Соціальний вплив духівництва на життя русинського населення Америки на шпальтах часопису «Свобода» кінця ХІХ – початку ХХ ст.

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to analyze the impact of Catholic clergy on the social life of the Ruthenium population in America by examining the publications of the Ukrainian journal of the 19th – early 20th centuries. Research methodology: principles of systematic scientific history, use of scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, generalization and comparison. Scientific Novelty and Originality: Through a Detailed Analysis of the Publications of the Ukrainian Freedom Magazine in America in the Nineteenth – Early Twentieth Century’s. The author defined the exceptional role of the Catholic clergy in shaping the social values of the Ruthenium people in emigration USА and Canada. Outline of research materials. The most important factor in the social life of Ukrainians in exile was the Ukrainian-language press. The Catholic clergy sought to control the social life of «Ukrainian Americans» in order to preserve national traditions, language, promote enlightenment, organize social assistance for Ukrainians, and highlight the most important problems of immigrants. Authors and contributors to Svoboda called for other peoples (Poles, Czechs, Romanians) to set up grassroots organizations to support entrepreneurship, schooling and education, developing national spirituality and language. Much attention was paid to the participation of the Ruthenian people in political life, the establishment of clubs and cultural centers. The main achievement of the «freedmen» was the creation of a single socio-political emigrant center – the Russian People's Union. The clergy fought to preserve the linguistic identity of Ukrainians. The authors have constantly addressed the issue of language denationalization, especially Russification of the population. In addition to education, the authors of the journal paid great attention to the analysis of the epidemiological situation, the spread of hunger, methods of combating smallpox, cholera, influenza. Conclusions: The Catholic clergy became an important and almost sole factor in the socio-political life of Ukrainians abroad in the process of national revival and the struggle for national unity and identity.