Under Lenin’s leadership up until the formation of the USSR, the bolsheviks took a very tactical and empathetic approach to the nationality question. They made the necessary changes to accommodate the Ukrainian peasantry who had prior been supportive primarily of the Ukrainian nationalists. The bolsheviks gave enough support to Ukrainian subjects to be an attractive movement for them to gain popularity yet shut down the notions of Ukrainian independence when appropriate. Lenin didn’t want any nationalism to dominate or overshadow the main goal of the bolsheviks and instead wanted equal soviet republics. The USSR officially formed on Dec 30 1922, Stalin couldn’t be at celebration because of stroke 8 days Prior
