THE ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SICH RIFLEMEN IN THE UKRAINIAN STATE FORMATION OF THE END OF THE 19TH - BEGINNING OF THE XX CENTURY

Abstract

The article examines the role and significance of the «Sich» riflemen in the Ukrainian state formation of the late 19th – early 20th centuries. It is noted that the «Sich» organization emerged against the background of the national movement in Austria-Hungary in the late 19th – early 20th centuries as a sports and fire organization at the initial stage, over time it turned into an influential military and patriotic structure that played an important role in the formation of Ukrainian statehood. The key role of K. Trylovsky in the process of founding and creating organizational principles for the functioning of the «Sich» movement is emphasized. It is emphasized that the first attempts to create the «Sich» took place at the end of the 19th century, and the organization’s statutory documents were approved on March 8, 1900, which became the basis for the further legalization of the «Sich» movement in Ukrainian lands. It is noted that at first the main goal of the society’s activities was to involve the population in firefighting training, gymnastics and cultural and educational projects, and members of the society could be individuals, regardless of gender, which was marked by an innovative approach in the activities of organizations of that time. The statutory tasks of the society are characterized, defining the fundamental idea of the equality of all people, which excluded any forms of discrimination. The idea of «sobornosty», which emphasized the national and spiritual unity of the entire Ukrainian people, is also emphasized. It is noted that the «Sich» movement gradually developed and established itself among Ukrainians thanks to the principles of democracy, equality and respect for human dignity. These principles were close in spirit to the population, which prompted them to join the «Sich». The transformation processes of the transformation of the «Sich» idea into the rifle one are reflected, with the definition of the factors that influenced them. This is primarily about the specifics of socio-political processes in the Western Ukrainian lands of this period and the inability to resolve the issue of Ukrainian self-determination only by peaceful, parliamentary means. In view of this, it is argued that the development of the «Sich» idea became the basis for the formation of the Ukrainian military-type organization «Ukrainian Sich Riflemen», the constituent assembly of which was held on March 18, 1913. It is noted that in the following years the Ukrainian «Sich» Riflemen actively participated in military operations as part of the Austrian army, became the basis for the creation of the Ukrainian Galician Army, and took an active part in the national liberation struggles of 1917-1921.