The development of student societies in Eastern Galicia from the second half of the XIX century to the first half of the ХХ century in the historical and legal context

Abstract

The article raises the question of the historical and legal analysis of the development of Ukrainian societies and unions, which are outlined by the concept of «unification» of Eastern Galicia in the second half of the 19th - the first half of the 20th centuries. This study is highlighted through the prism of founding documents, through which you can see the structure of these associations, based on the legal basis and specifics of their activities. The main tasks of the student societies of that time are highlighted: to maintain the reading room and library on their own; to hold literary and scientific events; to organize literary, scientific and theatrical gatherings; to help its members financially. Every valid member of the Society was obliged to pay membership fees. Although Ukrainian student associations were founded outside Galicia, for example in Vienna, they spread their activities to Eastern Galicia, trying to create a number of branches in the western Ukrainian lands and being guided in their activities by official documents issued by the Austrian authorities. And indeed, «conceived as a purely student society, the Viennese Sich actually became the first statutory organization of Galician narodivites. Student youth also played an important role in the creation of the «Prosvita» society. However, this organization did not become the main focus of the student movement. Already in 1860-1870, students focused their main efforts on the formation of a new center for their scientific and social life. As a result, two Ukrainian student societies appeared in 1871: «Academic Circle» and «Friendly Moneylender». The life of the Ukrainian student societies of the Lviv Polytechnic was much calmer, because there was a much more liberal atmosphere. For political conflicts on ethnic grounds, there was a lack of a fertile environment, which was provided by the social sciences at the university. In addition, Lviv doctors participated in the education of the rural population. The special commission of the Medical Society together with Prosvita organized popular medical lectures in the villages. Together with the director of Narodna Lichnitsa, Dr. Yevhen Ozarkevich, and the Lviv branch of Prosvita, Ukrainian medical students organized medical educational activities.