the ruin of states and the loss of millions of lives. In the 20th century, religious contradictions gave way to ethnic conflicts, as happened during the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. Although the reasons have changed, the essence has remained the same: ignoring the diversity of religious and ideological views, as well as the desire to dominate lead to catastrophic consequences.
Colonial expansion of the XV-XIX centuries, when European countries conquered new territories, establishing their control and exploiting resources, had far-reaching consequences. By the middle of the 20th century, the colonies began to actively fight for independence. India became an example of a successful struggle, gaining independence in 1947. However, the struggle for freedom is not over – decades after gaining formal independence, African countries are still overcoming the economic and social consequences of colonialism. This is another example of how old systems leave their mark on future generations.
The spiral of history is that similar events are repeated in different contexts, but their essence remains unchanged: the struggle for freedom, dignity and justice continues forever. The lessons we can learn from such events are key to avoiding similar crises in the future. The liquidation of the hetmanship in Ukraine reminds us that unity and national identity are the basis of statehood, and the uprising of the Lyon weavers shows that ignoring social justice always leads to conflicts.
Revolutions that changed Ukraine: from hope to reality
The Day of Dignity and Freedom, which is celebrated every year on November 21, is a symbol of the struggle of the Ukrainian people for freedom, democracy and the right to be part of the European community. This holiday reminds of two key revolutions in the recent history of Ukraine — the Orange Revolution of 2004 and the Revolution of Dignity of 2013-2014. They became points of no return for a society that sought to rid itself of old patterns of governance, corruption, and external pressure, establishing itself as a nation with its own voice. However, behind every celebration there are both triumphs and lessons, often painful ones, which are worth analyzing in order to understand what these events led to and what they taught us.
The Orange Revolution, which began on November 21, 2004, was the first major awakening of Ukrainian society in the post-Soviet period. Mass falsifications during the second round of the presidential elections, an attempt to usurp power and subordination of the country to the interests of a narrow group of oligarchs forced hundreds of thousands of people to come to Independence Square. They demanded justice, transparency and respect for citizens’ choices. The victory of the protests, which secured the election of Viktor Yushchenko as president, seemed like a historic breakthrough. But soon it became clear that the problems did not disappear, but were only temporarily postponed. Political instability, internal conflicts among the elites, and the lack of systemic reforms proved to be serious obstacles to building a new Ukraine.
Nine years have passed, and on November 21, 2013, Ukrainians again went to the Maidan. The decision of Viktor Yanukovych’s government to suspend the signing of the Association Agreement with the European Union became the trigger for Euromaidan. This step became a signal for thousands of Ukrainians who took to the streets with the demand to return to the European course. The situation worsened after the brutal dispersal of students on the night of November 30 in Kyiv. This violence on the part of the authorities caused a massive wave of indignation, and the peaceful protests, which initially consisted of rallies and demonstrations, quickly turned into mass strikes, barricades and open resistance. Clashes between protesters and law enforcement officers led to an escalation of the conflict, which eventually turned into the Revolution of Dignity.
However, like any revolution, these events had not only a heroic, but also a tragic dimension. The Revolution of Dignity was accompanied by the death of the “Heavenly Hundred”, repression, and later military aggression by Russia, which in 2014 annexed Crimea and started a war in Donbas. Ukraine faced new challenges, and the struggle for freedom and independence, which began on the Maidan, moved to another level.
10 years after the Revolution of Dignity and almost 20 years after the Orange Revolution, we can talk about the changes Ukraine has undergone. Civil society became stronger, people learned to defend their rights, and the European vector was finally established as the country’s strategic course. The main lesson of these events is that freedom is never easy and requires constant struggle. However, the Orange Revolution gave hope, but did not bring systemic changes. Viktor Yushchenko, elected president after her triumph, became a symbol of real disappointment. The people expected reforms, justice and the fight against corruption, but received weakness, indecision and endless compromises. Instead of cleaning up the system, he allowed the oligarchs and the old elite to retain power. His conflicts with Yulia Tymoshenko turned into a farce that divided society. Yushchenko could neither change the country nor retain the support of the people, which led to Yanukovych’s revenge. His rule was a lesson: softness in times of change is no less dangerous than tyranny.
Ten years ago, when the national anthem was played on the Maidan and voices of protest were heard, it seemed that this was the beginning of an era of real change. The people of Ukraine rose up for the sake of freedom, dignity, and the European future. But did all the expectations with which Ukrainians came to the frosty squares come true? Was it possible to overcome what the Maidan stood against: corruption, arbitrariness, usurpation of power? Looking at today’s results, we see that not everything is so clear-cut.
The Revolution of Dignity ended with the victory of the people, but its fruits still seem bitter to many. Thus, Ukraine defended its European choice and the signing of the Association Agreement was a big step. Ukraine applied to join the European Union on February 28, 2022, days after the full-scale Russian invasion began. On June 17, 2022, the European Commission recommended granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership, and on June 23, the European Council adopted this decision. It would seem like a historic moment, but along with the status, Ukraine also received specific requirements — a list of seven key reforms. Among them are the fight against corruption, the reform of the judicial system, the protection of human rights and the transparency of governance.
Almost a year has passed, and the question of fulfilling these requirements remains rhetorical. The Ukrainian political system, which has been corroded by corruption for decades, does not show sufficient progress. The fight against corruption often remains at the level of show cases, the judicial system is still dependent on political elites, reforms move slowly despite pressure from European partners, and the war that began in 2014 continues in a larger form. The economy, although it has made some progress, still relies on the support of external partners and is constantly dependent on international loans. Social inequality, which was also opposed on the Maidan, only deepened. Earners go abroad en masse, not believing that a decent future awaits them at home.
In 2023, the European Commission assessed progress in implementing reforms, and while Ukraine received positive feedback in some areas, the overall outcome remained mixed. Our country is already at risk of being included in the list of “eternal candidates”, like Turkey, which has had this status for more than 20 years, but has never seriously come close to membership due to unfulfilled reforms. Brussels has repeatedly emphasized that the status of the candidate cannot be revised if Kyiv continues to delay the changes. War provides a certain indulgence for slowness, but it cannot last forever.
The EU is not just a club of friends and partners, but strict rules that must be followed. Ukraine has made commitments, but so far real progress remains limited. The question is not whether Europe wants to see us in its community, but whether Ukraine is ready to meet these standards.
Therefore, the country never became a member of the European Union, but remained in the “hallway of Europe”, trying to satisfy numerous conditions and standards that seem unattainable against the background of internal problems. At the same time, European partners are constantly reminding Ukraine about corruption, the same one against which they started fighting since the Orange Revolution. And it, despite all the reforms, is still deeply rooted in the state apparatus. And the most important thing is war. The Revolution of Dignity became its catalyst – the loss of Crimea, the war in Donbas, and later the full-scale invasion in 2022 began right after it.
However, the biggest negative lesson of revolutions is the loss of trust. The people who stood on the Maidan were tired of waiting for changes. Many of them are now disillusioned, feeling that their struggle has once again been used by politicians for their own interests. Promises about quick reforms, about a new quality of government and justice remained mostly words. The people, who were ready to sacrifice themselves for the sake of freedom, today feel betrayed, because the corrupt remained in power, only by changing their masks.
And yet, despite all the setbacks, there is one thing that has changed forever. Ukrainians are no longer silent. They have already proved twice that they are ready to go to the Maidan for their rights. This is a lesson learned by both enemies and allies of Ukraine. However, the main question remains open: can we finish what we started 20 years ago? Will we build the Ukraine we dreamed of? Time will tell. But now we are facing a reality in which it is not entirely clear that Ukraine has learned the lessons of history.
In conclusion, I would like to remind them again. History teaches us that great powers do not die from external enemies, but because of internal weakness and unprofessional government. Division in society, social inequality and disregard for human rights are what destroy states from within. Without the unity of the people, independence becomes an illusion, and social injustice inevitably provokes a revolutionary explosion. Ignoring the diversity of ideological, linguistic and religious views of the people, as well as the imposition by the government of its ideas, which it considers indisputable, always lead to disasters.
The given examples prove that history never stands still, it really develops in a spiral. Situations that appear to be over arise again in new circumstances, reminding us of the importance of learning the lessons of the past. If they remain unlearned, society risks repeating the mistakes again. However, in each new turn of the historical spiral there is a chance for progress – and this is what gives us hope.
History reminds us that even in moments when it seems that everything is over, a new chapter is actually beginning. Each era, each political upheaval or cultural renaissance is a step in a spiral that may seem new, but at the same time carries with it the shadows of the past. There is something magical about this movement that is both disturbing and hopeful. It depends on us whether this turn will be progressive or destructive. After all, as Louis Lamour said, the end often becomes the beginning. By carefully listening to the lessons of the past, we will be able to shape the future, which will not be a repetition of mistakes, but a new, brighter chapter in the spiral of history.
