GENERAL SECRETARIAT (MINISTRY) FOR POLISH AFFAIRS OF UKRAINIAN PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC AT THE TIME OF THE CENTRAL RADA: FORMATION STAGES AND STRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Purpose of the Research. However, there is still no separate article that would comprehensively cover the process of structural formation of the Polish minority office as a central executive body. Therefore, the purpose of the article is to study the structure formation and development process of the General Secretariat (Ministry) for Polish affairs of the UPR. The research methodology is based on the principles of scientific knowledge, objectivity, historicism and general scientific (analysis, synthesis, comparison) and special-historical methods (comparative-historical, historical-systemic). The Research Novelty. For the first time, the process of structural formation of the Polish minority office as the central executive body was systematized, and the stages of this process were determined. The Conclusions. The General Secretariat (Ministry) for Polish affairs of the Ukrainian People’s Republic (the UPR) went from a structural unit within the General Secretariat of Interethnic (Foreign) Affairs to a separate central body of an executive power. The establishment formation was closely interrelated with the development process of Ukrainian statehood on the path to independence. This made it possible to single out two periods in the establishment formation, to determine their chronological framework, and also to identify two stages of this institution organizational development during the second period. The structure of the general secretariat (ministry) for Polish affairs of the Ukrainian People’s Republic reflected the activities that were most relevant to the ethnic Poles, who lived in Ukraine. The most successful was the work of the establishment in support of Polish school education. At the same time, some tasks, such as the creation of the national unions for the implementation of the national personal autonomy principles, could not be implemented. The general secretariat (ministry) for Polish affairs of the UPR was able to act effectively thanks largely to its leader, M. Mickiewicz, and the well-chosen staff.