Relationships of the Romanian population of Bukovina with representatives of the authorities during World War I

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The purpose of the study is to analyze the relationships of the Romanian popula- tion of Bukovyna with the Austrian and Russian authorities during World War I. Th e method- ology of the study is based on the principles of historicism, objectivity, systematic approach and the use of methods of analysis and synthesis, as well as problematic and chronological, historical and typological, historical and systematic ones. Th e scientifi c novelty is defi ned by the fact that the situation of the Romanian population of Bukovyna during World War I and the measures taken by the Austrian and Russian authorities to control the population have been comprehen- sively analyzed for the fi rst time in Ukrainian historiography. Bukovyna became a part of the combat zone from the beginning of the Great war, and its population was forced to face a new attitude of the Austrian authorities, who considered it necessary to eliminate any manifestations of Russophilia, both among Ukrainians and Romanians. Since the Russian authorities intended to achieve the appropriate attitude towards the Romanian population of Bukovyna in order of Romania entering the war, the Austrian authorities made some steps to restrict the freedom of teachers and priests as mentors of the peasants. Despite the belief in the existence of irredenta among the Romanians, the Austrian authorities tried to attract Romanians to participate in volunteer armed forces during defensive battles in Bukovyna. Accusations of treason oft en resulted in the dismissal of the accused, but such cases occurred mainly at the end of the war and oft en concerned representatives of the upper world, as was the case with Yanku Flondor. The imbalance of the Austrian authorities’ attitude towards the Romanians caused some animosity towards them among the latter. Conclusion. The Romanian population of Bukovyna became the element by infl uencing which the Russian occupation authorities intended to trigger the break-up of Austria-Hungary during World War I. The loyalty of the Russian authorities to the Romanian population should have helped to convince the country’s authorities of the need to join the Entente countries. However, the authorities had not always been able to fi nd the right solutions to social issues, which had kept the latter ones in the background. Aft er all, the Russian authorities failed to avoid the pogroms of Romanian farms, which did not prevent the Russian side from Romania entering the war on the Entente side.