Leonid Kravchuk vs Okubo Toshimichi

Kravchuk was elected Chairman of the Ukrainian Supreme Soviet, effectively becoming the head of state of the Ukrainian SSR. He played a key role in the declaration of Ukrainian sovereignty.

Kravchuk, along with Boris Yeltsin and Stanislav Shushkevich, signed the Belavezha Accords, declaring the Soviet Union dissolved and establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States. This effectively ended the USSR.

Kravchuk won the first direct presidential election in Ukraine with 61.6% of the vote. He led Ukraine through its early years of independence, focusing on state-building and international recognition.

Kravchuk lost the presidential election to Leonid Kuchma, largely due to economic crisis and dissatisfaction with his leadership. He conceded peacefully, setting a precedent for democratic transition in Ukraine.

As Finance Minister, Okubo oversaw the Land Tax Reform of 1873, which replaced the feudal land tax with a modern monetary tax system. This reform stabilized government finances and facilitated the transition to a capitalist economy.

Okubo created the Home Ministry (Naimusho) to centralize administrative control over local governments. The ministry oversaw police, public works, and local administration, strengthening the central government's authority.

Okubo argued against the proposal to invade Korea (Seikanron), advocating instead for domestic reforms. His opposition prevailed, leading to the resignation of Saigo Takamori and other expansionists, and solidifying the Meiji government's focus on internal modernization.

Okubo, as a key leader of the Meiji government, directed the suppression of the Satsuma Rebellion led by Saigo Takamori. The government's victory ended the last major samurai uprising and consolidated imperial rule.

Okubo was assassinated by samurai from the Satsuma domain who opposed his policies of centralization and Westernization. His death removed a key figure from the Meiji government, but his reforms continued.