SCHOOL IN THE UKRAINIAN SSR IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 1940S – IN THE LATE 1980S THROUGH THE EYES OF RESEARCHERS OF UKRAINIAN EMIGRATION

Abstract

In foreign Ukrainian Studies historians with undisguised respect and commitment to the history of Ukraine carried out their scientific work. They, mainly without access to primary sources, relied on the processes of early modern and modern times, the Ukrainian revolution of 1917–1921 and the work of historians of the interwar period. The works concentrate an array of primary and secondary information, which forms the documentary heritage of the Ukrainian diaspora, the organization of special collections in libraries, archives and museums. As for the post-war period, they actually acted as observers, critics and analysts. Their works were mainly based on previous scientific experience, the funds of the Central State Archive of Foreign Ukrainians, their own flair, intuition and information from people who escaped from the wheels of the Soviet Union. They viewed Ukraine from the standpoint of geopolitics, which always prompted it to the position of choice. She played an important role in history. Researchers considered the school an important part of this process. Scholars have studied the socio-political and economic transformations, and demonstrated the conditionality of political and demographic changes in the Stalinist and post-Stalinist era on educational trends in Soviet society. They also condemned the Communist Party’s policies against the inadequately well-off population, whose rights were constantly violated. Historians in their works have demonstrated the protection of the Ukrainian language and Ukrainian-language education by writers. They focused on the conditions (primarily ideological and political) of functioning, the activities of famous individuals and organizations, the deprivation of the rights of Ukrainians in various spheres of life and the dissident movement. However, there were not enough stories about the activities of the school itself, which is explained by the lack of access to archival materials and life in the USSR, which created obstacles to information and analytical activities. At the same time, it contributed to a more critical attitude (so to speak, “side view”) to the problem. The activities of historians in exile were aimed at supporting Ukrainian elements in the school in Soviet-era Ukraine.