1991 Crimean sovereignty referendum


A referendum on sovereignty was held in the Crimean Oblast of the Ukrainian SSR on 20 January 1991 two months before the 1991 All-Union referendum. Voters were asked whether they wanted to re-establish the Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, which had been abolished in 1945. The proposal was approved by 94% of voters.

Background

The Crimean ASSR was originally created in 1921, as part of the Russian SFSR in the Soviet Union. Crimea was invaded by Nazi Germany during World War II, and when the region was reclaimed by the USSR in 1944, the Crimean Tatars, Armenians, Bulgarians and Greeks were deported to Central Asia under the pretext of alleged collaboration with the German occupiers. The ASSR was abolished and Crimea became an oblast. On 5 February 1954 it was transferred to the Ukrainian SSR.
The key difference between being an Oblast and an Autonomous Republic that suggested the referendum lies in republics being parties of New Union Treaty and according to could decide on their own whether to remain within the leaving Soviet Republic or remain in the USSR.

Results

Aftermath

Following the referendum, the Supreme Soviet of the Ukrainian SSR passed the law .