LEGION UKRAIŃSKI (1914-1918): DZIAŁALNOŚĆ POLITYCZNOMILITARNA (CZĘŚĆ 2)

Abstract

In the second part of the study devoted to the analysis of political-military activities of Ukrainian Legion during WWI the reasons and prerequisites for the formation Ukrainian Legion as part of Aster-Hungarian army is analyzed. Special attention is paid to the struggle of Ukrainian Sich Riflemen for implementing the Ukrainian national idea in 1914 – 1915. It is substantiated that contemporary Galician-Ukrainian society and its political leadership in most cases were not prepared to carry out military and political functions. It is proved that the Ukrainian Legion formed the main features of the ideology of riflemen – the state independence, united state, relying on the strength of its people. The activities of Ukrainian Sich Riflemen analyzed in this part of the study reveals that during the WWI Ukrainians embraced the liberation idea not only as a slogan, but as a real action aimed at building the Ukrainian state.