THE ACTIVITY OF I.N. GUSZALEWICZ IN THE IMPERIAL COUNCIL (1867-1870)

Abstract

The activities of the Galician poet Ivan Nikolaevich Guszalewicz as the Deputy with Russophile convictions in the Austrian Parliament at the initial period of the dual monarchy are considered. His interpellation, petition, speech, in the period from 1867 to 1870 are considered. A characteristic of the role of Guszalewicz in decision-making on various aspects of the Ruthenian issue - in particular, the expansion of school education in the Ruthenian language and the subsidies of the Greek Catholic clergy to which he belonged are viewed. To study the peculiarities of the Ruthenian question in the initial period of the existence of Austria-Hungary the minutes of the meetings of the Austrian Parliament of the second convocation for the period from 20 May 1867 to 21 May 1870 are analyzed. A special role is given to the Polish-Ruthenian opposition expressed in the parliamentary debates. In addition, within this period there were analyzed the petitions and interpellations of the Polish deputies regarding the autonomy of Galicia without regard to the interests of the Ruthenian-Ukrainian population. On the basis of the studied material the conclusion about the lack of support of the initiatives of Guszalewicz from other Galician delegates to the Imperial Council is made.