DOI: 10.20535/2307-5244.50.2020.210122
Lesya Ukrainka Eastern European National University
Vinnytsia Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University
National University of Water and Environmental Engineering
The
article explores the main
directions of the activity
of the Volyn Black Hundreds in Galicia at the initial stage of the First World
War; it characterizes a set of measures conducted in the context of
government policy and aimed at strengthening the positions of the Orthodox Church
and weakening the influence of the Greek Catholic. On the basis of the
materials of the periodical press, it was analyzed how the negative image of
the opponents of imperial power was created. Despite the set of measures aimed at increasing the
influence of the Russophiles
as witnessed by the events of the near future, they did not receive much
support in Galicia. Considering A. Sheptytsky as one of their enemies, the Black Hundreds conducted a
campaign to discredit him in the eyes of society.
The provision of assistance to the areas affected by warfare and holding of a PR campaign by the Black Hundreds in this regard are highlighted. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the socio-economic situation that developed in Galicia as a result of its occupation by the Russian troops in 1914 — 1915. It was also found that the Black Hundreds on the pages of their press accused the Austrian authorities of all the troubles, without noticing the downside and losses incurred by the region as a cause of the Russian army activities and warfare. As a result of the offensive by the Austrian and German troops in 1915, a part of the population was evacuated from Galicia. This evacuation was shown by the Black-Hundred press as voluntary, although in reality a part of the inhabitants of the region was forcibly removed in accordance with the order of the Governor-General of Galicia.
Keywords: First World War, Greek Catholics, Orthodox, Black Hundreds, Galicia.
