The ukrainian elite of Western Volhynia (1921 - 1939): sources of the research problem

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to analyze and summarize certain archival and published sources, which contain information on the activities of the Ukrainian elite of Western Volhynia in the interwar period of the XX century. The research methodology is based on regionalist approaches to studying the problem. In the course of the study, general scientific methods were used. First of all, the method of actual data collecting (accumulation of facts) and the method of actual data compiling (analysis) were applied. Also, special methods (biographical, prosopographical, source study analysis) were used to characterize the activities of the Volhynian elite. During the study, a critical method was used, the value of which is a demanding approach to any information until it passes through the research verification. This method has been used most expediently during memoirs handling. The «text era» method is also important. The research novelty is based on outlining the available sources on the history of the Ukrainian Volhynian elite. It is also extended the methodological capabilities understanding of the biographical method in the research of the elite on the source materials basis. An analysis of the saved data about the Volhynian elite has been carried out, since the available sources are not a comprehensive list of possible ones, and further unknown data may be opened at further study. Conclusions. During 1921 – 1939 the Ukrainian elite of Western Volhynia played a significant role in the history of the region. The materials of the Polish authorities, party documents and the Ukrainian parliamentary representation in Volyn, as well as personal founds of public and political figures have the primary importance for the study of the Ukrainian elite activities of the interwar period in Poland. The source base is also compiled by a few contemporary memoirs of the events under study. The source study analysis of the research problem confirms that the information base of the research is rather extensive and varied. The representativeness and degree of reliability of materials are determined. A comprehensive and impartial approach to the whole set of documents enables to carry out a research analysis of ethno cultural transformation and socio political dimension among the Ukrainian elite of Western Volhynia in the interwar period of the XX century. The wide source base contributes to the deepening and coverage of various aspects of the ethnic population life of the region and the Ukrainian elite in the force field of the existing Polish government, which embodied the policy of assimilation in the Volyn lands. The comprehensive analysis of archival documents allows us to elaborate on a number of issues that are still not fully considered in Ukrainian historiography.