UKRAINIAN-ROMANIAN RELATIONS IN BUKOVYNA (THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19th – THE BEGINNING OF THE 20th CENTURY): STAGES, KEY PROBLEMS, SEARCHES OF A COMPROMISE

Abstract

The purpose is to study the dynamics of the Ukrainian-Romanian relations in Bukovyna during the second half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, to identify the most important issues around which competitive struggle took place, and to summarize the state of relations between the two peoples on the eve of World War I. The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism, objectivity, and the use of historical and genetic, historical and problematic methods. The authors were guided by methodological approaches related to the study of interethnic relations in Central Europe in the second half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries, and the processes of modern nations formation in this region. In particular, the Ukrainian-Romanian relations have been studied through the prism of theoretical constructs related to the history of multinational regions of Austria-Hungary, the peculiarities of the ethnopolitical situation in Bukovyna during the period under analysis. Scientific Novelty. For the first time in Ukrainian historiography, a number of relations aspects between the Ukrainians and the Romanians in Bukovyna during the period under analysis have been analyzed comprehensively. Conclusions. The Ukrainian-Romanian relations in Bukovyna went through several stages in the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. At the beginning, there was a significant advantage of the Romanians due to the presence of such an influential force as large landowners. The first period from the middle of the century to the end of the 80s was marked by the absence of Ukrainian deputies in the Bukovyna Sejm and the Austrian parliament, and isolated attempts by the Ukrainians to defend their interests. The second period covers the period from the 90s of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. At that time, the Ukrainians were able to elect nationally conscious deputies to the Bukovyna Sejm. The main struggle was transferred to the walls of the highest representative body of the region. However, at this time a split occurred among the Ukrainian deputies, which significantly weakened the ability to defend national interests. The third period covers the time from 1902 – 1903 to the beginning of World War I. At this stage, the Ukrainian-Romanian relations mostly concerned the issues of reforming social relations in the region, changing the electoral law for the Sejm and rural communities, establishing parity in the Orthodox Church, etc. The activity and organization of the Ukrainians increased significantly, which contributed to the strengthening of their positions in the Ukrainian-Romanian rivalry. On the eve of World War I, parity was achieved in influence over most decisions concerning public issues. Although in some cases the disputes became quite acute, both peoples had a desire to resolve interethnic problems by using constitutional methods, discussions in the Bukovyna Sejm, in the columns of newspapers, or by appealing to various levels of government or judicial institutions. This distinguished Bukovyna from some other crown lands of Austria-Hungary, where interethnic relations went beyond legal actions. Not all problems in the Ukrainian-Romanian relations were resolved properly, but progress was obvious, valuable experience was accumulated in approaches to resolving interethnic problems within the framework of existing legislation, which has not lost its significance even today.

Key words: Bukovyna, Austrian Empire, Austria-Hungary, Ukrainian-Romanian relations, interethnic struggle, A. Onciul, M. Vasylko.