Повсякденне життя вищої школи Києва у роки Першої світової війни: зміни в кадровій політиці та матеріальному становищі студентів і викладачів

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to continue the reconstruction of the impact of the First World War on higher education in Kyiv, using the example of St. Volodymyr University and the Kyiv Commercial Institute as the representatives of the city’s largest public and private universities. At the same time, transformations in higher education are defi ned as the fi rst indi- cator of the changes brought about by the war in the life of society. Th is intelligence specifi cally examines the new trends caused by the First World War in the state’s policy regarding higher school teachers and students, as well as the economic impact of the war on these micro-social groups. Th e research methodology is based on general and special scientifi c methods, namely: structural-systemic, the methods of analysis and synthesis, comparative-historical, problem- chronological, historical-typological, etc. Th e scientifi c novelty lies in the deepening of the study of the epochal event that initiated the latest period of history, and which is investigated here at the micro-level (which is the most productive direction of historical science) and based on previously unknown archival documents. Conclusions. It is identifi ed that the authorities of the Russian Empire increased their control over higher education at the beginning of the First World War. It manifested itself in the policy of promoting admission to higher education for persons who participated in hostilities or members of their families, as well as immigrants from the al- lied states. Instead, subjects of the enemy bloc were subject to immediate release, which was an element of the espionage policy. An anti-Semitic campaign was also launched, which was an at- tempt by the authorities to shift responsibility from themselves to the Jewish community. At the same time, the deterioration of the material standard of living of the teaching staff and especially the students was increasing, as the authorities did not care about the proper fi nancial support of the higher education institution. Th is became an important determinant of the growth of anti- government sentiments. In general, the imperial government completely neglected its subjects’ interests and basic needs, which led to its loss of support and brought its collapse closer.