Church land and rebellious peasants of the Katerynoslav region in the early twentieth century.

Abstract

Aim of the research is to analyze the conflict between the Orthodox Church and the peasantry in Katerynoslav Governorate regarding land issues before and during the revolution of 1905-1906. The relevance of this work stems from the necessity to critically reassess Soviet historical narratives, which frequently exaggerated anti-clerical sentiments and anti-church motivations behind peasant agrarian protests. An objective analysis of this issue enables the reconstruction of a more accurate representation of socio-economic relations and peasant motivations within the context of the complex socio-political transformations of the early 20th century.

Research methodology encompasses critical analysis of historiographical tradition, archival data, as well as demographic and economic statistics in accordance with the principles of objectivity and historicism. The incorporation of a broad spectrum of primary sources, including documentation from local authorities, church parishes, and peasant communities, facilitates a comprehensive, multidimensional analysis of the studied processes in their dialectical development.

Scientific novelty. Soviet historiography exaggerated the extent of anti-clericalism and peasants' desire to confiscate church lands. A significant portion of peasant landholdings was increased through legal purchase and leasing, which contradicts the thesis of a widespread peasant aspiration for revolutionary socialization of private property. Peasants utilized revolutionary rhetoric and acts of violence to achieve economic benefits, creating an atmosphere of fear and compelling authorities to make concessions. This research presents, for the first time, an alternative interpretation of the motivations behind peasant movements, revealing the pragmatic nature of their actions within the context of the region's complex socio-economic situation.

Conclusions. Actual conflicts often had a hooligan character and were aimed at creating an illusion of spontaneous uprising, which was used for economic blackmail of landowners and authorities. Contrary to popular belief, church lands were not a subject of interest for the initiators and participants of peasant unrest against the backdrop of revolutionary events at the beginning of the 20th century. The research results demonstrate the necessity for critical reconsideration of established historiographical paradigms and open perspectives for further studies on the economic motivation of social movements in the pre-revolutionary period.