Changes in the ethnonational and religious-confessional structure of the population of Volyn in the 19th century

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to analyse the general demographic changes of the population of Volyn in the 19th century to track the dynamics of these changes in each of the ethnonational groups and to find out their impact on changes in the ethnonational and religious-confessional structure of the population of Volyn. The research methodology is based on special methods of historical research – comparative-historical, problem-chronological, interdisciplinary, as well as on general scientific research methods – analysis of sources and analysis and synthesis, which, in combination with the principles of historicism, objectivity and a critical view of historical reality, contributed to the proper disclosure of the stated subject of research. The scientific novelty of the study lies in creating a holistic picture of changes in the ethno-national and religious-confessional structure of the population of the Volyn province during the 19th century. The processed documents and materials allow us to conclude that the ethno-national and religious-confessional structure of the population of Volyn after its accession to the Russian Empire underwent significant changes caused by political and economic processes. The main factor in these changes was the policy of the Russian government, aimed at neutralizing Polish and strengthening Russian influences, through stimulating internal and external migration processes. The result of internal migration was a rapid increase in the number of Russians in Volyn, whose percentage share among the population of Volyn increased the most. As a result of external immigration flows, numerous Jewish, German, and Czech communities are forming in the Volyn population. The Jewish community has experienced the greatest quantitative growth. Less long-lasting in time, however, no less dynamic was the growth of the German community, which by the end of the 19th century in Volyn was second only to Jews and Poles. Czech immigration to Volyn was the smallest in terms of numbers. Among the Poles throughout the 19th century, parallel migration processes took place – the outflow of large landowners and participants in anti-Russian uprisings and the influx of landless peasants from sub-Russian Poland. As a result, despite the quantitative growth of Poles in Volyn, there was a slight decrease in their share in the general structure of the province's population. Against the background of active external and internal migration processes, the share of Ukrainians in the general structure of the population of Volyn is decreasing.