LEGAL ENVIRONMENT FOR THE ACTIVITIES OF STUDENT ASSOCIATIONS IN RUSSIAN-RULED UKRAINE IN 1905–1914

Abstract

During the Revolution of 1905–1907, civic activism flourished across various population groups, with youth playing a particularly active role in their aspirations to reform the bureaucratic-autocratic regime. The student movement of that period emerged as a significant element of socio-political transformations.Examining the legal status of student associations is therefore a crucial aspect of this study. The research aims to elucidate the role of students in the socio-political processes of 1905–1914 and analyse the influence of legal and regulatory acts on the formation and functioning of student organisations in the early 20th century.The study concludes that during the Revolution of 1905–1907 in the Russian Empire, student public organisations with oppositional, loyalist, and nationalist orientations became increasingly active. Under societal pressure, the authorities were compelled to revise and improve the legal framework regulating student associations. A significant milestone in this regard was the imperial decree of 27 August 1905, which granted university autonomy. This decree temporarily liberalised the conditions for establishing student associations, revitalising their activities. However, following the revolution, the regulations of 11 June 1907 introduced restrictions on university autonomy and the activities of student associations.Opposition and nationalist student organisations faced numerous obstacles imposed by the gendarmerie, local authorities, and educational institution administrations. Conversely, monarchist youth organisations received substantial support during their official registration and subsequent activities. This reflects the double-standard policy of the imperial authorities towards student associations.